Co-operation

Under the Civil Contingencies Act, co-operation between local responder bodies is a legal duty.

The principal mechanism for multi agency co-operation under the Act is the Local Resilience Forum (LRF) based on each police area.  The forum is a process by which the organisations on which the duty falls co-operate with each other.  It is not a statutory body as such (because it is a process rather than an organisation), nor does it have powers to direct its members.

Other forms of Co-operation

Co-operation will also be expected between Category 1 responders outside the framework of the LRF in performance of their duties under the Act.

Direct or bilateral co-operation is also likely in practice between Category 1 and Category 2 responders.  Category 2 responders must co-operate with Category 1 responders in, for example the development of their risk assessments and plans. They may also be involved with activities to maintain and improve those plans.

Joint discharge of functions

In some instances, responders will wish to put their co-operation onto a more formal footing, and enter into joint arrangements with other responders.  This is permitted by the Regulations and can take two forms:-

• exercising responsibilities jointly.  In this case, two responders would agree that an aspect of the duties was best performed by working together. 
• delegating responsibilities entirely. 

In both these instances, both responders would have to agree that joint arrangements are appropriate, and make associated agreements in terms of transfer of funding and other resources.

Information Sharing

Under the Civil Contingencies Act, local responders have a duty to share information.  Information sharing is also encouraged as being good practice.

Information sharing is a crucial element of civil protection work, underpinning all forms of co-operation.  It may involve simple liaison between bodies keeping each other up to date on their current arrangements and future plans.  Such activities may be carried out through the proposed forums, and more informally.

Information sharing may also involve direct contacts, formal or informal, between bodies seeking knowledge of hazards, risk assessments or planning arrangements (including warning procedures) and other matters, where the information is in the possession of one body and the other believes it needs the information to fulfil its civil protection duties.

Information sharing is necessary so that responders are able to make the right judgements.  If responders have access to all the information they need, they can make the right decisions about how to plan and what to plan for.