Flooding in Newark and Sherwood
In accordance with Rule No. 3.4.3, Councillor P. Taylor will move and Councillor E. Oldham, will second a motion to the following effect:
Newark and Sherwood District has seen occurrences of three severe weather events over recent months. This has resulted in both serious flooding in locations that have a track record of flooding alongside new locations.
Understandably, the people of Newark and Sherwood are angry and concerned about the number of times their homes, communities and livelihoods have been impacted.
The consequences of this flooding has been:
• Homes repeatedly flooded and damaged.
• Businesses and farmland flooded.
• Roads closed.
• Impact on people’s mental health.
These types of flooding incidents have been described as once in 100-year events. However, with the impacts of climate change escalating, we know flooding is harder to forecast and will become more commonplace.
As water levels start to reduce there is a danger that there will be a perception that Newark and Sherwood District Council is returning to business as usual.
We cannot go back to business as usual. We do not accept the level of pain and suffering so many of our residents across Newark and Sherwood have been through. Our thinking and future actions need to show an understanding that some degree of adaptation needs to be considered in relation to the impacts of Climate Change
We know that many people and businesses are still suffering from the impacts of the recent flooding, with their homes and lives devastated. for some, this is likely to be an ongoing issue for many months. Even after homes have dried out and been refurbished, many will be living with the fear that it will happen again. We cannot see these individuals abandoned.
As a Council we wish to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of so many people during the floods. The staff of this council who worked tirelessly, putting in long hours over and above their normal working hours to support residents.
We would like to thank all the Community Flood Wardens for all their expertise and hard work. Members of the emergency services, Police and Fire Brigade. We would also like to acknowledge the work of organisations who have statutory responsibility around flooding. The County Council as the Flood Authority, the Environment Agency and the Drainage Boards along with the water authorities. Our communities would have suffered even more had it not been for the efforts of volunteers and neighbours helping one another, along with community groups. We should also acknowledge supermarkets who donated provisions for those isolated.
As a council we have organised a debrief session with the above to learn the lessons from their perspective and we will continue to learn lessons as we further engage with our communities.
Moving forward
This Council proposes that we bring together local authorities and other agencies with a responsibility for flood alleviation across the Trent Valley to explore ways of addressing the continued threat of flooding. This will include a proposal to jointly commissiona River Trent Valley Flood Alleviation Plan.
The plan should capitalise on the benefits of natural solutions, including restoring wetlands and floodplains, tree planting, creation of reed beds, and dedicated dredging.
Flood alleviation is the responsibility of;
• Central Government
• Environment Agency
• Nottinghamshire County Council (Flood Authority)
• Seven Trent Water
• Drainage Authorities
Other stakeholders
• Local Authorities the length of the Trent.
Ultimately, we will need Government support in order to implement any flood alleviation plan.
This Council therefore resolves to work tirelessly with those authorities with statutory responsibilities and other stakeholders to ensure the creation of a flood alleviation plan for the Trent Valley. This Council will then lobby Government for the resources to be made available to implement the plan as soon as possible.