Cllr John O’Heney Advocating For Community Centred Action Plan For Extreme Weather Events

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Local Independent Councillor John O’Heney is advocating that Tipperary County Council strongly consider adopting what he calls a ‘Community Centred Action Plan for Extreme Weather Events’

This Plan would utilise the support of local Contractors and Farmers in areas badly affected on the occasion of an extreme weather event to aid existing Council staff.  The Councillor says the plan would need to ensure such support personnel are insured, have Health & Safety documents in place and are compensated for their work.  Cllr O’Heney intends to submit his proposal in writing to District and County officials for consideration and offers to help to put such a plan in place.

The Council Executive agreed yesterday to hold a review of the preparation and response to last week’s severe weather at each District level with a Strategic Policy Committee to draft a report with recommendations for the County.  

In a response to a Tipp Mid West Radio query regarding numbers of outdoor staff in each Municipal District, the Council reports a total of 259 staff under the current agreed Workforce Plan headcount for the entire county including General Services Supervisors. There could be vacancies that would leave a lower number than the 259 – the Council staff  total across all positions is 1,122 whole time equivalents per the  2023 Annual Report.

Tipperary Cahir Cashel Municipal District has 83 General service operatives/Supervisors, Nenagh and Thurles both have 48 such staff, Clonmel has 42 and Carrick on Suir Municipal District 38 general service operatives according to the Council response.