Agenda and draft minutes

To consider the admission of any items of urgent business. New items of urgent business will be dealt with under Item 3 below.  

There were no new items of urgent business.

(Report of the Interim Chief Operating Officer). The report seeks approval of the revised Winter Service Plan for 2014/15, which details the Council’s policies and operational procedures for dealing with snow and ice on the highway.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered a report, previously circulated, which sought approval of the revised Winter Service Plan for 2014/15, which detailed the Council’s policies and operational procedures for dealing with snow and ice on the highway.

RESOLVED:

1. That approval be given to the adoption of the Winter Service Plan 2014/15, set out at Appendix 1 of the report, incorporating the proposed changes to Pavement and Carriageway Priority levels, and amendment to the grit bin network.

2. That it be noted that the Winter Service Operation Plan was reviewed no an annual basis.

Alternative options considered

The option to incorporate all of the winter service suggestions and feedback into the Winter Service Plan 2014/15 was considered. This option was not chosen because the plan is designed to deal with snow and ice on a priority basis linked to heightened levels of risk, the need to keep public transport moving, taking into account footfall levels and the presence of important public buildings. Some of the feedback and suggestions received could not be given priority because they do not meet at least one of these criteria.

The option to make no change to the Winter Service Plan 2013/14 was considered. This option was not chosen because the opportunity to improve the council’s response during severe winter weather would be lost and could lead to avoidable injuries and damage at untreated locations. 

Reasons for decision

During severe weather it is not practicable for snow and ice on every carriageway and pavement surface to be treated and made safe. Therefore, it is important to explain where we grit, when we grit and why we grit in any given severe weather event, the Winter Service Plan does this. The approval and adoption of the Winter Service Plan provides a mechanism to demonstrate that the policies, priorities and schedules for gritting have been given due consideration and approved at a level appropriate to the importance of the function. It is also designed to minimise the number of accidents related to snow and ice on the highway and forms part of the council’s defence when claims are received for injuries and damage linked to snow and ice.  

To consider any new items of urgent business admitted under Item 1 above.

There were no new items of urgent business.