Emergency planning
Government activates emergency Bellwin scheme for storm-hit areas
Local government secretary Robert Jenrick has today activated the emergency Bellwin scheme for areas in the North of England affected by storm Ciara.
Future Forum North: Emergency planning needs boost amid climate change concerns
Emergency planning training needs to be improved as we face more frequent extreme weather conditions, Rotherham MBC’s assistant chief executive has said.
After the fire
Liaison with a wide range of sectors including emergency planners ensured a well-co-ordinated response after a ferocious fire at a listed seafront hotel in Eastbourne, says Tim Whelan.
Councils to make case for further Government flood funds
Local authorities are lobbying Government to provide support for flood-hit families and small businesses whose insurance does not cover the costs of their recovery.
Recognising the role of people power
Local communities are often the first responders in an emergency. Mike Adamson explains how the British Red Cross' new report calls for their role to be enshrined in law and help ensure a human-centred approach to disaster response.
Councils help Doncaster after sandbags plea
Councils clubbed together after desperate Doncaster MBC put out an urgent request for 20,000 sandbags amid warnings that communities could become cut off by flooding.
Nearly 100 flood warnings in place for South Yorkshire
A major incident has been declared in Sheffield today, with nearly 100 flood alerts and warnings in place across South Yorkshire.
‘Reform of this broken system cannot come soon enough’
The first phase report of the Grenfell public inquiry may have focused on the weaknesses in the fire and rescue service’s response, but there was much for local authorities to take away, says Paul Marinko.
Grenfell inquiry: Better communication between councils and fire services needed
‘Far better direct communication’ between local authorities and fire and rescue services is needed, an official inquiry has urged.
The cost of Brexit is mounting – what can councils do to cope?
Pawda Tjoa says the New Local Government Network’s latest Leadership Index has found the UK’s exit from the EU is ‘already costing local economies and key services dearly’.
Majority of councils expect to spend more on Brexit than Government has allotted
More than half of chief executives (56%) expect to spend more on Brexit preparations than the Government has allotted to their council, with a quarter (26%) expecting to spend significantly more.
Amid Brexit confusion, what about LEPs?
Would it not be better to build strong, accountable devolution across the whole country and hand powers, responsibilities and funding to the combined authorities, asks Heather Jameson.
Building from the ground up
Dr Jonathan Carr-West says the energy directed at Brexit could have been focused on other things - and councils should have a settlement with their communities so they can build a stronger national constitutional framework from the bottom up.
Local leadership has never been so important
Beyond preparing for the immediate fall out from a no deal Brexit should it happen, Lord Kerslake believes local government will need to play a key role in uniting the country again following one of the most divisive periods in its history.
Lessons from Japan’s recovery plans
The 2019 Japan Local Government Study Tour looked at how the country plans for – and recovers from – emergencies. John Rooney was part of the tour. He explains how UK local government could learn from their approach
We’re here when times get tough
East Lindsey DC took on the chairmanship of the Strategic Recovery Group following heavy rainfall and a subsequent river relief channel breach. Rob Barlow reviews the emergency response and recovery phase.
Council chief calls for reform of emergency flood funds
A council hit by heavy flooding has called for the system of Government support to be overhauled.
Government activates emergency funds for flood-hit councils
Whitehall has activated an emergency fund for councils affected by flooding.
£20m cash boost announced for designated Brexit officers
All councils will need to have a lead officer on Brexit as the government steps up its preparations for a no-deal.
Emergency planning has suffered under budget cuts - mandarin
‘Drastic cuts’ to council budgets have contributed to a lack of resources for emergency planning, a civil servant has warned.