Agenda item

To receive an update on the Regional Emergency Planning Service.

(a)       That the Chief Executive and Regional Emergency Planning Manager be thanked for the presentation; 

(b)       That the Regional Emergency Planning Service Annual Report be presented to the Committee as it becomes available; and

(c)        That an information workshop be held for all Members in due course.

The Chief Executive introduced Phillip Harrison, North Wales  Regional Emergency Planning Manager, and explained that he would give a brief overview of the Regional Emergency Planning Service before inviting Phillip Harrison to provide a more detailed presentation.

The Chief Executive provided background information  and advised that emergency planning for Flintshire was now provided under a Regional Emergency Planning Service which covered the six local authorities in North Wales.  He detailed the previous structures where Flintshire and Denbighshire had had a shared service. The regional service became operational on 1 July 2014 and only in North Wales was there an integrated service across Wales. 

The Regional Emergency Planning Manager advised that the Service operated from two hubs; the North West based in Conwy, and the North East based in County Hall, Mold.  He explained that there were 10 emergency planning officers (6 liaison officers and 4 portfolio officers) and two managers; himself and his deputy, based in Conwy.   The Service assisted Flintshire County Council in fulfilling its statutory duties under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.  The Regional Emergency Planning Manager gave an overview of the governance arrangements and said that he reported directly to the Governance Board   He also explained the command and control structure and the levels of operational management. 

The Regional Emergency Planning Manager advised that the Service aimed to develop each local authority to the point of optimum readiness.  He reported that emergencies could arise as a result of severe and unexpected weather conditions, transport, chemical, or industrial accidents, flooding, water pollution, and  terrorism.  He commented on the role of elected Members within their Ward and the need to provide advice and support to their local community in emergency situations.  He referred to the need for training to be provided around Emergency Planning for all Members to assist them in that task and it was agreed that he would liaise with the Member Engagement Manager to arrange an information workshop to be held in due course.    

The Chief Executive explained that the Regional Emergency Planning Service would present an Annual Report to the Committee for consideration in the future.  He commented on the need to improve communications with Members and advised that should a major incident occur then specific information would be shared with the relevant Ward Member in which the emergency had arisen.  

The Chairman invited Members to raise questions.

Councillor Ian Dunbar commented on the need to be mindful of  national and international events and referred to the recent NATO conference held in South Wales.  He raised the issue of flooding in coastal areas of Flintshire.  The Regional Emergency Planning Manager advised that the Service worked closely with the Natural Resources Wales (NRW) on a regional basis, the meteorological office, and with officers to identify local buildings and assets at risk of flooding. 

During discussion the Chief Executive and Regional Emergency Planning Manager responded to the queries and observations raised by Members around, press and social media coverage, cross-border working with Cheshire authorities and emergency services, and flood wardens/volunteers.   In response to a further question from Councillor Dave Mackie the Chief Executive confirmed that full debriefs on exercise learning during the relevant period would be fed into the Annual Report.   

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Chief Executive and Regional Emergency Planning Manager be thanked for the presentation; 

(b)       That the Regional Emergency Planning Service Annual Report be presented to the Committee as it becomes available; and

(c)        That an information workshop be held for all Members in due course.