Snow Warden Scheme
Overview
What is the Snow Warden Scheme?
In winter, we focus on salting the major routes which carry the most traffic. This sometimes means smaller communities don’t receive as much help as they would like. During times of extreme weather, through the Snow Warden Scheme we will provide advice, online training and salt to community groups and parish councils who are helping each other on a voluntary basis. The Snow Warden is the key point of contact between Devon County Council (DCC) and the local community and is primarily a co-ordination role.
What does a Snow Warden do?
The Snow Warden is working on behalf of the parish council, not DCC, and will deliver winter maintenance support, determined by parish or town councils, to their communities. This includes:
- Ordering grit supplies
- Keeping a register of local trained volunteers
- Receiving and responding locally to weather alerts
- Organising and deploying volunteers to clear snow
- Organising and deploying volunteers to spread grit when icy conditions are forecast
- Encourage responsible use of grit/salt and help to minimise the abuse of grit/salt within communities
The Snow Warden must:
- be nominated as suitable by the town or parish council or similar body
- have received suitable training by DCC to carry out minor works
- agree to work within the advice provided by the county council
- agree to work to the parish council’s plan that has been agreed with DCC
- be registered with DCC
What type of work can be done by the Snow Warden’s volunteer?
- spread grit
- clear snow
- refill grit bins and bags
- report issues with grit bins and bags online
What insurance cover does Devon County Council provide?
In the unlikely event of a claim, DCC will cover the public liability aspect of insurance for voluntary work on the public highway or footway, providing it is undertaken in a safe manner according to DCC advice. This, for example, would cover any claims by third party as a result of works, which the county council would defend if works were done in accordance with DCC advice.
DCC will not provide any other form of insurance cover for this activity which must be undertaken at the volunteers own risk. So, for example, any damage to one’s own person, property or vehicle would not be covered. If vehicles are to be used (for example farmers) then they must ensure that the vehicle is suitably insured for any activity undertaken – if in doubt, owners should check with the vehicle’s insurer.
If a local council decide to employ a contractor to undertake any works for them then the County Council’s public liability insurance will not apply – it only applies to volunteers under this scheme.
We advise any parish and town council, who are interested in undertaking any self help work, to discuss their insurance requirements with their current insurance provider.
How to get involved
Town and parish councils: If you’re interested in joining the scheme and working with Devon County Council to more effectively manage your local area call 0345 155 1004 or email hwaymain@devon.gov.uk
Individual volunteers and community groups: Contact your parish or town council and offer your assistance. To get the right contact details for your area please use the postcode checker below. Alternatively contact Devon County Council on 0345 155 1004 or email hwaymain@devon.gov.uk
FAQs
Details
Devon County Council will provide:
- A comprehensive winter service as defined in the Winter Service and Emergencies plan.
- Refill county grit bins when we are made aware that they are empty.
- Provide up to five tonnes of salt free of charge (usually in one tonne ‘dumpy bags’) to be supplied in one delivery to one parish location prior to winter and a small supply of salt bags. Quantity of salt to towns will be negotiated separately and will depend on the services that they wish to deliver, for example clearing High Streets.
- Offer up to a further five tonnes of salt at the same time if required at £100 a tonne.
- Provide a mechanism whereby further salt can be purchased.
- Train Snow Wardens as part of the scheme, and provide advice and guidance as required.
- Provide Public Liability Insurance (but not other forms of insurance cover) as identified within the scheme.
Volunteering details
When: Weekday am, weekday pm, weekends
Transport provided: No
Public transport nearby: Dependent on location of work
Disabled access: No
Training provided: Yes
Group activity: Optional
One-off opportunity: Optional
Out-of-pocket expenses paid: No