Winter Management Policy
Document Control
Document No. POL-P18
Adoption Date Nov 2013
Last Review Date Apr 2026
Next Review Date Feb 2028
Parish Office
Whittle Hall Community Centre
Lonsdale Close
Great Sankey www.greatsankeypc.org.uk
Warrington enquiries@gs-pc.net
WA5 3UA 01925 712279
GSPC Winter Management Policy
1. Executive Summary
This policy has been adopted in consideration of relevant HSE guidance on adverse weather
precautions (www.hse.gov.uk).
During periods of adverse weather, the Parish Council will make all reasonable efforts to
ensure that facilities, including community centres, remain open as normal but will not do so
at the expense of the welfare of staff and the safety of members of the public.
Where it is practical to do so, paths will be gritted in advance of snowfall and swept & gritted
when snow lies.
Time and resources are limited, and only key areas will be managed.
It is essential that all Councillors, employees and members of the public remember that they
have a personal responsibility to take due care in adverse weather.
2. Planning & Authority
The decision to grit will be taken by the Parish Clerk in consultation with the Maintenance
Officer and the Chair of the Council (if necessary). The decision will be based on alerts
issued by the Met Office, local weather forecasts and advice from Warrington Borough
Council and will consider the following:
Expected severity of weather
Predicted length of the freeze
Planned use of facilities
Availability of grit
Availability of staff
3. Clearance
During periods of severe/persistent ice or snow the Parish Council will endeavour to clear
the access pathways to each of the Council’s five Community Centres. Priority will be given
to areas of special risk, e.g., ramps. It should be noted that in extreme weather conditions
where transport is difficult or dangerous it may not be possible for Council staff to reach the
community centres. It should also be noted that in very low temperatures the effectiveness of
salt is significantly reduced.
It is not the Parish Council’s responsibility to grit public highways, private properties, or car
parks.
4. Staff
The Parish Council recognises that adverse weather conditions will from time to time make
travel to & from work difficult. However, staff are expected to make all reasonable efforts to
reach their workplace. Staff arriving late will not lose pay provided that the Parish Clerk is
satisfied that their arrival time is reasonable considering the distance travelled and the
inclement weather conditions.
If staff are unable to reach their normal workplace, they should contact the Parish Clerk or
Maintenance Officer as soon as possible.
Page 2 of 3
GSPC Winter Management Policy
In the event of the Community Centres being closed, staff will be informed by the Parish
Clerk as soon as possible. In this event, Caretakers will be guaranteed their minimum 15
hours per full week (for those working five days out of seven).
5. Closure of Community Centres
The Parish Council will endeavour to ensure that Community Centres are kept open as
normal during adverse weather conditions. The decision to close the centres will be taken by
the Parish Clerk in consultation with the Maintenance Officer and the Chairman. Warrington
Borough Council may also be consulted with regard to school closures in the area.
In the event that it is deemed necessary to close the centres for the safety of staff and
customers, the Parish Clerk will ensure that everyone is informed as soon as possible and
given notification of when the centres are likely to be re-opened.
Centre customers may be given permission to have access to the centres even if the Parish
Council have deemed it necessary to close them. Such permission must be in writing by
prior arrangement with the Council and will operate as follows:
If it appears that at the close of business the weather the following morning may
hinder Council staff from safely opening the premises in time for the first users, the
Caretaker will be instructed to leave the building on the user lock only and not
activate the alarm.
The customer will be able to gain access using the keys they have if they feel that it
is safe enough for them to do so. This will be at their own risk as Parish Council
staff will not have inspected the premises that morning. The customer will be
expected to leave the building as they find it, locking it when they leave.
Under these circumstances the Parish Council takes no responsibility for the
condition of the premises or for the safety of the customer’s staff and their
members/customers.
7. Personal Safety
The presence of snow and ice presents Health & Safety risks as the potential for slips, trips
and falls increases significantly. It is important for all persons on Council property to take due
care and adhere to common-sense protocols such as:
• Allow more time for your journey
• Walk, don’t run
• Be mindful of slipping, particularly on ramps and steps
• Wear appropriate footwear with a non-slip sole
• Where possible, leave hands free to aid balance
Page 3 of 3