Civil Contingencies Act 2004

The council has a legal duty to work together with other key agencies to prepare a response in relation to emergency planning. An emergency is defined with in the Act and could be of a natural, technical, services or terrorist origin.

The Act has two parts:

• the first dealing with national arrangements and

• the second with local structures and responsibilities for dealing with major emergencies.

Nationally, it would give Government authority to enact emergency powers and allow the police to deploy emergency powers in response to terrorist incidents.

Locally the legislation sets out the expectations of local authorities in terms of risk assessments, planning, business continuity and informing the public.

Regulations and guidance have been issued in relation to both preparing for and responding to such emergencies.