Bramley Parish Council – Resilience & Emergency Plan

Helping our community stay safe, informed and supported during emergencies.

Bramley Parish Council has updated its Resilience & Emergency Plan to make sure our village is prepared for emergencies and can support residents quickly and effectively. This summary explains what the plan does, how it works, and what residents can expect if an incident affects Bramley.

What the plan is for

The plan helps Bramley respond to:

·        Flooding (river, surface water, groundwater)

·        Power cuts

·        Water supply problems or contamination

·        Gas supply failures

·        Severe weather (storms, snow, ice, heatwaves)

·        Major fires or evacuations

·        Public health emergencies

·        Loss of communications

·        Transport disruption on the A281 or Downs Link

It does not replace the emergency services. Instead, it helps the Parish Council provide:

·        Local information

·        Welfare support

·        Communication and reassurance

·        Volunteer coordination

·        A local presence during disruption

How the plan is activated

The plan is activated when:

·        Emergency services or Waverley/Guildford declare a major incident

·        An emergency threatens life, welfare or essential services

·        The Parish Emergency Coordinator (Parish Clerk) decides activation is needed

Once activated, the Parish Council will:

·        Alert Street Wardens

·        Begin welfare checks

·        Share information with residents

·        Provide updates from official sources

·        Open the Parish Emergency Centre (PEC) if needed

·        Keep a log of actions and events

Who does what

Parish Emergency Coordinator (Parish Clerk)

Leads the local response, contacts the borough council, coordinates wardens, and manages communication.

Chair of Resilience

Supports the PEC, oversees volunteers, and liaises with borough resilience officers.

Street Wardens

Provide local intelligence, check on vulnerable residents, report hazards, and help with communication.

Residents

Stay informed, follow official advice, report issues, and check on neighbours where safe.

Emergency Services & Councils

The Parish Council works closely with Waverley Borough Council, Surrey County Council, the Environment Agency, UK Power Networks, Thames Water, SGN, and UKHSA.

Parish Emergency Centre (PEC)

If needed, the PEC will open at:

Bramley Village Hall, Hall Road, GU5 0AX

The PEC may provide:

·        Welfare support

·        Information and updates

·        A warm or cool space during outages or extreme weather

·        A coordination point for volunteers

Flooding – What residents need to know

Bramley can experience:

·        Surface water flooding during heavy rain

·        Overflow from small streams and culverts

·        Groundwater flooding after prolonged wet weather

·        Occasional sewer flooding

The Parish Council monitors several Critical Flood Areas (CFAs) around the village and works with Surrey Highways, Thames Water, and the Environment Agency.

If flooding occurs:

·        Avoid driving through floodwater

·        Report blocked drains to Surrey Highways

·        Report sewer issues to Thames Water

·        Check on neighbours if safe

·        Follow updates from the Parish Council

·        Move valuables upstairs if at risk

Sandbags are not guaranteed and may not be supplied by the borough. Residents should not rely on sandbags as their main protection.

Severe Weather – Snow, Ice, Storms, Heatwaves

Bramley is vulnerable to:

·        Icy roads and pavements

·        Snow blocking steep roads

·        Fallen trees

·        Power cuts

·        Heatwaves affecting vulnerable residents

During severe weather, the Parish Council will:

·        Alert Street Wardens

·        Check grit bins

·        Report impassable roads

·        Support vulnerable residents

·        Provide public updates

·        Open the PEC if needed

Residents are encouraged to:

·        Avoid unnecessary travel

·        Wear appropriate footwear

·        Check on neighbours

·        Keep paths clear

·        Follow Met Office warnings

Supporting vulnerable residents

The Parish Council keeps a GDPR‑compliant list of residents who may need extra help, including:

·        People with mobility issues

·        Those using medical equipment

·        Isolated households

·        Temporary vulnerability (illness, injury, bereavement)

During emergencies, wardens will carry out welfare checks and help coordinate support.

Staying informed

During an incident, updates will be shared via:

·        Parish Council website

·        Social media

·        Noticeboards

·        Street Wardens

·        PEC information desk

Residents should rely on official sources and avoid speculation.

After an incident

The Parish Council will:

·        Hold a debrief

·        Review what worked well

·        Update the Community Risk Register

·        Share outcomes with residents

·        Work with Waverley and Surrey to improve resilience

Access Full Plan