CorpComms Magazine

Sheffield council could recruit local residents to grit the roads if heavy weather strikes again, in a bid to cut costs. Council leader Paul Scriven wants to open a debate with residents and says he welcomes any 'innovative ideas' after the authority spent a total of £3 million on gritting in recent months.

The council estimates that future costs could rise to an extra £6 million a year, equivalent to a three per cent rise in council tax. Instead, Sheffield could trial a snow warden initiative, where local volunteers would receive a text from the council on heavy snow days asking them to report for duty. They would meet council staff to help clear side roads and pavements.

'What we want to do is find a more affordable way where Sheffield people roll up their sleeves and help the council,' Scriven told the BBC. 'People want to get round the city easily without their council tax rocketing.'

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