Civil Contingencies Act Enhancement Programme

The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (CCA) brought into being a single statutory and regulatory framework for civil protection in the UK. Since the CCA was enacted, there was an explicit intention to review it within three years. Given the range of disruptive challenges that have occurred in the intervening years, and the subsequent inquiries such as the Pitt Review. The Cabinet Office established the CCA Enhancement Programme to take this review forward.

The objectives of the CCAEP are as follows:

• Assess whether there are aspects of the CCA where original intentions are not being met and develop solutions where these are needed.
• Consider whether the CCA regime needs to be modified to reflect relevant experience and changes in relevant structures which have emerged since 2004.
• Consider how to reflect good practice in the CCA regime to help raise the standards of UK resilience activity.
• Evaluate whether the scope of the CCA should be broadened beyond emergency preparedness to cover other aspects of integrated emergency management.
• Ensure that the CCA framework is effectively aligned and integrated with relevant legislation and policy initiatives.

These objectives are to be met via a range of projects, organised into a four phase programme, with delivery ongoing over the next three years.

• Civil Contingencies Act Enhancement Programme – Programme Initiation Document

Phase 1

This phase focused on improving the standard and consistency of implementation of the CCA. The policy work for Phase 1 was completed in October 2009. More information on the work undertaken during this phase can be found in the Programme Initiation Document below.

• Civil Contingencies Act Enhancement Programme – End of Phase 1 Report

Phase 2

Phase 2 is exploring potential changes to the CCA, associated Regulations or statutory guidance. Work on Phase 2 began in October 2009.

• Civil Contingencies Act Enhancement Programme – Phase 2 Project Summary

The effectiveness of the CCA regime and CCAEP depends on a close working relationship between the Civil Contingencies Secretariat and the local responder community. As such, a highly consultative approach is being employed throughout. This will ensure that there is scope for requisite stakeholder input, key messages are transmitted in a timely manner, and stakeholders are fully aware of the upcoming changes to the CCA regime and have sufficient time to make any adjustments required.

Consultation Exercises

Current

• Phase 2 Consultation on revised chapters of Emergency Preparedness (Closing 14 March 2011)

Closed

• Renewing Civil Contingencies Act Arrangements for London
• Draft Revision to Chapter 2 (Co-operation) of the statutory guidance, Emergency Preparedness
• Draft Revision to Chapter 3 (Information Sharing) of the statutory guidance, Emergency Preparedness
• Draft Interim Guidance: Civil Contingencies Act 2004, the Fit with Other Legislation