Don't sit back and wait.

Tenbury Town Council were told tonight, not to sit back and wait for Flood Defence funding. If the expectation is that they will be centrally funded "it's not going to happen."

Anthony Perry, the Flood Risk Manager for the Environment Agency explained that the money is out there, but it won't come to you.

Various organisations such as AWM, WCC & MHDC have money to spend, but they all have different priorities.

If the Town Council feel that a Flood Alleviation scheme is essential then they must lead a multi agency project looking at the problems and the solutions. Money is available for technical assistance, but the desire, vision and leadership, must be local.

The project can include aspects which are for sustainability and for regeneration, and can be for implementation over a number of years.

There is no point spending effort in trying to change the system, as that has no guarantee of success and if the criteria is changed Tenbury may still be no better of.

It was accepted that the Councillors may not have the necessary skills to lead this project, but should canvas support locally to find someone who can deliver this project.

Flood Meeting : No further forward

Left to right: Philip Bradbourn - Member of the European Parliament; Harriett Baldwin - Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, West Worcs; Adrian Hardman - Cabinet Member for finance WCC; Paul Tullett - Area Manager, Environment Agency; Anthony Perry - Environment Agency's Area Flood Risk Manager

Also on panel (not in pictured): Phil Grove and Tony Penn

Present in audience:
Richard Burt - LibDem Parliamentary Candidate
Cliff Slade - LibDem County Council Candidate
Bob Martin - Ex-Mayor

About 100 people attended this well run and good natured meeting. Noticeable absences were the retail community which found it impossible to attend due to the late notice and timing of the meeting.

The news is still that there is no news. The two staff from the Environment Agency stressed that if it was up to them Tenbury would have its scheme, but at this time no money is available.

It was raised that some of the flooding was caused by flash flooding, it appeared to be agreed that this was at least partly due to WCC's failure to fix the Bog Lane problem.

Worcester News