Perth and Kinross Council debates extreme weather response

Jan 29 2010 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A SENIOR official in charge of Perthshire’s roads has admitted that communications with the public “were problematic” during the recent period extreme weather.

Jim Irons, Perth and Kinross Council’s executive environment director, reported to the enterprise and infrastructure committee that “in no case was there a demonstrable failure to deliver the agreed level of service” to treat roads and pavements.

But he added: “We do accept that for a period of time there were some difficulties with the public making contact with our customer centre.”

Communications problems with the public – and the Press – arose because the worst of the weather came over PKC’s Christmas and New Year shut-down period which lasted until January 5.

Mr Irons told councillors: “I acknowledge it (the customer call centre) should have been re-activated at an earlier time and I am sure that is something to reflect on.”

But despite the frustration caused to many local residents unable to contact the council, Mr Irons insisted there had been no failure in service response.

He joined committee members in heaping praise upon the council workers, Tayside Contracts staff and public-spirited people who had worked so hard during the crisis.

Mr Irons pointed out that the council had followed its agreed winter service policy, devised to ensure that “transport links essential to economic and social activity could be used safely throughout this period of severe weather”, and “at no time were internal communications compromised at all”.

He continued: “Some lower priority routes, particularly residential streets, remained untreated for some time.

“As outlined in the winter service policy, it is not the intention and is not possible to keep all roads free from ice and snow at all times.”

The combination of severe factors, mainly extremely low temperatures between recurring heavy snow falls, resulted in the worst weather for some 30 years.

Committee convener John Kellas declared: “Most people appreciate the fact that there had to be priorities made. I believe we responded well.

“Throughout the UK our team’s performance was seen as excellent. But we are not complacent. There are some additional lessons we have learned.”

Committee members were critical of the public communications set-up over the holiday period and the actions of some members of the public.

This included mean-spirited residents who had ‘raided’ grit bins for their own private use. And Mr Irons scotched the myth that firms should not clear snow and ice from outside their properties for fear of being sued.

“Individuals taking reasonable care to look after the safety and convenience of others bear no such liability,” he said.