COUNCIL TESTS DISASTER PLAN

Key council officers tested a 'business continuity plan' involving their offices in Lewes being struck by a tornado.

In the notional event, the council worked on how it would react to losing power, computer use and access to key buildings.

The strategy, which also involved working out the logistics of shifting council staff temporarily to Newhaven, was hailed as a success.

Cllr Elizabeth Lee, member for the community, said: 'As a council we are updating our business continuity plan which sets out how we would respond to disruptive events and maintain the key public services for which we are responsible.

'Our plan was tested recently in an exercise that involved responding to a fictional severe weather event affecting our main offices.

'We are now digesting the lessons from that exercise to help us finalise the document.'

The council is also working with other local authorities to encourage businesses to assess the unexpected risks they face, such as fires, floods, power cuts and computer breakdowns.

Around one in five UK firms suffer major disruption in any one year.

Firms need to plan for the worst and put in place business continuity plans to bounce back quickly after a disruptive incident.

Copies of a booklet Promoting Business Continuity, which gives practical advice, are being sent to firms all over the Lewes district.

Added Cllr Lee: 'We have a new duty under the Civil Contingencies Act to promote advice and assistance on business continuity.

'We are getting in early with distribution of this new booklet.'