Hello all, we're about to install a small deck at the front of our house, just off the existing concrete porch. At the edge of the porch, there are two decorative columns which appear to be made of large-diameter PVC pipe. We'd like to remove these columns. I have confirmed that these columns are hollow and not directly connected to the structure they are supporting. The spanning member appears to be doubled 2x10s. These columns appear to me to be purely decorative as they are not connected to the beam or porch, not centered under the beam, not evenly spaced across the span and the column bases are sitting on decorative brick instead of the porch concrete. How do I determine whether I can safely remove these columns?

I am going to finish adding a set of switch back stairs to my deck. The 4x4s post will be attached on the out side of the stringers and landing. The stairs are 39.5in wide. I am trying to decide how large to make the landing and where the railing posts would be located. After drawing it out, I think the option to the right is the best but appreciate any comments. Drawing isn't to scale. I believe the landing needs to be atleast as wide as the stairs. I was going to make the length of th landing 2x the stair width plus room for one baluster. Am I missing anything obvious?