An action-packed day for Southwell Flood Forum
The invitations arrived…
On the way ….over Westminster Bridge
L to R Jacky Huson, Katy Todd, John Cook, Liz Walker
Therese Coffey, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, spoke of Government plans and the Flood Re initiative. Andy Bord, Chief Executive of Flood Re spoke further about the improved insurance situation for people at risk of flooding and the Flood Re Local Heroes award
Listen to their speeches here
Rebecca Pow MP of Taunton Deane – a constituency which is at high risk of flooding, hosted the event and talked about Government plans to fund community projects alongside the major projects and to ensure that communities build resilience to cope with and recover from flooding.
Rebecca Pow MP Taunton Deane
Listen to their speeches here
Andy Bord introduced the shortlisted finalists who were presented with an engraved box of champagne and two engraved glasses by Therese Coffey. The winner was Geraldine Brown, Chair of Yalding Parish Council
While disappointed to miss out on the £10K prize money, enjoyed a wonderful and valuable day meeting other community groups and networking with people in the flood risk world. It can only help to keep our cause on the radar.
L to R: Therese Coffey (Parliamentary Under Secretary for the Environment), John Cook, Katy Todd, Liz Walker, Jacky Huson, Andy Bord (CEO Flood Re)
L to R: John Cook, Liz Walker, Paul Cobbing (CEO National Flood Forum)
Robert Jenrick, who has been instrumental in lobbying with DEFRA and Treasury on our behalf, kindly joined us to celebrate our status as finalist with a bottle of House of Commons champagne in the Pugin Bar.
We then joined Paul Cobbing, CEO of National Flood Forum and other finalists in St Stephen’s pub – (where MP’s meet and which has a division bell that rings giving a warning sign to MPs and Lords, that there are just a few minutes to cast their vote in parliamentary debates. The call announces 8 minutes to return to the chamber!)
L to R: John Cook, Katy Todd, Lynne Jones and partner (finalist)
L to R: members of finalist Shifnal Flood Partnership, Bob Haddon, Liz Walker and Paul Cobbing
It was very interesting to hear about how other communities approach their flood risk and have built community resilience. While every town and village has different and unique situations, there is a common theme and we can all usefully extract hints and tips for own situation.
Finally the four of us and Paul rounded off the day with a meal in Pimlico. The Forum and Trent Rivers Trust are already working closely with Paul on the FRAMES project so it was a good opportunity to establish a deeper rapport.
