Community Emergency Plan

SOUTH LEIGH & HIGH COGGES Parish Council

Autumn 2022

1. INTRODUCTION

The vulnerability of the village was obvious when there was an extended power outage recently so that central heating pumps did not work and central heating failed.  Communication was reduced through the internet failing and mobile phones therefore being unable to operate reliably.

The Parish Council believe that there may be other problems in the future which require the village to be better prepared than we have been in the past with the two other most likely problems being flooding particularly around the pub and isolation caused by snowfall. The Parish Council accepts however that all eventualities cannot be provided for but will be assisted by a draft plan circulated prior to this and informing it.

The Parish Council have prepared this initial emergency plan which will be kept under review and looked at each year at the parish annual general meeting with lessons learned from past experiences.

One of the main results of the start of contingency planning is the provision of a generator which will mean that there will be a heated haven in the village hall to heat basic food and charge mobiles etc. independent of the mains power supply.

It will be important not only to meet the emergency but to ensure that any one particularly affected should be assisted to deal with the aftermath and the consequences.

2. KEY ROLES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY

We think that it is sensible if there are clear lines of responsibility with members of the Parish Council talking the lead ( three councillors are designated as lead Councillors) and with other named individuals having particular roles in the implementation.

In addition to the Parish Councillors there will be a member of the village hall committee to ensure the village hall functions as is needed. A member of the parochial church council will open the church if that is needed and finally a contact at the Mason Arms.

A list of individuals and contact details are at Annex 1. It is important that not just email and telephone numbers are provided but postal addresses since the only way of contact might be through physical visits

This group will be known informally as the Emergency Response Group (ERG)

A member of the ERG (preferably a Parish councillor) will be responsible for communications with the parish and with others outside the parish – see 7 below.

3. POSSIBLE EMERGENCIES

The Parish Council will of course react to situations where the plan needs to be put in motion and there may need to be a initial rapid risk assessment.

4. BUDGET

There is currently no contingency budget for emergencies but all financial matters should be referred to the Chair. It is recommended that £1,000 be put aside as soon as practicable for an emergency war chest.

5. RESOURCES AVAILABLE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY

Volunteers and other resources

There will be a need to draw upon various skills before, during and after any emergency and the success of this emergency plan rests largely on the goodwill of volunteers.

In Annex 2 there are a list of potential volunteers with their contact details and indications of their expertise and any mechanised tools they could access.

ACTIVATION OF THE PLAN

6. RESPONSE/ACTIONS

This plan will be activated in a situation where the Parish Council acting through three members of the ERG decides it is appropriate.

ACTION

Local Place of Safety

The principal place of safety is the Village Hall which is under the control of the Parish Council but consultations will take place with the Vicar of St James the Great and with the management of the Mason Arms to ensure that, if possible, those venues are also available if necessary.

The ERG will notify the village of arrangements and try and ensure that vulnerable people and/or those without support are contacted directly and immediately.

7. OTHER COMMUNICATIONS

ACTION

The processes for communicating within and outside the community before and during an emergency are important and the member of the ERG will communicate with the villagers as deemed necessary and endeavour to contact the relevant utilities, local authorities or government agencies as required. A list of contact details are at Annex 3

8. RECORDING ACTIONS AND OBTAINING FEEDBACK

A report shall be prepared for the Parish Council for consideration at a parish council meeting following the conclusion of the emergency with lessons learnt and recommendations made.

9. AFTERMATH AND RECOVERY

As was said at the beginning it will be as important to respond to the aftermath of the emergency as the emergency itself and assist those particularly affected or particularly vulnerable by ensuring, for instance, that they receive compensation from organisations that may have caused the emergency.

Annex 1 – Members of ERG and their contact details plus other relevant individuals

Annex 2 – Volunteers

Annex 3  – Details of contacts for utilities etc

ANNEX 1

Leads and contact details: Co-ordination