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Response by Head of Service: Thank you for the correspondence. I have discussed this matter with Emergency Planning colleague and advise as follows. The County is served by two Distribution Network Operators (DNO), Scottish Power Energy Network (SPEN) in the north and National Grid in the south. Households can identify their DNO via the following link. Each DNO operates a Priority Services Register (PSR) which is operated on an opt-in basis. UK Government encourages those who need to be on PSR to do so (link – get prepared for emergencies). The Welsh Government is supportive of this campaign and Powys County Council is represented at meetings that will shape how this is applied across Wales. Communications providers are replacing the technology (Public Switched Telephone Network) used to provide fixed telephone networks (landlines). For most customers, this upgrade is expected to be completed by January 2027. This link (UK transition from analogue to digital landlines) contains advice for vulnerable customers relating to this process. Essentially digital options will require back-up power supplies to operate during power cuts. The provider should also discuss resilience solutions where appropriate. Some providers have in the past provided Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) for their vulnerable customers although polices may change. UPS systems are also available to purchase. The loss of power during a power cut is subject to scale, in terms of both the longevity of power loss and the geographical extent of that loss. Scenarios range from individual properties for brief periods to prolonged wide area loss. At the upper end of the scale, UK Government works with DNOs to minimise the likelihood and duration of such events. In the mid-range the Local Resilience Forum (LRF) works collectively on a power outage plan and has taken part in recent UK level exercises aimed at increasing preparedness and resilience around power outages. Part of a multi-agency response to a prolonged outage would be the formation of a vulnerable people cell. The terms of reference for such a group would include identifying those residents who may be made vulnerable through the loss of power and ensuring that any necessary steps to support them were taken. An independent review of SPEN performance in respect of their PSR recommended a number of improvements. In subsequent significant events SPEN have deployed customer service staff on the ground in affected areas alongside catering units, or have identified community hubs where they can direct customers who need to recharge phones or get a warm drink. Clearly the issue of scale is a factor in such deployments. The LRF is working closely with National Grid to see how PSR data is shared and acted upon in their area. In advance of known weather systems, such as storms, snow etc the Civil Contingencies team will start to monitor the power outage maps provided by the DNOs. These mapped incidents give a picture of scale and allow officers to track individual outages. When appropriate those officers can make contact with their counterparts in the respective DNOs to increase understanding of the local impacts and ensure that actions are being taken in respect of PSR customers. When circumstances are more serious partner agencies can call multi-agency meetings, known as Tactical Coordinating Groups, to share information, identify who may be at risk, jointly formulate response plans and contingencies etc. At times communication can only be guaranteed through face-to-face contact and following some of the more recent storms we have called upon PCC staff, Commissioned care providers, Powys Teaching Health Board staff (e.g. district nurses) as well as voluntary agencies including those under the PAVO umbrella and even specialist agencies such as Mountain Rescue, to undertake some of those contacts to maximise the available workforce. The range of medical equipment in people’s homes is large and increasing. When such equipment is provided the continuity of power supply should normally be discussed with the patient/client. Some patients opt to provide their own back power supply, a decision which may be impacted by the severity of their condition and their ability to do so. In response to specific questions: 1. What emergency communication arrangements will be available to vulnerable residents and those on Priority Services Registers once traditional landline services have been withdrawn? Reply: Residents will have to migrate from analogue to digital provision (either broadband supported or mobile telephony) and ensure that their devices are compatible. Back-up batteries/ uninterrupted power supplies will extend device use into power outages. 2. How will utility companies, healthcare providers and emergency services maintain contact with vulnerable residents during power outages where mobile phone and internet services are also unavailable? Reply: Mobile telephony will enable agencies and utilities to contact a good number of PSR customers either by text or e-mail. In more serious outages agencies will co-locate and co-ordinate, as necessary. 3. What provisions are in place for residents who depend upon life-sustaining or medically important equipment within their homes? Reply: Not all users of medical equipment at home are known to agencies, but the majority certainly are. Many will have emergency power back-up, but its durability will depend on the power used by the device, the size of back-up supply etc. It is not possible therefore to fully answer this question here other than to reassure that this is probably the key question considered by agencies during such emergencies. At the upper end of the scale there would be strong consideration of moving the patient into medical accommodation to continue treatment. 4. Has Powys County Council received any information, assurances, or guidance from telecommunications providers regarding the resilience of emergency communication systems in rural areas during prolonged outages caused by storms, snow, high winds, or other severe weather events? Reply: In respect of telecommunications providers, there is little information supplied by them at a local level in respect of their resilience. They work to UK Government requirements set out in the national resilience action plan and legislation such as Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021(Communication providers: ensuring telecom services are resilient - GOV.UK). 5. Has the Council assessed, or does it intend to assess, the potential public safety implications arising from the withdrawal of traditional landlines in areas where mobile and broadband connectivity remains unreliable? Reply: The LRF is currently engaged in a Wales wide survey to identify the best way forward for resilient telecommunications during emergencies. 6. Given that digital voice services require powered equipment within the home to operate, what assurance can be provided that vulnerable residents will continue to receive emergency welfare communications and be able to seek assistance following the withdrawal of traditional landline services, particularly in circumstances where power, broadband and mobile services are lost simultaneously? Reply: Traditional landline will cease to exist, and all residents will need to migrate to either digital provision based on broadband or to mobile telephony. All these devices would benefit from additional power supply during a power cut. Whether the back-up is provided by the customer or via the provider is going to be a matter for each household and will depend to some extent on individual circumstances within that household. BT does not operate a PSR in the same way as energy and water companies; instead, BT offers a Protected Services Scheme, a free support programme for customers who are disabled, vulnerable, or at risk if their phone or broadband is cut off. Registration is by calling 0330 123 4150.
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