Decision details

The Chair welcomed Paula Bull, Resilience Service Delivery Manager; and Mark Taylor, Emergency Planning Manager, to the meeting.

The report presented explained that over recent years the Resilience Team within the Health, Safety & Resilience Service (HS&R) had, within the confines of delivering work to meet statutory responsibilities (Civil Contingencies Act) and satisfy external regulators and partnerships, continued to develop and improve the preparedness of the county council.

The report summarised the current position of the county council with respect to preparedness in these arenas and was broken down for ease into specific functional areas.

Members enquired how businesses were supported in emergency situations.

Part of the Resilience Team's responsibilities was to provide support to people affected during an emergency and this was done through an Emergency Response Group. This was a group made up of volunteers who would provide emotional and practical support to people impacted by an emergency. The volunteers were LCC staff or ex-employees. There were over 70 members in the group.

It was highlighted that support materials for schools had been developed. The School Emergency Plan Template had been reviewed and refreshed and was uploaded onto the School's Portal in June 2017. Further discussions were underway around a training package teachers could use with primary school children about resilience.

Members enquired what support there was for businesses badly affected in emergency situations. It was confirmed that discussions would take place between authorities in two-tiered authority areas to see who would take the lead in support of businesses. If more than two districts were affected then LCC would step in and lead. LCC would provide business continuity advice before emergency situations occurred.

The question of the team's resilient capacity for responding to wide scale emergencies was raised. Members were advised that when there was a wide scale event, there was a strategic group which came together for response. All affected district councils were in this group along with LCC. It was important to identify needs and respond accordingly. Emergency response teams now wore tabards so they could be easily identified.

In terms of preparedness, Members asked how LCC supported the volunteer groups. The Resilience Team provided training for these groups, advised on assistance and signposted to funding. It was important to link the groups into LCC's response. In addition there was a substantial support package in place for these volunteer groups.

It was noted that flood action groups had their own updated lists of vulnerable people and the question was raised as to what contact the Resilience Team had with these groups. Members were advised that community involvement and resilience groups were largely driven by experience of emergencies.

It was pointed out to the Committee that the Resilience Team operated in compliance with the law. Scrutiny for the CoMAH Regulations and the REPPIR Regulations for nuclear and chemical sites was done by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Environment Agency (EA) and gave the Resilience Team a rating. The CCA was currently not under any scrutiny from central government. There was a Resilience Capability Survey carried out every two years which reviewed LCC against other local authorities in the country

It was noted that the Resilience Team was doing considerable work on emergency responses with local groups. The committee stated it would be a good idea to link county councillors into the work being done with local groups.

The Resilience Team was working on better publicity and promotion for its 'Stay in the Know' website. The website had been running through the Lancashire Resilience Forum for about two years.

Resolved: That;

  i.  The report presented be noted.

  ii.   It be noted that the Authority is currently meeting all its legal and contractual requirements in relation to resilience (emergency preparedness).