Colleagues from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution recently supported a series of community resilience events in Angus to help local community members better prepare this winter.
Coordinated by Kirriemuir Landward West Community Council, SSEN supported four events across the region in Glenisla, Airlie, Kingoldrum and Kilry. This collaboration was possible thanks to the ongoing relationships built through the Angus Community Resilience Forum.
Following last year’s exceptional storm season, with a series of named storms impacting the Angus region, SSEN has significantly invested in network and community resilience. A key part of this investment has been engaging with communities worst impacted last winter, providing vital funding to local community groups, charities, and local authorities to support resilience projects.
Samantha O’Connor, Regional Customer Relationship Manager at SSEN Distribution said:
“Last year’s storm season taught us valuable lessons about the importance of strong partnerships between local authorities, resilience partners, utilities, and communities to collectively prepare, respond and recover from emergency events.
“I’d like to thank Kirriemuir Landward West Community Council, Angus Council, our partners from the Angus Community Resilience Forum and local Angus communities for coordinating and participating in such a successful series of resilience events across the region. The events brought the spirit of partnership working to life and this engagement is empowering local communities to build resilience.
“Angus is an area that was significantly affected by Storms Arwen, Malik and Corrie last winter. Many of these communities are remote and rural, with properties spread out over a large area having very limited access to services during an emergency. We had many conversations with residents about their experiences during the storms and the investment we’ve made in our network and communities this past year, with positive feedback and endorsement from those attending the events.”
Sue Smith, Chair of Kirriemuir Landward West Community Council, added:
“Sam O’Connor and her colleagues at SSEN provided invaluable support to a series of adverse weather preparedness and resilience events coordinated by Kirriemuir Landward West Community Council (KLWCC). Without Sam’s contribution and the participation of Sam and her colleagues, the events could not have taken place. As it was, the four events held over successive weekends at local village and community halls, were incredibly successful and well received.
“We very much hope that investment of time and resource in these events will make local residents more aware and better prepared and so reduce demand on SSEN in the event of future adverse weather events. KLWCC is incredibly grateful for SSEN’s support and we value our positive and constructive working relationship.”
SSEN Distribution is investing an additional £3.5 million of funding to support customers and communities in areas worst impacted by Storm Arwen, improving network, personal and community resilience. This includes £1.8 million of ring-fenced funding for local authorities in most affected regions, a £500,000 boost to SSEN’s Resilient Communities Fund, totalling £1 million for local community groups and charities, and an additional £1.2 million of network investment in key circuits in the north east of Scotland.
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