The Civil Contingencies Act (2004)
To comply with the Civil Contingencies Act (2004), we:
- assess local risks and use this to inform emergency planning
- develop, put in place, test and assess emergency plans
- put into place business continuity management arrangements for the council
- put in place arrangements to make information available to the public about civil protection matters and maintain arrangements to warn, inform and advise the public in the event of an emergency
- share information with other local organisations
- cooperate with other local organisations to improve co-ordination and efficiency
- provide advice and assistance to businesses and voluntary organisations about business continuity management
- further information about the Civil Contingencies Act can be found on the UK Resilience website
Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH)
Certain large industrial sites have to comply with the Control Of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations (1999). The regulations require operators of such sites to put together a plan to control any on-site incidents. We, together with the operators and the emergency services have a duty to prepare an off-site plan. This plan outlines the response to an emergency at the site that may affect people or the environment outside the boundary of the site.
Within South Gloucestershire we have three top tier COMAH sites.
Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations (REPPIR)
Licensed nuclear sites have to comply with the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations (2001). The regulations require us to prepare an off-site plan with the emergency services and the operator of any nuclear sites, and to make arrangements to provide information to the public in the event of a release of radioactive material.
Oldbury Nuclear Power Station in South Gloucestershire is a licensed nuclear site, and comes under the REPPIR regulations.
Major Accident Hazard Pipelines:
Certain pipelines which transport hazardous materials (such as large quantities of gas) must comply with the Major Accident Hazard Pipeline Regulations. These regulations require us to prepare suitable plans to deal with any emergency, which we do in conjunction with the emergency services and pipeline operators.
In South Gloucestershire, there are three operators of pipelines that fall under the Pipeline Safety Regulations (1996).
Planning Policy Statement 25: Development & Flood Risk:
This piece of legislation sets out Government policy on development and flood risk. It aims to ensure that flood risk is taken into account at all stages in the planning process to avoid inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding, and to direct development away from areas of highest risk. Where new development, is exceptionally necessary in such areas, the policy aims to make it safe without increasing flood risk elsewhere, and, where possible, reducing flood risk overall.