Early start for storm plan

A COUNCIL plan for dealing with the impact of stormy weather was completed just in the nick of time.

For the masterplan for the region ended up being needed, and used, when Storm Amy arrived in Dumfries and Galloway last month.

It was the result of several months of work between Dumfries and Galloway Council, Scottish Power and community resilience groups to ensure the region could respond effectively to major storms and power cuts, with up to 80 warm hubs on standby.

So, the new ‘warmth and wellbeing contingency plan’ was in demand on October 3 and 4, despite still being in draft form.

Officials have revealed it was activated in response to analysis of the forecast outages and a request by SPEN (Scottish Power Energy Networks).

And 12 warm hubs were set up, along with a bespoke webpage with their sites and opening times, and additional useful information and signposting.

Councillors will next week be asked to officially agree that the contingency plan is used going forward, after proof of how successful it can be.