The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (the Act) requires local authorities to maintain an Emergency Plan and a Business Continuity Plan to enable them to continue to provide key services in the event of an emergency. For security reasons we are not able to publish all details relating to our contingency plans and operational procedures, therefore the following documents are an overview of our arrangements.

The Corporate Emergency Plan details our role in the event of an emergency. It describes the emergency planning arrangements that are in place to ensure a correct level of response to any incident.

 Corporate Emergency Plan (956 kb)

The Business Continuity Plan provides the framework for the restoration of council services following disruption caused by a major event or series of events.

 Business Continuity Plan (619 kb)

The chances of being caught up in a major emergency or disaster are low. Nevertheless it might happen and this booklet - the Home and Family Plan shows you how you can be better prepared to protect yourself and others in the home.

 Home and family emergency plan (581 kb)

The government sent a booklet 'Preparing for Emergencies - What you need to know' to every home in the UK, in August 2004. The booklet contains practical advice on the steps you can take to help yourself and your family in the event of an emergency.

The Preparing for Emergencies website at www.pfe.gov.uk accompanies the booklet and provides online advice covering: 

• Guidance of how to prepare for a variety of emergencies that could occur.
• What to do in the event of an emergency.
• What the government is doing to protect the country.