Emergency preparedness and response
Commitment 15:
Implement all Inquiry recommendations on emergency planning and response
Lead
Resilience.
Our progress
Where possible the Inquiry recommendations have been factored into the independent review of resilience commissioned by the council and our existing emergency planning and preparedness activity.
Since 2017, the council has achieved substantial progress in the areas raised by the Inquiry including:
-
humanitarian assistance
-
community resilience
-
data collection and dissemination within emergency rest centres
-
financial aid
-
quick provision of temporary accommodation for residents affected by emergencies
Next steps
We continue to strengthen our internal processes for the distribution and monitoring of financial resources in emergencies.
While we have created our own local processes and guidance around the Inquiry recommendations, we continue to influence and lobby regional resilience structures to ensure there is a standard approach across London. This includes coordination with emergency services.
When this will happen
A progress update will be provided in the next annual resilience report in April 2026.
Commitment 16
Include resilience responsibilities in senior contracts and recruitment
Lead
Resilience.
Our progress
Gold, silver and bronze responsibilities are part of the command structure that is implemented in emergencies.
The recruitment team has been including council silver and gold post holder responsibilities in employment contracts as a standard practice for the past two years. The list of these post holders is maintained jointly by the HR and Resilience Teams.
Formal employment contracts for recently recruited and new directors already contain new wording requirements around silver and gold command duties.
Next steps
All gold and silver commanders have been informally consulted and their job descriptions amended. Next steps will be agreed.
Human Resources will ensure that all senior officers meet stringent competency requirements, introducing resilience criteria into all senior level recruitment.
The corporate job description template now includes general wording that encourages staff to support the council’s response in case of a major emergency.
When this will happen
All senior job descriptions to include resilience roles and responsibilities by the end of 2025.
Commitment 17
Review emergency planning function comprehensively
Lead
Resilience.
Our progress
The review is complete and the final report has been received.
Next steps
The council will consider the report and recommendations and publish the report and an action plan, to be agreed by the Leadership Team.
When this will happen
The report will be published and action plan agreed by September or October 2025 Leadership Team meetings. The action plan will be in place by September 2026.
Commitment 18
Deepen community partnerships for emergency response
Lead
Resilience.
Our progress
This is activity that is regularly updated on as part of routines reports to the council's senior management team. The council's Leadership Team receives an annual resilience report, including a self-assessment against the Resilience Standards for London,. This was part of the external resilience review.
Since 2017, engagement with civil society and faith groups in emergency planning has increased significantly:
- over 30 emergency rest centres have been established in the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) and places of worship
- a community resilience post was created in the Resilience Team in 2022 and has built up good relationships with key groups in the borough
- annual community resilience events are held at local and pan-London levels and promoted to local groups
The previous few Annual Resilience Reports contain examples of Community Resilience activity.
Next steps
The council will need to consider any recommendations from the resilience review relating to community partnerships and incorporate these into a future action plan.
When this will happen
A report will be published and action plan agreed by September 2025. The action plan will implemented by September 2026.