East Riding Flood Fund - there for the taking

East Riding Councillors, Symon Fraser, Felicity Temple and Barbara Hall are urging the Driffield and Rural Town and Parish Councils to take advantage of flood relief funding. These funds are available from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

In a letter to the Town and Parish clerks, the three East Riding Councillors underline the need for urgent action from the Parish Councils if they are to access this money to protect residents from future flooding.

The East Riding of Yorkshire Council, as part of its aid to residents following the disastrous floods of June 2007, made available a fund of money to Parish Councils so that they could bid to address specific local flood prevention measures.

Money from this fund is still available. If there are issues specific to any Parish which require attention the Parish Councils can bid for funds. For instance, they can bid for money towards consultancy work, technical advice or drainage surveys if that would help address future flooding problems. Parish Councils can also bid for money for practical items such as sandbags, pumps, other emergency equipment or any other reasonable means of support to help protect residents.

Councillor Felicity Temple said, All parish and town councils had been informed of the flood relief fund, but we became aware that some had felt their needs were not as acute as others, so had been reluctant to apply. However, the money is still there, and it offers parish councils the opportunity to address long-standing drainage problems which they may well know exist locally.

Councillor Fraser said: Bainton Parish Council is undertaking a comprehensive drainage survey of the village, so that they fully understand who is responsible for different aspects in the future. This survey is being funded from the emergency relief scheme and is an excellent example of a local Parish Council looking forward and planning for the future.

Councillor Barbara Hall said: I can quite understand why the Town Council and many of our Driffield & Rural parish councils had not applied. They are resourceful and independent people who just get on with the job. But, this money is there for them and we hope they will take this offer of help from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

If any parish is interested in putting forward a bid they should contact Barry Adams, Director of Corporate Policy and Strategy on 08457 887700. We would urge them to do this as soon as possible.

1st February 2008