Purpose

To review feedback following severe weather (snow/ice/front/sub-zero temperatures) event in January 2025 and agree proposed actions for future winter seasons

Decision

That recommendations contained in Appendix C to the report, item Reference 3.3i to 3.3ix are approved to be evolved for inclusion in the council’s operational winter service response in the coming 2025/26 and subsequent winter seasons. Where costs are anticipated, these are summarised in the tables in Section 9.1. With regard to 3.3iii – greater use of mechanical equipment - confirmation is required following discussion with Head of Service Parks and Ground that the proposed Kubota the tractors can be purposed both inside / outside of the winter season when not required for snow clearance / gritting; if this is not confirmed / not feasible then alternative mechanical equipment is to be explored in conjunction with NY Highways (including both purchase and sub contract hire-in options).

Agreement that the interpretation of the existing winter service policy is such that the policy in its current form does facilitate pre-treatment of footways in main shopping streets where overnight conditions will give rise to black ice and / or continuous frost / ice conditions

Reasons for the decision

The recommendations contained in this report are aimed at enhancing the operational service response to more extreme / sustained winter weather events.

Alternative options considered

This report considers the proposals in Appendix C to be reasonably practicable having reviewed the winter weather of January 2025 alongside feedback received as part of that review (and again, contained in the Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Report of 11 July 2025).