Minutes:
Members
noted, that in November
2015, the JRU completed the 3 yearly test and exercise with Flogas,
Llandarcy. The exercise successfully tested and
validated the Flogas external (off-site) emergency plan
as part of statutory duties under the Control of Major Accident Hazard
Regulations 2015. As a result of changes to the Regulations, the JRU has worked
closely with the local community around Flogas to
ensure they are aware of the risks of living and / or working near an upper
tier COMAH site, discuss any concerns they may have and ensure they have the
latest copies of the Flogas Major Emergency Safety
Instructions.
The JRU Manager confirmed that
a report had been carried out on this exercise and that this would be forwarded
to Members via e-mail for their information.
Other Industrial Matters
Members were informed that
the JRU is continuing to engage with partners in terms of risk at other regulated
locations. A site north of Swansea has
recently had its hazardous range extended and as a result, its borders now
envelop some significant infrastructure including part of the M4 motorway. Members also noted that the JRU continues to
engage with colleagues from neighbouring authorities to plan for actions
required should the reservoir system at the Brecon Beacons be compromised, as
detailed within the circulated report.
Swansea City Centre Plan
Members noted that a task
& finish group of all necessary partners is currently being formed to
consider the plan and it was confirmed it as an operational document. The
current road network of the city centre is changing, therefore, to place the
plan in a ‘final’ document would be premature, and it will remain as a ‘live’
document whilst works are ongoing in this area.
Counterterrorism
exercises and inputs from the JRU and WECTU working in partnership also
continue to take place. These deliver nationally prepared inputs in terms of
threats, and actions to be taken in the event of an incident.
Building
Security and Business Continuity
Members
noted that the JRU has been supporting the CCoS
Facilities Team to plan for partial or full movement of resources from the
Civic Centre. With the closure of Penllergaer Civic
Centre and the displacement of staff to other venues, this work is key to ensuring that with a reduced estate, impact on sites
can be minimised. It was also noted that
the JRU had been working successfully in partnership with South Wales Police
regarding a demonstration and IT issues illustrating positive engagement with
partners.
Major Accident and Hazard
Pipelines
Officers updated members of a
review which
had been undertaken of the plans for the National Transmission System High
Pressure natural gas pipelines as detailed in the private circulated report.
The plans cover the main transmission pipelines across both Council areas as
well as the UK T28 from Milford Haven to Gloucester. A similar review had been taken for the
pipeline feeding the GE Power Station at Baglan
Energy Park.
Business Continuity
Officers
informed Members that the revised BC process continues to roll out across the
Councils with CCoS’s Education and Social Services
entering the staff consultation stage. It is hoped that if successful, the
process can be rolled out to all services later this year.
Flooding Update
Members were made aware of a
number of flood warnings across both Council areas as outlined in the circulated
report. Partners were placed on stand-by should there have been a need for an
evacuation process to take place.
Other Areas of Engagement
Members received a brief
update regarding the JRU
engaging with the CCoS project to
reduce the use of paper within the Council and transfer processes onto
electronic resources. The Unit is providing advice on relevant business
continuity and resilience matters.
There is also ongoing work
with ABMU regarding exercising their plans for major hospitals in the area, and
the Joint Resilience Unit is working with Swansea University in relation to
their current emergency plans (displacement of people from their campus and
accommodation/rest centres) and future emergency plans (e.g.Gower
Chemicals).
|
RESOLVED: |
that the report be noted. |