Local resilience forum

Regulation 4 of the Contingency Planning Regulations 2005 requires the general Category 1 responders with functions in a local resilience area in England or Wales to co-operate "in a single forum". Regulation 4(3) says this form of co-operation "is referred to in these Regulations as the 'local resilience forum'". The forum must arrange a meeting at least once every six months, and each Category 1 responder must attend or be effectively represented so far as reasonably practicable. Category 2 responders must attend when all the Category 1 responders invite them, and must be kept informed of when meetings take place and what will be discussed.

Gov.uk guidance says the forums are based on police areas and "help co-ordination and co-operation between responders at the local level". The Be Ready website describes them as partnerships of local public services including the emergency services, local authorities, the NHS, the Environment Agency and utilities providers. It says each forum identifies potential risks, produces emergency plans and publishes a community risk register.

Be Ready counts 38 local resilience forums in England and four in Wales. Scotland has regional resilience partnerships and Northern Ireland emergency preparedness groups instead.