How the CIVIL CONTINGENCIES ACT 2004 applies to you
Every year, 1 in 5 businesses face a major disruption to their services. 1 in 10 of these will cease trading. This is obviously a problem that needs to be addressed. Yet worryingly, how many business actually plan for the future?
Could you maintain your critical business functions in the event of a crisis?
How would you ensure your business survives?
The most common threats to a business are flooding, fire, utilities failure and denial of access to your premises. What would you do if you are a business in the Canal Corridor, and it floods? A crisis that threatens the survival of your business could happen at anytime. The effects are potentially devastating.
Planning for the continuity of your business in an emergency
- Is not difficult
- Need not be expensive
- Will increase the likelihood of your business surviving a crisis or business interruption
- Is a worthwhile investment as it ensures the safety and protection of your staff
Plan for it now, and it may just save your business in the future. Leave it to chance, and you may not have a business when the worst happens.
The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 came into force in May 2005. This Act placed a responsibility on Local Authorities to provide advice about business continuity to businesses and Voluntary organisations from mid-May 2006.
The Act states:
"Subsection (1) imposes a duty [to the Local Authority] to give advice and assistance to the public in connection with the making of arrangements for the continuance of commercial activities should an emergency occur. Subsection (1) also requires advice and assistance to be provided as to the continuance of activities of voluntary organisations should an emergency occur."
- To read the Act in its entirety, please refer to OPSI
- To see Stroud District Council’s advice on this issue, please refer to our guide.
- Gloucestershire County Council are also committed to delivering expert advice
Where further guidance on Business Continuity Planning can be found:
- The Business Continuity Institute: www.thebci.org
- UK Resilience: www.ukresilience.info
- Business Continuity Information Centre: www.business-continuity.com
- The Emergency Planning College : http://www.epcollege.gov.uk
