COUNCILLORS have recognised the need to strengthen their multi-agency emergency response work.

Members of Dorset County Council’s cabinet have been considering plans to move forward with a permanent Civil Contingencies Unit (CCU) to build on the work of the Local Resilience Forum (LRF).

The LRF sees agencies from across Dorset work together to address civil contingencies and emergency planning arrangements.

County council leader Spencer Flower said the multi-agency response to the severe winter weather earlier this year demonstrated the success of coordinated work in the county but recognised more work can be done.

He said: “The recent floods and adverse weather emphasised how important this approach is.

“Our planning and responses require multi-agency work and we demonstrated that in spades.

“I understand it’s important all agencies in Dorset take action to improve our multi-agency work, even though we think it’s pretty good there are still areas we can tighten up on.”

Chief fire officer for Dorset Fire and Rescue Darran Gunter was also keen to see the plans for the CCU move forward.

He said: “I think we do a reasonable job with response and recovery and community resilience.

“Whilst we believe we do a reasonable job and we work very hard, as with everything there is room for improvement.”