Civil Contingencies Act
Following the fuel crisis and the severe flooding in the autumn and winter of 2000, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a review of national emergency planning arrangements. The review reinforced the Government’s conclusion that the existing legislation no longer provided an adequate framework for modern civil protection and that new legislation was needed.
This new legislation is known as the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 
. Under the Act organisations involved in civil protection are divided into two categories known as Category 1 and Category 2 responders.
Category 1 responders include:
- Police
- Fire Authorities
- British Transport Police
- Ambulance Authorities
- Principal local authorities (county, district & borough councils & unitary authorities)
- Primary Care Trusts
- Health Protection Agency
- NHS Acute Trusts (hospitals)
- Environment Agency
- Foundation Trusts (Hertfordshire Partnership Trust)
- Maritime & Coastguard Agency
- Port Health Authorities
Category 2 responders include:
- Utilities
- Transport
- Health & Safety Executive
Duties Under the Act
As a local authority and Category 1 responder, North Hertfordshire District Council is subject to the full set of duties under the Act, the main functions include:
- Assess the risk of emergencies occurring
- Put in place emergency plans;
- Put in place Business Continuity Management arrangements;
- Put in place arrangements to make information available to the public about civil protection matters and maintain arrangements to warn, inform and advise the public in the event of an emergency;
- Share information with other local responders to enhance co-ordination;
- Co-operate with other local responders to enhance co-ordination and efficiency; and
- Provide advice and assistance to businesses and voluntary organisations about business continuity management (Local Authorities only).
