Rapid Response Agreed to Snow Problems

11.47.48am GMT Wed 27th Jan 2010

The two Liberal Democrat members of the Council's watchdog Scrutiny committee last night forced a split in the Conservative ranks and ensured that the Council will now hold a rapid review into the way it reacted to the recent bitter weather.

The Conservative administration had proposed a scrutiny review which would take several months and have had no chance of reporting before the end of this winter. But Councillor Jeff Brooks proposed instead that the Committee take an immediate look at the most significant problems caused by the harsh weather, in case we suffer such conditions again before the end of winter.

"I was very angry that the Conservatives were prepared to ignore the risk of more severe weather before they had decided what different measures the Council could implement to help in cold spells. We need to learn straight away the lessons of the cold spells before and after Christmas," commented Councillor Brooks. "So I was very pleased when two of the Conservative members of the committee ignored their Chairman's wishes and voted with us against the Conservative line."

Councillor David Rendel, the only other Liberal Democrat on the committee, added "Local businesses lost money because of the sub-zero temperatures, and many individuals could not get to work to earn their livings. So making our area passable as quickly as possible, not just for motor vehicles but for pedestrians and cyclists as well, is a vital part of our response to snow and ice. But we also need to see what we can do to improve the lives of all residents for shopping, going to the doctor and so on. We simply cannot afford to make the same mistakes all over again, if we have another cold snap in the next two months"