Issue - meetings

Report of Head of Environmental Services

Summary

To consider the Council’s response to the heavy snow in December 2010 and improvements to that response in similar circumstances in the future.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)               To note the problems and issues which arose from the heavy snow fall prior to Christmas;

(2)               To approve the proposed actions to improve the Council’s response to future severe winter weather events; and

(3)               To note that any proposed equipment purchased will be acquired within existing budgets during 2011/12

Recommendations Approved.

Additionally it was agreed:

(4)       That officers be requested to if the snow plan should be presented to a future Parish Liaison meeting.

The Head of Environmental Services which sought consideration of the Council’s response to the heavy snow in December 2010 and improvements to that response in similar circumstances in the future.

Resolved

(1)               That the problems and issues which arose from the heavy snow fall prior to Christmas be noted.

(2)               That the proposed actions to improve the Council’s response to future severe winter weather events as set out in the annex to these minutes (as set out in the minute book) be approved.

(3)               That any proposed equipment purchased will be acquired within existing budgets during 2011/12 be noted.

(4)       That officers be requested to consider if the snow plan should be presented to a future Parish Liaison meeting.

Reasons

The heavy snowfall in December 2010 was the greatest for many years and caused disruption to services, more so due to the effect of Christmas. A number of possible improvements which would make services more resilient in the event of heavy snowfall have been investigated.  Many of these are low cost or no cost improvements and involve procedural changes, better co-ordination or provision of better information.

A proposed priority of response and committing resources has been established. It is based on returning public services to normal operation as swiftly as practicable.  By implementing the action plan services will be more resilient for any future heavy snowfall events.

Options