Business Continuity for Kent Businesses
Business continuity is an approach to planning for and responding to disruptive events.
It involves:
- finding potential risks
- developing strategies to reduce their impact
- creating plans to make sure operations can continue.
We are all responsible for business continuity
Everyone should know where they can find their business continuity plan (BCP) and what their role in their service is if any type of disruption happens.
Our statutory duty
We have a responsibility to our residents and businesses to maintain essential services, even in the face of adversity.
​Under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, we have a statutory duty to:
- maintain robust business continuity management arrangements
- promote business continuity management to businesses in Kent.
Unexpected events can affect your business, including:
- severe weather
- utility failures
- supply chain disruption
- major incidents.
Preparing in advance can help you to:
- reduce disruption
- protect staff and customers
- support a faster recovery.
Advice for businesses
In Kent, councils provide businesses with advice and emergency planning information. This information is tailored to the risks and support arrangements in their area.
If you are a business, contact your local district or borough council for further support.
Contact your district or borough council
- Ashford Borough Council
- Canterbury City Council
- Dartford Borough Council
- Dover District Council
- Folkestone and Hythe District Council
- Gravesham Borough Council
- Maidstone Borough Council
- Sevenoaks District Council
- Swale Borough Council
- Thanet District Council
- Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council
- Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
- Medway Council
Business continuity checklist
To improve your organisation’s resilience, you may wish to:
- understand which services, processes, or resources can be used to keep your business running
- review the Kent and Medway Community Risk Register to understand the types of incidents most likely to affect your area
- document how your business would continue operating if disrupted. For example loss of premises, staff shortages, or utility outages
- ensure you can contact staff quickly and have arrangements in place to support their safety and wellbeing
- identify key suppliers and alternative options if normal arrangements are disrupted
- regularly review your plans and update them as your business changes or new risks emerge
- check your district or borough council website for advice, information, and support schemes.
Kent and Medway Resilience Forum
The Kent and Medway Resilience Forum (KMRF) offers guidance and resources to help you to prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies.
This includes:
- information on local risks
- practical steps to improve resilience
- advice on planning ahead
To find support for your business, no matter the size or sector, visit:
Building personal and community resilience
To better protect yourself, your family, and the community, visit the Kent Prepared website. You'll find:
- practical tips
- guidance on how to stay safe
- how to prepare for emergencies
- how to strengthen community resilience.