I have no doubt the householder has to pay at some time. But at least the local authority is making some effort in cooperation with the householder.
Our councils have been only average in their response. I know they will say that it is down to resources. It does highlight the effect that the removal of domestic rates has had on local services.
Local councils used to have a quite big workforce of general workers who cleaned paths, cleared blocked drains etc and were always available at times of weather severity such as floods, snow and storms