Post-TEEEOSC Officer Response To Member Comments In Appendix A

TEEOSC Minutes Member comments	September 2025 Officer Comments
The lack of gritting on footpaths was a concern, especially in urban areas and new developments with unadopted roads.	Enhancements to existing service proposed as outlined above within extent of adopted highway network. NB; this will not include unadopted (or private) roads
The absence of grit bins or their rapid depletion was noted, along with confusion over liability for snow clearance by community partnerships	As per TEEEOSC minutes, It was clarified that liability for claims from third parties using North Yorkshire roads and footways rests with the council, apart from instances where the parish or town council (or member of the public) acted in a negligent manner. QR code stickers will be introduced to facilitate replenishment requests. Guidance on use of salt from bins to be included in wider comms messaging
The Committee discussed the importance of engaging parish and town councils and community organisations in winter preparedness. Suggestions included providing equipment through councillor locality budgets, clearer guidance on the Community Gritting Partnerships scheme, and better visibility of salt bin locations via the Council’s website. Members also called or improved emergency contact protocols and signage, particularly for out-of-hours incidents.	NYC will encourage and promote winter preparedness, including engagement with local communities. It is Members’ prerogative regarding how they utilise locality budgets; this could include supporting community gritting groups. During the TEEEOSC meeting, Members were reminded of existing out of hours protocols / contacts for out of hours incidents, including winter events.
Concerns were raised about the disparity in service levels across different areas, particularly Selby, and the need for consistent treatment based on climatic domains. Officers confirmed that treatment decisions are made on a local area basis when hazard forecasts are triggered.	Clarity was given in the meeting that winter service decisions and treatments are instructed based on forecast and prevailing weather conditions for that weather domain. It was also confirmed that if forecasts were being monitored and no treatment instructed, that was because triggers for treatment had not been reached.
The Committee also discussed long-term planning issues, including the adoption of roads in new developments, the role of land developers in winter maintenance, and the need for better communication during the property sales process around any arrangements in place.	Noted – but does not / will not change approach. NYC Winter treatment regimes will not apply until roads formally adopted by NYC.
Climate change impacts on the highway infrastructure were acknowledged, with officers confirming that both winter and summer forecasts are monitored year-round.	Noted
Winter service fact sheet to distribute to parish and town councils	Will form part of wider comms strategy being developed
Member support for adding QR codes on grit bins to make it easier for residents and local organisations to request replenishment	In progress and will be enacted for 2025/26 winter season
Better co-ordination with the emergency planning team	Members were reminded of existing out of hours protocols / contacts for out of hours incidents, including winter events and how to engage with NYC’s resilience and Emergency team.
Members emphasised the need for clear, accessible communication and proactive engagement with communities to improve winter resilience in future seasons	Will form part of wider comms strategy being developed
The committee were in support of taking the findings from the review of the winter weather event in January 2025 forward to a meeting of the Executive Member for Highways and Transportation and the Corporate Director in September, to consider the report and the feedback from the committee to agree actions for future winter seasons	See all of the above