Mini Round-Up June 2008

Self Help Flood Grants

As Ward Councillor I write to make you aware that Wychavon is continuing its co-ordination efforts to provide flood relief grants. If your property was flooded, and it is on the list of internally flooded properties, there may be more than one grant available to you. Details of these grants will be defined in a letter from Wychavon District Council early next week.

Red Cross Hardship Fund Grant

Wychavon has already distributed some flood relief grants to those properties affected but some additional monies have now been received from the Red Cross to assist those households who are still experiencing hardship due to flooding. If you think that you qualify then please do complete the forms you are to receive shortly and return as directed.

Need to talk it out with someone, then call the Wychavon Housing Team on 01386 565485.

Self-Help Flood Prevention Grant

In January this year Wychavon offered every household on its list of internally flooded properties a contribution of up to £100 towards the purchase of a self-help flood prevention device for their property. That offer was well subscribed to by residents, many of whom had attended the Flood Forum held at the Evesham Leisure Centre and Wychavon have now decided to make a number of further grants available.

Flooded once in July 2007?

An increase of the maximum from £100 to £250 for properties flooded in July 2007. If you

have already received the earlier £100 contribution you are still welcome to apply for a further contribution – telephone 01386 565015 for further information.

Flooded more than once?

If you have been flooded more than once, between April 1998 and May 2008, you may be eligible for an enhanced grant of up to £500. Conditions do apply however:

Money must be for flood prevention use.

Evidence/proof required that the property has been internally flooded more than once i.e  insurance claims or details of when flooded and to what extent – Wychavon will verify against their records.

Money will be paid on receipt of a paid invoice for work carried out.

The £500 is not in addition to the £250.

If you have already claimed the earlier grant of £100 but want to claim £500, this will be supported provided the above conditions are met.

Closure date - 12 September

Need to talk it out with someone then call Wychavon on 01386 565015. The closing date for self help grant applications is Friday, 12 September. However, I consider this date to be somewhat restrictive and have pressed for some flexibility, considering that even now some people have not yet returned to their homes. If you do decide to submit a further claim please make it sooner rather than later!

The details and conditions defined in the formal Wychavon letter that you will receive shortly take precedent over any comments in this Mini Round- Up.

Bad Weather increasingly concerns Residents

Over the last few days we have experienced some very wet weather indeed, sufficient for the Environment Agency to issue a number of flood warnings. During that period both the District Council and myself have received a number of calls from residents concerned about a repeat flood situation. In this Ward I have walked my patch and can advise you that drains, culverts, ditches and gullies seem to be coping much better, evidence of partnership working between WCC, WDC, Severn Trent, the Environment Agency and riparian Landowners etc.

But what about the future in terms of flood alleviation? To get a glimpse of that I called upon Steve Jorden, Head of Wychavon’s Environmental Services, for some answers.

Steve Jorden says 'More' Flood Alleviation has priority within Wychavon

Environmental Services resources have been increased, priority ditches are being cleared, enforcement notices are being served as appropriate and previously agreed capital schemes will continue to be implemented. A Flood Working Group, under the  Chairmanship of Councillor McDonald, has focused on how we collect flood data and turn this into Flood Action Plans with partnership ‘buy in’ that will result in meaningful practical outcomes.

90+ Flood Action Plans under preparation

I can confirm that Wychavon are working with partners on the preparation of approximately 90 new Flood Action Plans for those parishes susceptible to flooding. When the various actions called for are defined these draft documents will be rolled out to the Parish Councils. The aim is to have the first 20 action plans out by the end of July. Critical to these plans will be the incorporation of Parish Council comments. Some of the works identified in the plans are already being put in place by partners.

In support of the Flood Action plans, if any grant monies made available for self-help remain, then these will be ring fenced to support minor parish works.

Future Planning Requirements

Planning requirements following the July 2007 floods will never be the same. Questions on building on flood plains, non porous paving surfaces etc are all being addressed. At the request of the Flood Working Group the Wychavon Planning department have currently drafted a Supplementary Planning Document which should give developers clear advice on how we expect them to manage water flows and ensure that their project does not add to flooding.  

Early Warning Flood Inititative

The council, on recommendations from the Flood Working Group, are intending to invest in a flood early warning system for those areas not covered by the Environmental Agency River Warning System. 

For you this could mean advanced warning of possible floods which will give you time to better protect your family and property. Wychavon has taken a local government lead with this initiative. We will be consulting with Parish Councils and Flood Wardens as this scheme develops.

The Bigger National Picture - The Future

Flooding and the problems it causes are still very much on the national agenda and Wychavon continues to lobby for change.

Key recommendations on what needs to be done to reduce the risk of flooding is due out from central government in July.

It is anticipated that Councils will be required to develop Flood Management Plans to better protect households and productive land in the future. More will be said once the recommendations and detail are known.

My thanks to Tom, for the opportunity to participate in this Round Up.

Steve Jorden

Holding a 'Wolf by the Ears'

Global Warming or climate change, whatever you want to call it, indicates a wetter and warmer climate.

In terms of flooding we are ‘holding a wolf by the ears’ (roman saying). Whatever we do we are at risk.

Wychavon can never promise to give complete flood protection, but we are planning to be smarter for the future and to best manage flood risk.

That’s about all at present. If you qualify for a further self-help grant, watch out for the grant letter and do remember that cut off date.

 Tom McDonald

Conservative District Councillor

(Executive Board Member Regeneration)