Agenda item

To consider a report on the findings of the Storm Arwen (Scrutiny) Task & Finish Group submitted to Full Council on 21 July 2022, which referred the report to Cabinet to consider and formulate a response to the Group’s recommendations.

Cabinet considered a report of the Overview, Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee, which presented the Storm Arwen Task & Finish Group’s recommendations at Appendix 1 to the report to the Authority’s response into the handling of Storm Arwen.

At its meeting 20 January 2022 Council debated a Motion in relation to Storm Arwen. Following debate, it was agreed that the Elected Mayor would; -

“write to the Prime Minister to raise our concerns with the way the situationwas

handled and to commit to providing funding to aid the recovery”.

“Launch a cross party inquiry into the handling of Storm Arwen by North Tyneside Council, including what work is outstanding and what lessons can be learned, and report back to full Council before the end of the municipalyear”.

The Elected Mayor requested that a review be undertaken by the Overview, Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee (OS&PD).  It was agreed that OS&PD would establish a Task & Finish group to review Storm Arwen.  In drawing up the Group’s terms of reference it was agreed that it would be appropriate for other named storms that occurred after Storm Arwen up to February 2022 to be included in the report.

The approach and Terms of Reference for the review was presented and agreed by the OS&PD Committee at its meeting on 14 March 2022.

All non-executive members were canvased to be part of the Group, and 8 members took up the opportunity to be involved. The agreed approach for the review was through two focussed sessions, which took place on 16 and 23 May 2022. On the completion of its work a report was presented at the full Council meeting 21 July 2022, where Council decided to refer the report to Cabinet for its consideration as it had the responsibility to implement any changes to the Authority’s Emergency Planning arrangements. The Group was supported by a team of officers who had key positions of responsibility during any emergency events, including severeweather.

The Group received extensive information to each storm event, which included the background and the Authority’sresponse, Command and control arrangements, Timeline ofevents, Summary of the impacts of eachstorm, Communication activity and Impact and work undertaken by Authority service areas.  The conclusion of the Group’s very comprehensive review was that resilience and emergency planning practice constantly evolved through experience. Through its review the Group had made a number of recommendations for consideration byCabinet.  The Group also recognised the significant work that had taken place during the storms - by individuals, neighbours, communities, responders, voluntary groups, businesses, and others who came out in very challenging conditions to provide help to those in need.

The Group concluded that the Authority was able to rapidly mobilise staff with the necessary specialist technical skillsets to support the range of requirements needed to keep residents and property safe.  The Group’s view was that the activation and effective mobilisation reduced possible further impact to residents/businesses within the borough and all staff involved throughout all the storm events worked tirelessly and should be commended.

Resolved that Cabinet formulate a response to the recommendations presented in Appendix 1 to the report as a result of the Overview, Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee’s, Storm Arwen Task & Finish Group review of the Authority’s response into the handling of Storm Arwen.

(Reason for decision:  In accordance with section 9FE of the Local Government Act 2000, Cabinet is required to provide a response to the recommendations of the Overview, Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee within two months. In providing this response Cabinet is asked to state whether or not it accepts each recommendation and the reasons for this decision. Cabinet must also indicate what action, if any, it proposes to take.)