Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report which summarised the operational response of the Council and its partners to the recent severe late winter weather in March and outlined the measures and costs of recovery and repair, and to invite Member comment to complete a local debrief and learning exercise. 

The Chief Executive explained that North East Wales had, according to records, suffered the heaviest and most prolonged snowfall for around 30 years.  The prolonged and repeated snowfall, along with freezing temperatures, caused severe disruption and considerable damage to roads, boundaries, trees and buildings.

The Council responded by enacting its business continuity plans for critical services and worked with its partners, including Health and the emergency services, to prevent and manage incidents and to ensure safe passage for emergency vehicles.

Overall, the response of the Council was effective in exceptional climatic conditions.  A number of operational teams performed exceptionally with dedication to maintain critical services.

The costs of the operational period were considerable and would exceed budget provision.  The costs of the recovery period would equally be considerable, in particular road repairs, boundary fence reinstatement and tree repair and clearance, and council housing repairs.  All costs would need to be met corporately as a special incident.  However, contact had been made with Welsh Government (WG) for possible financial assistance under the national emergencies scheme.

Members praised the work of the staff across the services and it was agreed that feedback should be given.  Members also praised the work of the general public who came to the assistance of others and also the external contractors who had been employed to assist.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the debrief report be noted;

(b)       That elected Members of town and community councils be sent a copy of a debrief report with the options for structured feedback to share experiences and possible future solutions to support the business continuity plans; and

(c)        That the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader be given delegated authority to authorise additional expenditure, within overall available resources, for the emergency costs of the operational and recovery phases.