Brighton and Hove City Council is undertaking a review of its preparation for, and response to, the heavy snowfall that hit the City over the Christmas and New Year period.
 
A cross-party scrutiny panel of councillors has been set up to look at whether the council’s Winter Service Plan, which outlines how the council responds to severe weather, is adequate and if additional action and resources are needed in future.
 
The panel will be looking at good practice from other local authorities and abroad and is keen to hear from residents with ideas that would help the city respond to future severe snow falls. The panel will be considering future options for the council taking into account the predicted regularity of severe winter weather and the financial implications of any alterations to service provision.
 
The panel will be hearing from council officers involved in gritting, representatives of the police, fire service and health bodies as well as the business and voluntary community sector. The panel will also welcome residents who wish to contribute innovative ideas or constructive views on how the council could improve its policy in response to severe weather in the future.
 
Cllr Warren Morgan, who will be on the panel, said:  
“We’ve already had some interesting suggestions for how we could improve how we respond to severe ice and snow storms; we’d be very interested to hear from residents with fresh and innovative ideas.”
 
Suggestions to date have included improve communication as to liability for clearing snow, information on the location of grit bins and how the council can best support local communities to help themselves.

The panel will be holding a single meeting to gather evidence and suggestions which will take place on March 17 at 10.00am in committee room 1 at  Hove Town Hall, Eaton Road.
 
If you wish to present your ideas and suggestions to the panel, first provide a brief written summary. The panel will consider all submissions before inviting a selection of witnesses to attend the meeting.
 
To submit your ideas or suggestions email scrutiny@brighton-hove.gov.uk or write to the Overview and Scrutiny Team, Brighton & Hove City Council, Kings House, Grand Avenue, Hove BN3 2LS.

The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, March 10.

For more information about Brighton and Hove Council view:
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk