PLANS are being put in place to prepare the city for a repeat of Storm Desmond.

Members of Carlisle City Council’s resources overview and scrutiny panel yesterday discussed the future of Carlisle’s flood defences, and the steps being taken to keep the public safe in the case of another crisis.

Council chief executive, Dr Jason Gooding, told the meeting officers are working with the Environment Agency to create a winter plan. The initiative aims to make sure the district is fully prepared, should another incident on the same scale as Storm Desmond strike the city.

While the planning and provision of future long-term flood defences lies outside the city council’s remit, Dr Gooding explained, officers will be doing everything possible to ensure residents are safe and supported should the worst happen.

He added: “If we identify that we need certain contingencies in place this winter, that’s where we make sure we’re in good shape to respond.”