Perth and Kinross councillors have expressed their satisfaction with the measures put in place to prevent a recurrence of the open floodgate incident that occurred last year. The incident, which took place on October 8, 2023, saw several floodgates in Perth left open during severe weather conditions, leading to flooding in numerous properties, including the now-closed Bell’s Sports Centre which suffered extensive damage amounting to £2 million.
A review of Perth and Kinross Council’s response to severe weather events was presented at a meeting of the council’s Scrutiny and Performance Committee on December 18. The report highlighted issues such as inadequate staffing and the unexpected severity of the weather event, which compromised the effectiveness of the response. It was acknowledged that not following the protocol to close certain floodgates over the weekend of October 6 to 8, 2023, was a mistake.
Fraser Crofts, the council’s strategic lead for Environment and Infrastructure, assured councillors that comprehensive measures have been implemented to prevent a repeat of last year’s events. These measures include the procurement of lightweight barriers and additional training for staff to handle gate closures and provide assistance when needed.
Conservative councillor Angus Forbes commended the report, stating that while the council cannot undo the damage caused by the incident, they have taken necessary steps to prevent such occurrences in the future. He emphasized the importance of accountability and learning from past mistakes to ensure better preparedness for future events.
Labour councillor Alasdair Bailey welcomed the thoroughness of the review and stressed the importance of not only identifying problems but also proposing solutions to prevent recurrences. SNP councillor Jack Welch expressed support for the improvements being made and emphasised the need to adapt to changing climate conditions.
In conclusion, the council convener, Independent councillor Colin Stewart, underscored the significance of conducting scrutiny reviews to learn from past events and improve resilience. He commended the committee for contributing additional recommendations to enhance the council’s response to weather-related incidents, including fostering community resilience groups.
In their responses, councillors highlighted the importance of proactive measures, continuous learning, and community engagement to enhance the council’s preparedness for future weather-related challenges. The commitment to implementing changes and learning from past mistakes was a key theme throughout the discussions.
In essence, the councillors’ responses reflect a collaborative effort to address vulnerabilities in the council’s response to severe weather events and strengthen their capacity to mitigate risks and protect the community from potential future disasters.