Issue - meetings

DECISION

That the information be noted and the staff thanked for maintaining essential services during the extreme adverse weather conditions the previous week.

The Leader of the Council referred to the extreme adverse weather conditions that had affected the District on Thursday and Friday of the previous week.  Although the conditions had been extreme it had been possible to keep essential services operating.  On Friday the Customer Services team had dealt with over 300 calls, mostly related to frozen boilers and pipes.  Four of the Council’s gas fitters had dealt with 89 boiler breakdowns in the Council’s homes.  The Council’s 4 wheel drive vehicles had been used to collect essential staff to bring them to Appletree Court safely so that the Council could operate.

In addition, recent investment in ICT had allowed some staff to work from home.  The Council’s Homelessness team had operated this way and had successfully found accommodation for 15 rough sleepers during the severe weather.

With the help of salt provided by the County Council, this Council’s operational staff had worked hard to keep shopping areas, main footways and car parks clear of snow.

All but one of the Great British Spring Cleans scheduled for the weekend had been cancelled, with only Ashurst Bridge being able to continue. The remainder would be rescheduled to mark the start of Spring.

On behalf of all the Councillors, the Leader thanked all staff who had ensured that the Council kept going despite the most difficult conditions.