Is it really mid-October already? The nights are drawing in and the season is changing; we’ve had a big storm and maybe your heating is on, at least for some of the time. You may not know that we have a network of Warm Welcome Hubs across the county which are ready to offer a hot drink and a listening ear to those in need.

It is because once the summer has ended we know there will be different challenges and we have to be ready for them. Which is why our teams have been out clearing gullies and roadside ditches, fixing even more potholes and trimming hedges. Parks are getting perhaps a last grass-cut and trees are being checked for safety. Leaves are already being swept. Whatever the weather, our staff and contractors keep the roads safe and public spaces tidy.

In the last few years we have found a way to put more money into maintenance, thanks to extra UK and Welsh Government funding, and because we know it is important to you. In response to public feedback, we have also strengthened parking enforcement and increased the attention given to litter and pavement repairs. These are relatively routine things that, as your council, we do to help keep everyone safe.

What is less easy to plan is a response to extreme weather, and I am always impressed by the way our teams can switch from their normal jobs to emergency response.

We have recently re-consulted on our flood strategy, which is now a detailed plan and risk assessment for all the areas of our county. By the way, we also have information for residents to prepare their own flood plans. That is because with climate change, we can expect more storms disrupting travel, uprooting trees, or causing landslips. All have a significant impact on residents’ lives - and on council budgets. Preventing flooding and damage to your property can mean checking that your gutters and drains are kept clear.

And I’m asking you to sign up for weather alerts. It’ll help you avoid travelling during extreme weather if at all possible.

As usual, we work in partnership with local communities. We are at an advantage because Monmouthshire residents normally act sensibly and county and community councillors help us prepare for the additional demands of cold, dark nights.

If you notice a pothole, a blocked gully, or a broken streetlight please report it via the Monmouthshire App, at a hub or by email. If you have your own hedge along a road or pavement, this is the time to trim it back. And perhaps you might offer to help a needy neighbour, too.

We also want landowners to attend to their ditches and hedges and to manage flood risk on their land. It all adds up to the sensible maintenance of the area where you live.

There are so many ways in which our responsible local citizens help each other as the season changes.