AT their latest meeting, Stonehaven and District Community Council, SDCC, agreed to purchase a generator to ensure a place of warmth in the town and the ability to provide refreshment at times of crisis.
It is important for households and communities to maintain basic functionality if struck by an extreme weather event such as flooding or a power cut.
At last week’s meeting, chair David Lawman introduced the subject of community resilience by reminding everyone we should all prepare a basic emergency kit and supply of provisions. Aberdeenshire Council echo government guidelines indicating we should have capacity for 72 hours self reliance.
Planned community resilience through the provision of hubs has been encouraged. This may be needed to bridge the gap between what householders can do for themselves and the Council’s respose, which could be delayed if it is dealing with a significant event across the region.
For some time, SDCC has been in working on their resilience plan – and have agreed access to the halls at both Fetteresso and St James Church. At Tuesday’s meeting, members of the coummunit council heard there were technical difficulties in purchasing a generator that could be used at Fetteresso due to its three-phase power requirement.
Jim Stephen warned his colleagues such a generator would be very large and require a fork-lift to maneouvre. There were also discussions about the need to store, maintain and regularly turn over any generator – so perhaps it should also be used at community events.
With this in mind, and with some £4,500 remaining in the bank from a recent award from SSEN, the committee voted to pursue the purchase of a smaller, more portable generator.