A limited response is expected from community groups to be involved in keeping Argyll and Bute’s streets clear in winter, a council official has admitted.
A report on the council’s winter maintenance programme gave details of the community resilience scheme, which would see communities help the council to grit pavements during winter.
But Jim Smith, the authority’s roads and amenity services manager, said very little progress had been made due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The discussion took place at a meeting of the council’s environment, development and infrastructure committee yesterday.
Cllr Robin Currie, the committee’s chair, called for the council to be asking community groups themselves instead of awaiting feedback.
He said: “I am strong on communication and in this case, we have to be proactive and start the conversations with community groups and community councils.
“We must see what can be done, rather than wait for groups to come to us.”
He was speaking after Kintyre councillor John Armour sought more information on how the programme would operate.
Cllr Armour said: “How many groups are you in consultation with on taking on some of this work themselves?
“You have already indicated what they will be provided with, but my concern is that we are not used to heavy frost and snow.
“When we do get it, if footways are not treated fairly quickly then it turns to ice and it becomes very difficult to treat them.
“Can we give the groups we are working with some reassurance of some early intervention to stop paths becoming almost impossible to work on?”
Mr Smith responded: “We have a limited number of groups who we are starting to engage with, but very little work has been done so far because we have been preoccupied by Covid-19, which has closed down many elements of work.
“If groups are able to mobilise we will work with them, but I think we will have a limited number to be honest.
“We must ensure we have adequate training, and we have not seen much of an uptake for the first year.
“We have liaised with other authorities who have had similar initiatives in place for a number of years.
“It has been a bit of a slow burner and I am not envisaging a situation where we have a significant number of volunteers able to do a vast amount.
“But if we see success in one area in year one, hopefully that will snowball and we will see more and more take it up.”
Cllr Armour then asked: “If we do get volunteers, will they be given apparatus that they can spread salt or grit with, or does it all have to be done by hand?”
Mr Smith said: “It is horses for courses, really. It depends on what groups are able and willing to do.
“We have looked at small spreaders which school janitors use. They are quite manoeuvrable with 25 to 30kg of grit.
“In some locations, quad bike spreaders might be useful, but that is only if communities have them available.
“During past employment in a different place, we used a number of firms who had different equipment. It really depends on what is available locally.”
A report made available before the meeting said: “There is ongoing engagement with area committee members regarding the current policy.
“At the time of writing this report engagement has taken place with most area committees, feedback will be given to a future meeting of each individual area committee/business day.
“As part of the 2019/20 year budget settlement, the council allocated an additional £500,000 to offset historic overspends. £50,000 of this funding has been allocated to help improve community resilience during winter conditions.
“As part of the community resilience proposal, as an initial step we aim to better engage with our local communities and involve them in our winter maintenance programme.
“Where possible, this will involve empowering communities to work with the council during winter weather events.”
The community resilience programme was unveiled at the environment, development and infrastructure committee’s meeting 12 months ago.
We are willing and able to help with snow clearance
Why not let the big fat cat council leaders on 100 grand plus a year come and help? Or bet still put them on a more realistic wage and then money will be available to employ the correct qualified and fully insured people to carry out a safe and satisfactory job.