SNP Councillors today called on Glasgow City Council to mobilise and support its residents to tackle the severe Winter weather problems and criticised the lack of community consultation following last year's experiences.

Cllr Grant Thoms said: "In March this year, SNP councillors raised at Committee the need for elected member involvement in preparing the next Winter Maintenance plan so that Glasgow wouldn't get caught out like it had in between December 2009 and March 2010. The Sustainability & Environment Policy Development Committee agreed to include elected members in the officer working group but the Labour Administration dragged its heels and eventually produced this year's plan with no real opportunity to input from Opposition councillors, communities or residents. The draft plan was presented so late in the day, the first snow was falling before the final plan was in operation.

"Frankly this isn't good enough. 200 more grits bins is a drop in the ocean compared to the scale of the problem we faced last year and now again this year. There are other solutions for clearing our roads and pavements such as saline and brine solutions which melt through snow quickly and work at temperatures up to -13 degrees Centrigade but it appears 'cheapest is best' in Glasgow. Meanwhile, able-bodied citizens of Glasgow who want to do their bit to clear the streets are left without so much as shovel or salt.

"The challenges we face are so great, we need everyone who can play their part to clear the streets, look after our vulnerable neighbours and help get the City back on its feet. Glasgow could create an army of Winter Wardens who could be trained and supported to organise neighbours into fast-responses to bad weather, as happens in some cities in England.

"At every opportunity, whether it is on Winter Maintenance or Climate Change in general, the Labour Administration has stymied cross-party proposals for various Working Groups and new ideas. Glasgow could have been well on the way to having the plans and processes in place to mitigate against more extreme weather but would rather play politics with their 'we know best' attitude."

Note:

At the Sustainability & Environment Policy Development Committee on 6 October, Executive Director Robert Booth stated that:

"his department in April 2010 had commissioned a ‘service health check’ by an independent consultant dealing in winter maintenance and their conclusion stated that

1. the service provided by this Council was fit for purpose and was in line with all legal and policy guidelines; and
2. there was possibly scope for the reduction of the number of routes via further route optimisation."

This report has never been seen by elected members and it may be worth obtaining under FOI rules if necessary.