Reference: D642
Decision Maker: Portfolio Holder for Lifestyles, Health and Wellbeing
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
The Gedling Severe Weather Emergency Protocol
(SWEP) outlines the measures that Gedling Borough Council propose
to put in place in order to mitigate the effects of cold weather on
rough sleepers. It is a DCLG requirement for all local Authorities
to have a specific plan to address rough sleeping during periods of
exceptionally severe weather.
The trigger for the Government’s SWEP to be activated is when
the Met Office forecasts three nights, or more, of weather at a
minimum temperature of zero degrees Centigrade or below.
It is proposed, however, that, in Gedling, the trigger will be when
the temperature falls to zero degrees centigrade or below on any
given night or when the area is affected by exceptionally severe
weather conditions such as snow, high winds, wind chill or
flooding. Accommodation will be provided for as long as the severe
weather occurs.
The purpose of this report is to seek approval to implement the
Gedling SWEP to enable the Council to respond to the additional
hardships faced by rough sleepers during the winter, and to
incorporate the guidance issued by the DCLG.
The Gedling Severe Weather Emergency Protocol is proposed to be in
place each year from the 1st December of any year to the 31st March
of the following year. The SWEP will remain in place for each
financial year.
1.That the Portfolio Holder approves the
Gedling Severe Weather Emergency Protocol commencing December
2017.
Approving the implementation of the Gedling
Severe Weather Emergency Protocol will enable the Council to
deliver a responsive service to rough sleepers or homeless
applicants without a priority need from 1st December to 31st March
of the following year to reduce the hardships faced by homeless
applicants during the winter months.
To not implement a SWEP, but this would be
contrary to the guidance issued by DCLG and could cause
considerable hardship for rough sleepers in the borough.
Publication date: 19/12/2017
Date of decision: 19/12/2017
Accompanying Documents: