Somerset Council has confirmed funding will be given to local communities before winter to help them build flood resilience as part of a major Government-funded programme.
In June, the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced that Somerset Council would be allocated £50m for flood resilience. Since then, the Council has been working closely with partners and communities to develop a wide-ranging programme of works to reduce flood risk and increase flood resilience across the county, ranging from large engineering projects to community-based support.
The programme, agreed by Somerset Council’s Executive Committee this week (Wednesday 23 September), focuses on 15 projects and includes additional desilting of river channels, extra gully clearance, improvements in pumping capabilities, extra maintenance work, building new structures and a ramping up of the My Community flood planning and prevention programme.
You can read the full report here.
One of the first allocations will be more than £650k for communities, emergency response, and to fund gully maintenance ahead of the coming winter.
Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Communities, Climate Change and Environment, said:
This is a fantastic opportunity for the Council, partner agencies and communities across Somerset to work together and ensure we make the best use possible of the funding.
A new programme advisory board with representatives from key agencies and the community has been working on the draft programme with the aim of moving at pace to deliver some key measures as soon as possible.
The My Community Programme will be a crucial part of this.
• The programme will provide an extra £100k for Somerset Prepared ahead of this winter. Somerset Prepared is a multi-agency partnership that helps communities prepare and recover from emergencies. This will help to support communities in being better prepared to deal with flooding and recovery by providing small grants for emergency equipment such as radios, aerials, tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), along with first aid training. Community groups can apply for a small grant here. 1. Funding Support – Somerset Prepared
• £50k will also be allocated to Somerset Council’s emergency response teams to build support for communities affected by flooding. Building on the learning and experiences in Storm Chandra, last January, the funding will go towards emergency communications kits and power packs to enable the Council and partner agencies to check on stranded households and run Community Information Points in flood affected areas.
• An additional £500k has also been allocated to clear out gullies more frequently in areas most prone to flood events.
• The team is engaging with clerks and flood wardens in flood-affected villages and towns across Somerset to develop bespoke local solutions through the My Community programme. This programme will aim to empower communities to identify and oversee delivery of solutions needed to keep flood water out of their homes and businesses with the aim of starting work in the first phase of locations by spring 2027.
• There will be a wide range of works led by partner organisations to improve conveyance, and pumping capability across the Levels and Moors will be part of this.
The Flood Resilience Fund Programme Advisory Group (PAG) has been established to review progress and ensure the programme represents the interests of all parties and key stakeholders are kept informed. The PAG is made up of partner organisations, executive members and key stakeholders.
Somerset Council is supporting Somerset Flood Awareness Month this October which is being led by the Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA).
As well as events, information and displays at libraries across the county there will be drop-ins at some selected libraries where you can ask the team questions and there will also be some half-term workshops.
The main event is the Somerset Prepared Community Resilience Day on 21 October at Millfield School in Street, bringing together councils, community groups, specialists and businesses for talks, workshops, demonstrations, and networking.
You can visit the SRA Facebook page or Events – Somerset Rivers Authority
to keep up-to-date with Somerset Flood Awareness Month.
Key messages for the public are:
1. Know your risk: check the long-term flood risk for your area and remember that you do not need to live beside a river to be affected.
2. Stay informed: check current flood alerts and warnings, and sign up for free Environment Agency warnings where available.
3. Make a simple plan: know how to move people, pets, vehicles and important items to safety; keep key contacts and insurance details accessible; and prepare essential items.
4. Act safely: follow official advice, never enter floodwater or drive through a flooded road, and call 999 if there is an immediate danger to life.
