Following the recent significant challenges brought by Storm Bert and Storm Darragh, Cllr Gareth Ratcliffe, Hay Ward members has praised the tireless efforts of council staff, especially frontline teams, for their dedication during these extreme weather events.

In a statement, Cllr Ratcliffe emphasised the need for the council to reflect on lessons learned, particularly in managing power outages, communication disruptions, and flooding.

He spoke about how these challenges underscore the vulnerability of certain residents, such as those relying on digital phone lines that fail during power cuts.

"The storms highlighted critical gaps in how we safeguard our most vulnerable residents during emergencies. For example, homes dependent on digital phone lines lose the ability to make calls during power outages. We need robust plans to ensure we can reach these individuals in times of need," said Cllr Ratcliffe.

Cllr Ratcliffe has called on the portfolio holder to prioritise gathering feedback from local communities and council members about challenges encountered during these storms. This input will be invaluable in refining emergency plans and providing practical guidance for councillors and community councils.

Cllr Ratcliffe added: "Local knowledge is a vital resource. By engaging with council members and communities, we can identify specific issues and improve our resilience against future emergencies. Our goal must be to ensure that no one is left behind in times of crisis."