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The corporate management team have again been in dialogue with all services throughout the day and held a long conference late morning to understand where we are currently and to again plan for services.  I have used the email I sent to you yesterday with today’s update shown in purple.  This will make it easier for you to see where things have changed.

Gritting

We currently have enough grit left to continue cautiously gritting the primary routes. We are working with both our own services and those of partners (police, hospital etc) to prioritise gritting, use of the snow plough and also helping with the manual clearance of snow.

If the situation does not worsen we are aiming to get staff out again tomorrow to manually to  remove snow from vulnerable places such as outside the care homes. The staff and unions are supportive of this approach

Gritting - Update (Wednesday)

More grit has been received overnight and during today.  On that basis and again by prioritising gritting, use of the snow plough and by the manual clearing of snow we can continue to maintain primary routes.  

The snow plough is being used on the main strategic routes and giving support to the Health Authority and to the provision of key council services.  Overnight we have had extremely positive feedback from the hospital who were very complementary about the support they got from the gritters and the plough yesterday.  They said it had made a big difference. 

Gritting - Update (Thursday)  

Through AGMA we have been advised that more grit is available to us but we need to make arrangements to collect this ourselves.  Urban Vision and their contractors will provide the vehicles we need to collect the grit.  On that basis and again by prioritising our gritting activity we expect to have enough grit for the next four days.

Urban Vision are working closely with us to manually clear snow and carry out hand gritting.  The footways through the three main shopping precincts have been cleared and work is ongoing at Salford Royal Hospital.  Other priority areas are urgently being identified for treatment.

Overnight the Environment Directorate cleared areas in Clifton which were without gas.  This enabled British gas to complete repairs. 

Tonight the snow plough will be used to clear a number of our car parks allowing access for our key staff and services.  

Gritting - Update (Friday)

We have collected further supplies of grit.  Again by prioritising gritting, we can continue to maintain primary routes until the end of Monday.  The Department of Transport via Government Office for the North West now have the responsibility for the prioritisation of grit supplies in the region.

Refuse collection

We were virtually up to date following Christmas and New Year, however, there have been no collections today.

We are not planning at this stage for any collections to take place tomorrow. If there is a ‘window’ in the weather and vehicles are able to access the routes we will begin collections. Until then we will take a day by day view.

Refuse Collection - Update (Wednesday) 

It is now highly unlikely that there will be any bin collections this week.  Understandably the effect of this week will mean that it will take some time to clear the backlog.  We are advising residents not to put their bins out as this could prove hazardous on icy footpaths.  We will also make it clear that we will take away all excess rubbish so long as it is bagged properly when we next do the next collection. 

Refuse Collection - Update (Thursday)

Bin collections are still suspended.  However, due to possible fire risk every effort is being made to undertake collections in high rise buildings today. 

Refuse Collection - Update (Friday)

Bin collections are still suspended.  We did managed to carry out a number of collections yesterday from our low/high rise buildings.  This will continue over the weekend and it is hoped that by the end of Monday we will have made refuse collections from all of our high / low rise buildings.

A number of 4×4 vehicles are today collecting excess bags which have been left out on the street.  This is initially being undertaken in the Langworthy and Broughton areas as we understand that it is in these areas the situation is at its worse.  Other areas will follow.   

The Environment Directorate is now focusing on a recovery plan. 

Bereavement Services

In terms of Bereavement, we are continuing to provide a service (there have been two cremations today), but we are leaving it to families, and Funeral Directors, if they wish to cancel and rearrange, which we will accommodate.

Bereavement Services - Update (Wednesday)

This service is continuing to operate as normal.  The City Council has provided a 4×4 taxi service which has enabled cremation operators to carry our their duties.  Both cemeteries have been cleared of snow.   

Bereavement Services - Update (Thursday)

This service is continuing to operate as normal. 

Bereavement Services - Update (Friday)

This service is continuing to operate as normal. 

Adult and Children’s Social Care

We have today assessed all vulnerable adults who normally access services and they have been contacted personally. The 8 people who needed meals on wheels, have been provided with them and domiciliary care is being provided to those most in need.  We have checked all the 50 residential homes and are supporting the two that have staffing problems with suggested ways to deal with this.

For tomorrow we are currently assessing levels of individual vulnerability and continue to hope that the most vulnerable will get what they need 

(To note – we understand that Salford Royal Hospital was closed to admissions yesterday, and the A&E department is running on  a very skeleton staff. )

The Children’s Duty and Investigation team have moved to work from Emergency Duty Team, running a skeleton service. We have agreed with the police that any Section 47 referrals will go straight to the Police who will risk assess each case individually. All families due a social work visit today have been contacted - bar one.

Overnight and tomorrow both the adults and children’s teams will combine and work from the Emergency Duty Team office to provide better, more co-ordinated cover.

Our residential staff have been very supportive and are currently working double and treble shifts to cover where there are proper facilities to do so. Both directorates are now assessing where new staff can be brought in to provide cover and the Environment Directorate are looking at ways of providing transport for staff to get to and from the homes and Barton Moss where access is difficult.

Adult and Children’s Social Care - Update (Wednesday)

There have been no social care emergencies overnight.

The Meals on Wheels service is now operating normally.  All eight of our older people’s teams were operating along with our supported tenancies and Care on Call.  Mental Health services are limited but all efforts are being placed on dealing with all statutory responsibilities and this is being achieved.   

There are basic services in place in both our Rapid Response and Intermediate Care Services.  The Domicillary Care Service, although under pressure, is managing to maintain a service.  

The only adult services not provided today were transport, day services and equipment provision.  However it is intended that all services will be operational by tomorrow.

You may be interested to know that office based staff have been manually clearing snow from the car parks to ensure social workers can access them safely.

The Children’s Duty and Investigation Team have today moved back to Sutherland House, but are still running a skeleton service.  Overnight they will again combine and work from the Emergency Duty Team office to provide better, more co-ordinated cover.  

All residential children’s homes are covered.  This has only been possible through our residential staff currently working up to four shifts to cover where there are proper facilities to do so.  The Environment Directorate are continuing to provide transport for staff to get to and from the homes.

The courts service are closed which again will mean it will take sometime to clear the backlog once they do open.

To note

49 out of 57 GP practices across the city are operating today which is a big improvement on yesterday. 

Salford  Royal Hospital’s Accident and Emergency is operating.  It is hoped that Outpatients will be back to normal tomorrow.  Day services are aiming to get back to normal tomorrow.  The Council is working closely with the hospital on finding suitable accommodation in our residential care homes for those patients who are awaiting discharge and will need this support.    

Adult & Children’s Social Care - Update (Thursday)

Those Adult services that operated yesterday are operational again today.  In addition, we have also been able to provide transport and day services today, although limited.

Unfortunately we have still not been able to get the equipment provision operational but are looking at ways to enable us to do this as soon as possible.

We are continuing to work with health colleagues to assist the Hospital with those patients who are awaiting discharge.

A coordinated peice of work has begun to identify the most vulnerable in our communities so we can concentrate efforts on making contact with them.  A number of our services have already begun to make contact.         

With regards to Children’s services, most localities for children’s social care are now operational, with the exception of the central locality.  We are currently working to see how we can move people around to get staff into the central locality team in order for them to be operational tomorrow. 

Children’s Centres are open in Swinton, Mossfield and Lower Kersal.  Higher Broughton is expected to work for part of the day and the nursery will open tomorrow.

All residential children’s homes are covered but again this has only been possible through our residential staff who are currently working back to back shifts to cover them.   The Environment  Directorate are continuing to provide transport for staff to get to and from the homes.  Barton Moss is operational and the car park and access road will again be cleared as a priority.

Adult and Children’s Social Care - Update (Friday)

Adult services are continuing to improve.  Overnight work has continued on identifying the most vulnerable in our communities and this has continued today.  Staff from across Directorates are now coming together to provide support and every effort is being made on making contact with those who have been identified as vulnerable.  This will continue over the weekend.

With regards to Children’s services, all localities are now operational.  

All Children’s Centres with the exception of two are open.  However, it is hoped that all will be open by the end of the day.

The position with Residential children’s homes remains the same.       

Schools 

All  have been closed today bar one which opened until lunchtime.  This was primarily because of an acute lack of staff to open and run the school throughout the day as well as the difficulties parents had in accessing the trip to school.

Having considered this very hard the CMT’s advice is to plan now to keep the schools closed tomorrow. Roads and therefore access for pupils and staff will continue to be a risk and we believe it is easier for parents to plan for closure tomorrow with neighbours and family support.

Schools - Update (Wednesday)

Following a strategic discussion between the City Council with a number of Head Teachers including the President of the Secondary Heads our advice is that all schools will shut tomorrow.  There is a likelihood that schools will remain closed on Friday but a further update will be given tomorrow.  This has been done to ensure that parents and carers are able to make the necessary arrangements.  We have already received a number of positive messages from Head Teachers that the early clarity of advice and strategic view is very much welcomed by parents and heads alike.

Schools - Update (Thursday) 

Following discussions overnight and today with colleagues in schools and a number of Head Teachers our advice is that all schools should remain closed tomorrow.  Colleagues in Children’s Services are now working with head teachers to look at the operational viability of all our schools and see what support we can give to get them operational. 

Schools - Update (Friday)

We have and will continue to work with schools over the weekend to see how we can support them so they are in a position to open as usual on Monday.  The focus here has been on ensuring that the school is in a position to provide a safe and suitable environment.  All of our school have been asked to carry out a risk assessment, which includes an assessment of school grounds and buildings, will identify how many of its staff are able to get into school, look at how they can ensure adequate supervision during lunchtimes and play/break times and whether they are able to provide a school meal.

On this basis, all Salford schools are being advised to prepare to open as usual on Monday.  The advice is based on the forecast that there will not be a further heavy snowfall for Salford this weekend.

 Customer Services 

The Gateway Centres were operating today with minimum staff levels and the

Call Centre had 20 staff in who have been focusing on emergency calls.

Tomorrow we will focus all customer service staff on the Gateway Centres and the Call Centre, hopefully providing a better level of cover. We will ensure that the call centre and the front line staff have as much access as possible to all information about services. The call centre managers will have direct access to all CMT members to break through any communication barriers.

Sue Lightup and John Tanner are working with the PCT to try and understand what services they may still be providing.

Customer Services - Update (Wednesday)

The contact centre is operational with 42 people managing to get into work.  All services are now up and running although with a reduced input.  Corporate messaging is in place giving people as much information as possible on the disruption to services.  Directorates are currently identifying additional services that they could provide to the call centre to help once normality is resumed as it is expected that the demands on the contact centre will peak at that time. 

The Gateway Centres are open and operational and currently providing council services until 4pm.  We are working closely with Health colleagues to provide evening resources to support the clinical GP services until their usual close of business.

There are 80 people working on council tax and housing benefits claims.  Whilst this is a reduced service it is a huge improvement on yesterday.  Payments are being prioritised for the most vulnerable residents. 

Customer Services - Update (Thursday)

There have been more enhancements to customer services.  Corporate messaging is in place and is being updated regularly to give people as much information as possible.  

Customer Services - Update (Friday)

There continues to be more enhancements to customer services and we have received a number of positive messages from the public about our corporate messaging. 

The Gateway Centres continue to operate.  Yesterday we had 390 members of the public visit the Eccles site, 418 at Walkden, 603 at Pendleton and 128 at the Town Hall/Unity House.  Health colleagues are working hard to get back to business as usual with regards to clinical GP services. 

Over the weekend there will be a daytime service provided by the call centre which will operate until 4.30pm on both Saturday and Sunday.  This will support our Emergency Out of Hours Service.

Housing

We put in place a number of Emergency Housing Support Services Cover today for Care on Call, Belmont Homeless Families Unit ,Petrie Court and the Housing Advice Service.

City West have closed today and are only doing emergency repairs

These services will continue tomorrow and we are currently liaising with Salix to include information on their services for tomorrow on our website.

Housing - Update (Wednesday)

This is a much improved service from yesterday.  All of our services are now operating to some degree.    

City West have managed to work from area offices today until 3.30pm.  Emergency repairs are continuing.  

Salix are trying to provide most of their services but are ensuring that emergency repairs and gas repairs are given priority. 

Housing - Update (Thursday)

Again services are continuing to improve.

City West now have 75%-80% of their staff working .

Salix will stay open today until 4.30 pm.

Housing - Update (Friday)

Again services are continuing to improve.

Registrars

The Registrars service has been open today.

The  service will open again tomorrow and we will accommodate as many people as possible – especially where the registration of deaths is concerned.  We will also reschedule any appointments already made or planned. We will put a reminder of the necessary registration timescales on the website.

I’m unsure at the moment when the next wedding is – but no doubt it will be ‘all hands to the pump’ if it’s very soon ! 

Registrars - Update (Wednesday)

The Registrars service is today running on a basic service for urgent registrations of deaths but we are hoping for an increased service tomorrow.   Appointments are being made for later in the week.

Registrars - Update ( Thursday)

The Registrars service is again running on a basic service.      

Registrars - Update (Friday)

The Registrars service is operating from two sites, which now includes the Walkden Gateway.  It is again running a basic service.

Community Services 

Community centres and leisure services have not been not operating today Although a number of library staff did manage to get into work it was not safe to open the libraries.

Community centres and individual libraries will not be open tomorrow. Library services will be focussed on those libraries in the Gateway centres.

SCL are going to try and open a few centres tomorrow as they have local staff that can get in and support them. They will post the open centres on the web tomorrow.

Community Services - Update (Wednesday)

Community Centres have remained closed today. 

Because of additional staff numbers, the effect on libraries has been much more positive.  Only Clifton, Hope, Boothstown and Worsley have remained closed.  

Again unexpectedly SCL managed to open all Fit City Centres with the exception of the pool at Clarendon and Sports Village.   

Community Services - Update ( Thursday)

The position remains the same. 

Community Services - Update (Friday)

Community Centres are open and available but usage, understandably is very low.   

All libraries bar one are now open.  The library that is closed is Charlestown and Lower Kersal which is located in the Albion High School.

Youth Services

These have been stood down today and we are intending to do the same tomorrow.

Youth Services - Update (Wednesday) 

The Service has been stood down again today.

Youth Services - Update (Thursday)

The service has been stood down again today.  Every effort is being made to get the service operational tomorrow evening.  

Youth Services - Update (Friday)

A service, although limited, will be in place tonight.

Staff and Offices tomorrow

The public focus for service provision tomorrow will be the Gateways, the Contact Centre and the Registrars service at the Town Hall.

The Town Hall, Unity House and Crompton House will remain open and we are currently assessing whether it will be possible to close Minerva House if access is only needed by a fraction of staff as was the case today.

Strategic Directors will take a view on individual small offices locations based on the services being provided and whether staff are better clustered into a smaller number of buildings.  

Non essential staff will be encouraged to work from home where they can do so. Those who work in the essential services will be asked to liaise with their managers if they can get into work to see where they may be best placed (and where they may be able to access!).

Where staff cannot access work or work from home they will be allowed to stay at home and work back time via flexi system in the next 4 - 6 weeks.

Staff and Offices tomorrow - Update (Wednesday)

The Town Hall, Crompton House, Minerva House and Unity House have all been open today.  Importantly a larger number of staff than expected managed to get into work.  Importantly nearly a 1000 staff have been able to log onto Council systems and work from home.    

Like today, those staff who work in essential services will be asked to liaise with their managers if they can get into work to see where they may be best placed (and where they may be able to access!)  If other staff can make their way to work they should do, where staff cannot access work or work from home they will be allowed to stay at home and work back time over the next 4 - 6 weeks. 

Staff and Offices tomorrow - Update (Thursday)

The Town Hall, Crompton House, Minerva House and Unity House have all been open today.  Increasing numbers of staff are now managing to get into work.  Nearly 3200 staff have logged onto Council systems.  The staff position remains the same.

Staff and Offices tomorrow - Update (Friday) 

The position is as above, with the exception of staff logging onto Council systems.  This figure has increased to 4600 . 

The full analysis of services is continually being updated and is posted on the website and left on as many answer phones as possible.

The Corporate Management Team will all be in contact over the weekend and a conference call has been arranged for both Saturday and Sunday

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Councillor Mullen has been liaising with City West to identify local vulnerable people in the Barton area as not all people have internet connections and may not be able to access information on the websites. Most basic services have resumed and you can find advice and information here: http://www.citywesthousingtrust.org.uk/home

The contact number for emergency heating / repairs is:0300 123 5522. If you are in Barton and just need something from the shops or advice because you cannot get through to City West then please call Cllr Mullen on 0161 707 4519.

In Irlam and Cadishead,  Christine Hudson the Chairman of the Irlam & Cadishead Community Committee and Former Salford Cllr Roger Jones have issued the following statement:

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Your correspondent S Potts (Greenbelt Plan is Hypocritical, Letters, December 31) suggests that there is a conflict between allocating land for housing and jobs and reducing our carbon footprint. In one sense he is right. Everything that human beings do (including breathing!) generates greenhouse gases. The point is not to stop doing anything, but to make the right choices about the future which minimise greenhouse gases.

Paradoxically, new developments have a much lower carbon footprint than existing buildings. They are built to much higher standards and Salford City Council is insisting on rigorous planning controls for private developers. The Council is leading by example with its own buildings - for example, our programme to provide new high schools should reduce the carbon footprint of those schools by 60 per cent.

The Core Strategy will ensure that new development is built to the highest standards of sustainability that are possible. The Core Strategy will also demand that new development is accessible so journeys can be made by foot, cycling or public transport.

The Core Strategy also promotes ‘green infrastructure’ - the green spaces that are needed for sustainability. This does not mean sterilizing all land. It means making sure that new green spaces are provided in those parts of the city where there is a deficit. It also means safeguarding land that is important as a carbon ’sink’ - that is the woodlands and the peat bogland at the heart of Chat Moss.

The most sustainable way to develop our city in the future is to use ‘brownfield’ sites as a priority - that is, to recycle previously developed land. That is exactly what the Core Strategy proposes. But the forecasts we have suggest that using that land will not be enough to meet the needs of future generations for homes and jobs.

That is why we have proposed a minor amendment to the greenbelt with a 1.2 per cent reduction in Barton compensated for by a 1.2 per cent increase in Little Hulton. (There is no housing proposed on greenbelt land).

The site at Barton was selected precisely because, of all the options before us, it appears to be the most environmentally sustainable. The new Port Salford development means that there will be access by train and the new industry will be able to take advantage of the Port’s new road network rather than increasing the carbon footprint with additional infrastructure.

That is not to say that the Barton site will go ahead. The City Council is consulting on the proposal at the moment. No one would be happier than me if it could be shown that the site is not needed or that there is land available elsewhere to meet the needs of future generations. That is why we will work with local groups to test all the evidence to make sure we have got it right.

Our plan has to be honest. It must be based on the evidence that is available about future needs and how they can be met - not on whether they inconvenience one special interest group or another. If the plan is not honest, it can be amended by an Inspector at a public inquiry.

I expect one of the biggest debates at the public inquiry will be between the Council and private developers who wanted the Council to release 90 hectares of greenbelt land - rather than retain the the existing level with minor amendments as proposed by the Council. The Council has rejected ideas to release land at Worsley greenway, Hazelhurst Farm and more greenbelt land in Irlam.

Councillor Derek Antrobus
Lead Member for Planning

Telephone:
Office: 0161-793 2190

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I woke up this morning to a blanket of snow.

I realised that I needed provisions so, unable to go out in my car as it is on a hill and too dangerous to drive, I set about the preparation for a walk. Then it occurred to me I better check on some of my elderly and disabled neighbours. Most are fine, but even some Internet shopping deliveries cannot make it through, so I will be picking some milk and tea for one or two. I think they were happy that some thought about them.

So I ask, if you are fit and it is safe, check on your neighbours and see what you can do for each other! It only takes a few minute to show you care, and i know there is loads of care out there already.

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Not much has been posted in the last few months, but I am sure things will hot up in 2010.

I wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year.

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