Flood defence funding problem

DELAYS in vital flood prevention work are likely due to lack of funding, the Environment Agency has warned.

At a Sussex Local Flood Defence Committee meeting in Worthing, on Wednesday, the Environment Agency (EA) asked for its funding to be increased by 14 per cent. East Sussex County Council offered only nine.

As a result, flood prevention work in the Ouse and Cuckmere valleys is likely to be delayed.

EA area manager Peter Midgley said: 'I understand the pressures that local authorities are experiencing. However, I am disappointed that local authority members did not feel able to increases our funding to a level that would enable us to give Sussex the flood defence that they themselves agree is so urgently needed.

East Sussex County Council leader Peter Jones said a complete overhaul of funding was needed to solve the problem.

'We have been criticised for offering a nine per cent increase even though this is still way above what the Government has given us. I totally agree that we need proper flood defence schemes but local council taxpayers should not be asked to fund them.

The council leader called on the Government to review the way cash was allocated to take the pressure off councils.

'The Government should work directly with the Environment Agency to focus funding on the worst affected areas such as Lewes, Uckfield and Robertsbridge.

'The system at present puts pressure on councils to use their own resources to top-up Government flood defence grant money that could otherwise be used to care for elderly people, help raise standards in our classrooms or keep our roads and pavements up to scratch.