Agenda item

Consider report by Acting Chief Executive.  (Copy attached.)

         There had been circulated copies of a report by the Acting Chief Executive seeking approval for the purchase and maintenance of a stock of small portable generators for use in communities during power outages.  The report explained that during Storm Arwen, which struck large parts of the UK between 25 and 29 November 2021, a series of large scale and prolonged power outage situations were created in the Scottish Borders.  After Storm Arwen, a number of post incident de-briefs were commissioned to harvest learning outcomes and build resilience for any future events.  One of the issues identified was that many of the village halls in the Borders that were used as general areas for communities to pull together and support each other, did not have any backup generators and were vulnerable should the hall become subject to a power outage.  The Emergency Planning team had been carrying out a series of work, both internally and externally with partner agencies to ensure that a robust and cohesive response to winter incidents could be delivered in the Scottish Borders.  Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) was responsible for delivering electricity to c.2million consumers across central and southern Scotland but had made it clear that when communities were subject to a planned power outage situation, they would not supply any generators.  While it was not possible to provide every hall in the Borders with a generator, it was proposed that a small stock of 15 of the largest output KWH (Kilowatt Hour) small portable generators would be purchased.  These could then be taken to a village hall or other building being used by a community during power outages.  Extension cables could be run from the generator to power small electric appliances, such as electric 1KW/2KW heaters, table lights, kettles, etc. which would give enough power to heat and light a smaller room as opposed to the main hall area of a building.  Allocation of the generators to communities needed to be on a needs/risk assessed basis.  In the event of power outages, it was proposed that an Allocation team be established, comprising officers from Social Work, Emergency Planning, the Communities and Partnership team, and any other staff who could assist in the assessment of the needs and risks posed to the community.  The generators would be stored in Roads depots and delivery of generators would be undertaken by the Roads teams or any other Service with access to a suitable vehicle large enough to transport the equipment.  It was further proposed that when each generator was deployed, it would be sent out with enough spare fuel for one refill.  To prevent the wrong fuel being added to the generators (which could be costly), it was proposed that SBC staff would refuel the fuel containers and ensure these were topped up when the generators were deployed.  Maintenance of the generators would be carried out by engineers in the Roads depots.  Members welcomed the proposals and agreed that community resilience groups should also be encouraged to acquire generators for use in their communities.  Members expressed concern regarding the Scottish Power Energy Networks statement that they would not provide assistance and asked that they be written to and asked to reconsider their position.  The Director of Social Work and Practice reassured Members that a database of vulnerable people shared with the NHS was kept and updated twice weekly. 

         DECISION

         AGREED:-

          (a)     to purchase 15 small portable generators and associated extension leads for deployment to local communities during power outages;

          (b)     that the deployment of the generators be managed through an Allocation team comprising officers from Social Work, Emergency Planning, the Communities & Partnerships team, and any other relevant staff who could assist in the assessment of the needs and risks posed to the community; 

          (c)     that the cost of the generators and extension leads be funded from Council Reserves; and

          (d)     that the Council write to SPEN asking that they reconsider their position regarding the provision of generators.