New Think Tank with fresh ideas to fight flooding
The first meeting of the newly formed Local Government Flood Forum, launched in Gloucester in the summer, takes place today at Mary Ward House 5-7 Tavistock Place, Euston, London WC1H 9SN. Registration is at 9.30 a.m with the meeting scheduled from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The aim of the forum is to raise awareness of the need both locally and nationally to take flooding seriously and share best practice to stop it happening again.
The independent think tank the Local Government Information Unit is hosting the meeting. Councils which have so far registered to attend the meeting are listed below.
The Local Government Flood forum was the brainchild of Gloucestershire County Council and its leader Barry Dare and was launched at the Flooding Conference organised by the county council and Gloucestershire First in Gloucester in July 2008.
The leader of Gloucestershire County Council and Forum Chairman, Cllr Barry Dare said, "Last summer, when Gloucestershire was at the centre of one of this country's worst peace time emergencies, we saw how people got through it all by pulling together and providing help and support wherever necessary.
"Not only was the resilience of the people of Gloucestershire an inspiration, it also provided us with important lessons in co-operation so that our aim now is to prevent anything like this from happening again - and the best way to achieve that is by sharing our knowledge and expertise."
LGiU head of the Centre for Local Sustainability Dr Andy Johnston said: "There has never been a more compelling time for councils across the country to come together to take urgent and decisive action.
"Flooding poses a real and serious threat to communities. Unless councils take action now, Gloucestershire's devastating experience of flooding could soon become the norm for many areas of England and Wales."
The meeting will start with registration at 9.30 a.m. Issues for discussion include devising a protection plan for critical infrastructure, deciding who will lead on key tasks and establishing how to raise the necessary funding.
Defra will also be present to discuss the implications of the floods and water bill for local government.
