|
General Question - 29th October 2009 |
Under Standing Order 14,
Councillor Mrs. C.E. Nichols asked the following question:
“In September Spelthorne Council welcomed the Environment Agency’s public
consultation on its proposed Lower Thames Flood Risk Management Strategy.
Does the Council agree the EA’s recommendations and will the Council be
submitting a formal response?”
Councillor Mrs V.J.
Leighton, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, responded as follows:
“We have long
supported the principle of appropriate comprehensive proposals to reduce the
serious flood risks faced by the Borough.
For this reason the Council has welcomed the Environment Agency's
current consultation as it provides the opportunity for residents to shape the
proposals that are emerging.
This is an important
and complex issue and our officers are now carefully evaluating the specific
measures proposed in the Agency's consultation documents. It is therefore premature to give a view on
the proposals in advance of receiving the officer report and Cabinet's
consideration of the subject at its meeting on 8 December.”
Under Standing Order 14.2,
Councillor Mrs C.E. Nichols asked the following
supplementary question:
“Could
the Cabinet Member clarify the date the Council was given as its final deadline
for response, in view of the fact that the public deadline is 4 December?”
Councillor Mrs V.J. Leighton,
Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, responded on the following lines:
“I have spoken to
senior project leaders at the Environment Agency and their first priority was
to ensure residents had the relevant information. I am confident they understand
the Council has a timetable for meetings and will be expecting our response as
soon as possible after the meeting on 8 December.”