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Following the devastating floods in Newry, Downpatrick and Newcastle, the council’s ‘Emergency Management Plan Report and Emergency Communications Plan Reports will be discussed by councillors at this Thursday’s meeting of the Strategy, Policy and Resources (SP&R) committee.
The papers to be put in front of the elected members will be: ‘SPR Report - EMP Comms Plan November 2023’, ‘NMDDC Emergency Management Plan Nov 2023’, ‘SPRC 16.11.23 NMDDC Emergency Communications Plan’, ‘RNIA (Rural Needs Impact Assessment) Emergency Management Plan’ and ‘RNIA Emergency Communications Plan’.
While all documents are listed on the agenda released to the media for this week’s SP&R meeting, none are included yet in the meeting papers provided.
The council’s response to the emergency in Newry in the hours leading up to flooding, little by the way of information, as well the absence of senior management on the ground in the city during the crisis and in the immediate aftermath - while they were present in Downpatrick and Newcastle - are all under scrutiny.
The absence of senior council personnel during the flooding in Newry was raised by Sinn Féin City councillor Aidan Mathers and Crotlieve independent councillor Jarlath Tinnelly at last Monday’s special meeting of full council.
Emergency Communications Plan Procedures
Also included on the agenda of this Thursday’s SP&R committee meeting is a restricted item which will be heard behind closed doors when councillors will be presented with a document titled, “NMDDC Emergency Communications Plan Sep 2023 Procedures”.
The paper is not available to the public or media as the item is deemed to be exempt under paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 6 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 - information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person and the public may, by resolution, be excluded during this item of business.
