14th January 2010

Extreme Winter Weather: Labour Call for Review of Council Procedures

Labour members will be holding the Council to account over their handling of the recent wintery weather at both Full Council tonight, and at Overview and Scrutiny.
Cllr Paul Godwin, Leader of the Labour Group, has put a Member’s Item on the Scrutiny agenda, which will investigate how the gritting and salting of roads is prioritised and how contractor’s staff are deployed in bad weather.
Cllr Maple will tonight be asking the Portfolio Holder about prioritisation of particularly hilly areas of Medway for gritting, following heavy snowfall.
Cllr Godwin said,
“Like all councillors, we’ve been inundated with calls from residents who have been stuck in their homes, had accidents or were just very concerned about how dangerous their road was.  I think everyone accepts that a comprehensive review of the gritting schedule needs to take place.”
“There is always going to be a finite amount of salt and grit, and so it’s vital that we prioritise roads correctly. We also need to ensure that all available staff are able to swap roles in an emergency like this, so more people can be out on the roads or helping with frontline services.”
Cllr Maple said,
“I hope the Council will listen to residents, and take on board their suggestions- they know the towns best, and which roads and pavements need gritting.  1 400 people have already signed up to the Facebook campaign, which calls for a review of the Council’s procedures, and I hope their views are taken into account as well.”