Review of Extreme Weather Events in Perth and Kinross October 2023
Perth and Kinross Council · 31 January 2024
Back to Scrutiny and Performance Committee — 31 January 2024 and its agenda
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Perth And Kinross Council Scrutiny & Performance Committee 31 January 2024 REVIEW OF EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS IN PERTH AND KINROSS IN OCTOBER 2023 Report by the Chief Executive (Report No. 24/45) 1. PURPOSE 1.1 This report is to allow completion of the consideration of the report presented to Sctuiny and Performance Committee on 22 November 2023 22 November 2023 (Report No 23/232 refers). 2. RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 It is recommended that Committee: • considers the findings of this review into the Council’s preparedness, response and recovery activity during each of the three October weather events from Section 7 onwards • considers the updated improvement actions identified within the report and makes recommendations for any further areas of improvement (Appendix 1). 3. STRUCTURE OF REPORT 3.1 This report is structured over the following sections: • Section 4: Background • Appendices 4. BACKGROUND 4.1 This report is a follow-up to the previous report to the Scrutiny and Performance Committee which was discussed at the meeting of 22 November 2023 (Report No 23/232 refers). Link to meeting of 22 November 2023 4.2 At that meeting, the Committee discussed the arrangements in place over the weekend of 6-8 October 2023. However, there was insufficient time to address the remainder of the report which covered the two other severe weather events (18-21 October and 27-29 October 2023). As such, the Committee agreed to defer the remainder of the report to this meeting.
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4.3 In addition, further actions were agreed by the Committee for the improvement plan. These are shown within the updated plan, along with progress to date on all identified actions. (Appendix 1). 4.4 The new actions for inclusion within the improvement plan are: • appropriate allocation of the approved funding to communities to support resilience in terms of both training and equipment • this review to include a clearer and better tested ‘plan B’ for when something does go wrong with a piece of infrastructure • develop a protocol to share vulnerable people lists during emergencies • Invite representatives from SEPA, SSE and SW to attend a future Scrutiny and Performance Committee 4.5 All actions within the plan, including the additional ones agreed by this Committee are being actioned by officers in line with the timescales identified for completion. Authors Name Designation Contact Details Mark Butterworth Fraser Crofts Head of Environmental & Consumer Services Strategic Lead – Environment & Infrastructure ComCommitteeReports@pkc.gov.uk 01738 475000 Approved Name Designation Date Thomas Glen Chief Executive APPENDICES • Appendix 1 – Updated Improvement Plan
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ANNEX 1. IMPLICATIONS, ASSESSMENTS, CONSULTATION AND COMMUNICATION Strategic Implications Yes / None Community Plan / Single Outcome Agreement Yes Corporate Plan Yes Resource Implications Financial Yes Workforce Yes Asset Management (land, property, IST) None Assessments Equality Impact Assessment None Strategic Environmental Assessment None Sustainability (community, economic, environmental) None Legal and Governance Yes Risk None Consultation Internal Yes External None Communication Communications Plan None 1. Strategic Implications Corporate Plan 1.1 This report supports the following objectives within the Corporate Plan:- • tackling climate change and supporting sustainable places • developing a resilient, stronger and greener local economy • protecting and caring for our most vulnerable people • working in partnership with communities 2. Resource Implications Financial 2.1 The Council incurred a number of additional costs in response to the winter flooding events, mainly in the form of officer time, over time and call out allowance. The Council also incurred costs as a result of, for example of the damage to the Glen Lyon road. 2.2 The recommendations in this report could have financial implications, however the exact extent of these cannot be quantified until a more detailed analysis is undertaken.
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Workforce 2.3 The recommendations in this report could have implications for Council officers, and those within the Roads Maintenance Partnership, however the exact extent of these cannot be quantified until a more detailed analysis is undertaken. Asset Management (land, property, IT) 2.4 None. 3. Assessments 3.1 The Impact and Value Assessment Tool has been completed for this paper, with the following findings: 3.2 Under the Equality Act 2010, the Council is required to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between equality groups. Carrying out Equality Impact Assessments for plans and policies allows the Council to demonstrate that it is meeting these duties. The Equality Impact Assessment undertaken in relation to this report can be viewed clicking here. (i) Assessed as not relevant for the purposes of EqIA Strategic Environmental Assessment 3.3 The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 places a duty on the Council to identify and assess the environmental consequences of its proposals. 3.4 However, no action is required as the Act does not apply to the matters presented in this report. This is because the Committee are requested to note the contents of the report only and the Committee are not being requested to approve, adopt or agree to an action or to set the framework for future decisions. Sustainability 3.5 Under the provisions of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 the Council has to discharge its duties in a way which contributes to the achievement of sustainable development. Under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 the Council also has a duty relating to climate change and, in exercising its functions must act: • in the way best calculated to delivery of the Act’s emissions reduction targets; • in the way best calculated to deliver any statutory adaptation programmes; and • in a way that it considers most sustainable.
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Legal and Governance 3.6 Officers from Legal and Governance have been consulted in the preparation of this report. Risk 3.7 Not applicable. 4. Consultation Internal 4.1 Officers from a number of services involved in the preparedness, response and communications with regard to the recent extreme weather events have contributed to this drafting of this report. External 4.2 None. 5. Communication 5.1 Not applicable. 2. BACKGROUND PAPERS 2.1 Perth Flood Scheme Operating Manual