Tories Cut Flood Defence Budget

9.43.39am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 21st May 2004

During the debate on the Borough Council Budget, at the end of February, Councillor Patterson made the concerns of local people clear when the Tory leadership on the Council cut the money that will be spent on flood defence works next year 2004-5. This was in spite of the facts that:

*An all party committee had recommended spending on flood defences be maintained at present levels.

*The few pence saved by Council tax payers may put some local residents at unnecessary risk of flooding.

Councillor Patterson criticised this short-sighted policy both in the Council Chamber and the local press. He said "Up to this point the Borough Council has worked well with local residents to improve flood defences. We need to ensure that our concerns on flooding are not ignored in the future."

However, the drainage scheme around Kings Head might yet be saved. At the Joint Transportation Board meeting on 15th March, Councillor Patterson helped to persuade Councillors to recommend to the Cabinet the reallocation of funds within the land drainage budget to enable the scheme at the eastern end of Five Oak Green around the King's Head to proceed. At the time of writing, the Cabinet's final decision is awaited.