Time to Help Residents Tackle Flooding

Milton Keynes Liberal Democrats are proposing an amendment to the Council's 2021/22 budget to make sure flood wardens are trained and equipped.

At this month's Council meeting, the Liberal Democrat Group will propose a budget amendment that includes £15,000 to fund training and equipment for volunteer flood wardens across Milton Keynes, who'd be able to build up a network for communications and direct action when a flood occurs.

The training would include advice on local resilience, crisis management, communication, water safety and roles and responsibilities before, during and after a flood situation. Within the budget would be some provision for safety equipment such as high visibility waistcoats and portable lighting.

Councillor Vanessa McPake, Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet Member for Environment, said: "Unfortunately, due to climate change, floods are not going to stop; they're going to get worse."

"Although dealing with flooding is the responsibility of many different authorities, not just the Council, we want to be doing as much as we can to make sure we're properly prepared and able to handle the situation."

Liberal Democrat Councillor Jane Carr represents Newport Pagnell South, parts of which were flooded over Christmas and in January: "Flood wardens are crucial in these efforts, because it's their homes and towns that are flooded, and they themselves are often first on the scene. We need to help them help their community."

Councillor Carr concluded: "We promised residents impacted by flooding that we wouldn't let this issue go, and this is one way we're keeping our promise."