Monthly Update to Brandesburton Parish Council

on behalf of Brandesburton & North Frodingham Flood Action Group (BNFFAG)

February 2009

Ø             This update is supplementary to the February 2009 newsletter which has been widely distributed to villagers and businesses in Brandesburton as well as shops and post offices in Leven, Beeford and North Frodingham and the doctors’ surgeries in Beeford and Leven. An electronic version was forwarded for further printing and distribution in Tickton. 

Ø             The newsletter includes a questionnaire which we are hoping people will complete and return to the designated village collection points. We have asked people to say what personal impact flooding or even the fear of flooding might have on them.  We don’t feel that vital human issues have been considered by the EA and need addressing.

Ø             We still await the EA’s response to the many issues raised to date by the public and by local experts, and the changes they intend to make to their model and the strategy in the light of those issues and recent findings which impact many of their assumptions. We are still also to examine in detail their basis for the cost benefit case influencing the outcome.

Ø             Our meeting with Graham Stuart and Greg Knight confirmed their resolve to lobby ministers and parliamentary colleagues on this issue although not necessarily from a position of great strength as members of the Opposition. Both had sympathetic and well informed hearings from the previous Minister Phil Woolas who unfortunately has been replaced. At the same meeting Stephen Parnaby offered ERYC’s resource to set up and for a new ER-wide forum including members of Parish Councils, ERYC officers and the various flood action groups. The first meeting is due towards the end of February.

Ø             We have had more sympathetic and accurate media coverage last month which in turn has attracted letters of support from other members of the public, and some additional expert insight. We are hopeful of gaining some vital expert input from a national academic. We are also hopeful of getting coverage in the Hull Daily Mail to get across to the people of Hull that this strategy risks harming them – so far this message is not getting through strongly enough and we need to engage Hull’s citizens - and in turn their MP’s.

Ø             ERYC’s threat of legal action against the EA with regard to their process and lack of consultation drew an immediate verbal response from the EA signalling an extension of 12 weeks to the consultation period. This is very likely to be extended still further.

Ø             In addition to ERYC’s threat of legal action we ourselves are getting expert legal opinion from other parties on various aspects of both the strategy and the process employed.

Ø             We are now collating and copying all the documentation we have amassed to date so that it can be presented in due course in reports or responses to various bodies. 

Ø             The group and sub-groups continue to meet frequently and we’re continuing to make contact with any organisations or individuals we think might be able to help – in particular we are trying to get action from bodies such as the NFU and the CLA instead of just words of support (welcome as those are).

Ø             The group acknowledges Brandesburton Paris Council’s offer of financial support for the group and has asked for clarification whether this can be in the form of a donation or against expense receipts. This will be to cover the costs of printing and stationery and postage and carriage.  

The newsletter did not make mention of the sad news of John Frankish’s death and the grateful thanks of the group for his recent contribution to our fact finding despite his ill-health.  We offer our sincere condolences to John’s family on their, and the village’s loss.

What is it for?

A Parish Plan uses extensive consultation to identify your community's needs. It includes a concise action plan that prioritises the issues raised, and sets out how you might work with others to tackle these. Parish planning has led to direct action by communities that is improving the way their local area and services are managed. Concrete benefits that have resulted from Parish Plans are very varied, and include:

• highway safety improvements
• village hall refurbishment
• planning permission for health facilities
• installation of IT facilities
• revitalised Parish Councils

A Parish Plan provides evidence of community priorities, helping you to work with decision-makers to influence the way these priorities might be tackled. To do this your Parish Plan Steering Group should work closely with the local authority.

Who is it for?

Defra funding is available for England only. Parish Plan funds from Defra are now incorporated into the Rural Social and Community programme. Under this programme many of the delivery decisions are taken locally, but in most cases a Parish Council would be expected to apply for the funds. A Parish Plan Steering Group (involving a wider range of local people) will then be set up to produce the Parish Plan.