With weather events becoming increasingly severe and frequent due to climate change and now presenting a risk all year-round, our services may be called on at any time to keep roads moving and support vulnerable residents.
A comprehensive report detailing the weather response arrangements across services will be considered by members of the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee next week. It sets out the proactive approach taken to ensure the Council is prepared to support the community through any weather-related challenges, regardless of the season, and the work undertaken with partners in preparing, responding to and recovering from any incidents.
Committee Convener, Councillor Richard Watters, emphasised the importance of adapting to the changing climate. He said: "The reality of climate change means that severe weather can strike at any time, not just in the winter months. This report reassures us that while the scale and impact of these weather events may be unpredictable, the Council has reasonable and pragmatic arrangements in place all year round to support the people of Perth and Kinross."
As well as detailing arrangements by teams responsible for managing roads, education, adult social care and flood risk management strategy, the report also provides details about how the Council works with community resilience groups to support local responses in all types of incidents, from snow/ice to power outages. These groups are particularly well-established and have proven effective in areas where there is a known risk of flooding during heavy rainfall.
Vice-Convener, Councillor Liz Barrett, highlighted the collaborative efforts and the role of the community in resilience. She said: "This comprehensive report gives both councillors and residents assurance about the Council's preparedness for severe weather events. The established Community Resilience Groups are a fantastic resource in their areas, and more are being set up all the time. However, it is also crucial for our individual households and property owners to take responsibility for their own resilience. Being prepared and having a plan can make a significant difference in how we all cope with and recover from these events."
The Year-Round Weather Events Response report includes improvements and developments from the Severe Weather Improvement Plan prompted by last October's flooding events. That improvement plan has been reported and discussed at the Council's Scrutiny and Performance Committee in detail in various meetings from November to June.
Share this page
