The floods we have recently witnessed, which have left some communities devastated, are something we believe can be managed or contained far better, should we be given the requisite amount of funding.
This is why Labour Cllr Darren O'Donovan, sought agreement from Council to urge the Government to apply to the EU for the solidarity fund; a fund that is available to member states to mitigate the effect of natural disasters.
The motion presented at Council to try and achieve this, which was voted in favour of unanimously by all political groups, is testament to Cllr O'Donovan's and Labour's commitment to doing the best for the communities they serve.
Read the motion in full, below:
Motion submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14 as to Flood Prevention Initiatives
To consider the following Motion in the names of Councillors Sheard, O’Donovan, S Hall and Hughes;
‘This Council wishes to express its sympathy for those effected by the recent floods not only in Kirklees but more so in neighbouring Calderdale and Leeds.
This Council wishes to also express its gratitude to all the emergency services involved, particularly the Fire Service, who put their lives on the line to rescue those stranded or in danger of drowning.
Via our Emergency Planning and Highways service this Council was part of the reactive teams that responded to support these communities. We would like to thank officers from Kirklees and the Environment Agency for their dedication.
We would also like to acknowledge and thank the number of local people and voluntary sector groups from Kirklees that provided support.
Protecting the public from natural disasters and safeguarding the very existence of community and its infrastructure is one of the most important things a government does. If we fail to protect our homes, businesses, schools, places of worship and highways then we fail to protect people.
With a growing population and if we want to do more to sustain and improve local economies throughout the district of Kirklees, then those areas where threat of flooding is an issue need to receive the requisite amount of funding, minimising the threat of flooding, the result of which will be a protected, stronger and more vibrant economy.
The coalition and then Conservative Government have cut funding to the Environment Agency for flood defences each year since George Osborne’s comprehensive spending review in 2010 at a figure around £30m plus each year.
We call on the Government to raise the levels to funding to regional flood committees to adequately ensure new defences are built and existing defences are repaired and maintained.
We also urge the government to apply to the EU for the solidarity fund; a fund that is available to member states to mitigate the effect of natural disasters.’
