08/12/11…..Prepare for extreme weather now!

PREPARATIONS are in place in South Oxfordshire to minimise potential disruption in the event of extreme weather this winter and local councils are urging residents to do the same.

The South Oxfordshire District Council has supplied their shared waste partner, Biffa, with 40 tonnes of salt, some of which has already been used to fill grit bins at council sites across the districts. This salt will be used to keep town centres, car parks, leisure centres, mobile home parks, council offices and parks clear of snow and ice by the council?s street sweeping teams where possible.

Residents are being asked to make similar preparations of their own. Most good DIY stores now stock bags and sacks of salt and grit as well as snow and ice clearing equipment. A sturdy shovel and a bag of rock salt in the garage or shed would be invaluable if heavy snow were to fall again this winter.

The council is urging residents not to be put off from clearing any snow and ice from the pavements near their own home by scare stories in the national media suggesting they might face legal action should somebody slip on an area they have cleared.

The best way to minimise disruption is by working as a community to help each other, particularly those more vulnerable to cold weather and those who might have difficulty clearing their own property. Remember, snow is much easier to clear as soon as it has fallen.

Should the worst happen, it might be necessary for the council to cancel some bin collections. This decision is always taken with the safety of the general public and the waste crews in mind. If this happens, the councils will communicate alterations to the collection schedule directly to those affected through a variety of sources.

The best way of receiving comprehensive and up to date information is via this website which will be updated daily with up to date information regarding any disruption.

The council also operates a free waste text messaging service which notifies residents directly to their mobile phones if there are any changes to their service due to bank holidays and adverse weather. Residents in South Oxfordshire can register for this by texting waste then their usual collection day (for example waste Monday) to 07797 870370.

Residents can also find out about the status of the waste collection services by listening to local radio stations and keeping an eye on the local press. Biffa operate a waste hotline, which will run recorded messages detailing the effects of any disruption ? the number for this is 03000 610610.

If bin collections are cancelled at any time, any available crews and resources will be diverted to help street sweeping teams to clear town centres, car parks and other key public sites.

In the next couple of weeks, Biffa will be distributing ?bin hanger? cards to everybody in South Oxfordshire. Residents should look out for these cards as they contain their Christmas collection schedules and information about waste recycling during the festive period.

THAME Town Council’s Extreme weather policy :

Thame Town Council
Severe Weather Policy
1. Introduction
This policy defines the manner in which the Town Council approaches severe
weather conditions.
2. General Statement
Severe weather is defined as extreme high winds, flooding, heavy snow and icy
conditions, or heat waves. The policy applies to Town Council owned or managed
land. Individual landowners are responsible for dealing with their own property and
Oxfordshire County Council for highways, pavements, schools, etc.
3. Responsibilities
a) Town Clerk
The Town Clerk must identify and prioritise where action is required and allocate
the Council?s resources as effectively as possible.
b) Councillors
Councillors must ensure sufficient resources are allocated to deal with severe
weather conditions. They must recognise that employees may have difficulties in
travelling to and from work and the effect on their starting and finishing times.
4. Procedure
A list of sites which are most likely to be affected by severe weather will be compiled
and updated periodically.
Sufficient numbers of staff dealing with issues arising from severe weather will be
adequately trained, e.g. chainsaw use, gritting, first aid.
5. Actions
Town Clerk
The Town Clerk will identify and undertake the following actions:
Will assess the risk regarding severe weather and the impact this will have by
obtaining information from the Meteorologist Office, the Environment Agency and
Oxfordshire County Council?s website. During periods of extreme weather the
Emergency Planning Department will e-mail the Town Clerk providing up to date
information and advice. Severe Weather Policy 02.11.10 – 2 – Review 02.11.14
Will inform Councillors of the current situation regarding the severe weather. Will
ensure the Town Hall remains open and if staff cannot travel to work then
Councillors will make themselves available as back up to ensure continuity of
services
Will ensure the Council?s website is continually updated
Staff will be alerted to undertake the following activities depending on the
weather conditions and the associated risks:
o High winds – following periods of high wind, the following sites will be
inspected for damage:
 Churchill Crescent
 Elms Park
 Cuttlebrook
 Southern Road Recreation Ground
 Queen Elizabeth Circle
o Flooding ? during and following periods of flooding, the drainage ditches
at Cuttlebrook will be checked and cleared as necessary. The ditches
shall also be checked and maintained annually to help prevent blockages.
The stream through Cuttlebrook shall be checked at least every month
and large obstructions removed.
o Heavy snow and ice ? the Council shall keep a limited supply of grit in
order to deal with snow and ice on Council owned land when gritting shall
take place as necessary. Areas that do not belong to the Council will not
be treated in any way due to advice received by the Council?s Insurers
e.g. highways and pavements
o Heat Waves ? work patterns and tasks may be altered to avoid outside
work during heat waves. This is for staff safety, as well as to avoid
damage to plants through watering in daytime. The Council will comply
with any water restrictions.
o Plant, equipment, signs, PPE and materials shall be checked at least
every six months and prior to use in preparation of severe weather, e.g.
grit, chainsaws.
o Staff will endeavour to pass on reports about severe weather problems
outside of the scope of this policy to the appropriate body, e.g.
Oxfordshire County Council.
6. Records
The following records are to be kept in support of this procedure:
Safety Inspection Records
Time sheets
Training records
All records are to be retained for one year after the end of the period of severe
weather or until any claims arising have been settled (whichever is the longer).
The Town Clerk is responsible for ensuring the above records are retained and
eventually destroyed.