Proposals for shared service to tackle
flooding
Proposals to join forces with two other authorities to tackle
flooding are up for discussion by Wyre Forest District Council’s
Cabinet next week.
The proposal is to develop a shared service
across Redditch, Bromsgrove and Wyre Forest for dealing with land
drainage, watercourses and flooding issues. A report will go to
Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet on 20th September
with Wyre Forest leading the service, which will cover all three
districts. The Shared Service has already been agreed by Redditch’s
and Bromsgrove’s Executives.
The Land Drainage service will pull together
officers from across the Districts to develop and implement
management and maintenance plans for watercourses, and assist
householders with land drainage issues and undertake enforcement
where necessary. The new team will also undertake work on behalf of
the County Council, to meet the provisions of the Flood and Water
Management Act 2010 including the development of an Asset Register,
identifying critical infrastructure, and a Community Engagement
Plan.
The new shared service will help improve the
resilience of the service, allow for a sharing of knowledge and
skills and provide an opportunity to enhance the service offered to
the public.
Cllr Julian Phillips, Wyre Forest District
Council’s Cabinet Member for Place Shaping said
“The proposals provide an opportunity to
develop a robust service that is better able to meet the
requirements of the new legislation and expected standards of
service and save tax payer’s money by cutting unnecessary
duplication. The scheme will also enhance resilience as it will
enable the three authorities to still provide a service whilst
covering illness or holidays”.
If the Shared Service is approved the District
Councils will work towards bringing officers together in the new
team for November 2011.
Wyre Forest’s Cabinet meets at 6pm on
Tuesday 20 September in the Civic Hall,
Stourport-on-Severn.
Issued - 13th September 2011