7 October 2017

Councillor’s Corner 17/18 No 8

Pitmen supporter and HTFCSA committee member Paul Woodhead is a Cannock Chase District Councillor for Hednesford. You will see him around the ground most match days, usually as Pitman Pete and in the Strikers Bar after the game where you can talk to him about any matters or issues of concern.

In these articles I want to bring the role of the councillor alive to you and ensure I am accountable to you as the elected representative for the ward in which the football club resides. I will highlight some of the things I get involved with and the decisions the council makes on your behalf. I will be available after most home games for a general conversation and we can arrange a private discussion should that be appropriate. Alternatively you can contact me by phone on 07930 120077 or by email paul.woodhead@greenparty.org.uk

This coming week I attend as a County Council Committee where a paper has been prepared to update us regarding the flood alleviation strategy in Staffordshire. It does not make good reading and not at the fault of the Council. We have all seen the devastation of changes to weather both internationally and nationally as well as locally, whether that is the impact of hurricanes in the Caribbean or flood in Cumbria or roads blocked with pooled water in Rawnsley. It is evident that both climate change and developments are having an adverse impact on drainage and hence the incidence and severity of flooding.

Staffordshire County Council is the Lead Local Flood Authority and works with partner Authorities and organisations to manage and advise on the 8000km of waterways in our County as well as consulting on the impact of proposed developments on flood risk. Due to the complex nature of relationships and responsibilities across flood risk management as well as the lack of national government guidance or infrastructure to support local priority action the risks of flooding in our community continue to go largely unaddressed. We have seen some limited schemes implemented of various scales from local road solutions on Littleworth Road to the works at Anglesey Nature Reserve and on the Hagley Field but it is clear funds are very limited and whilst I agree that the Council is doing the best it can with the hand it is dealt, I disagree with the report’s conclusion that considerable progress has been made.

We need the Council to champion a case for a better legislative framework to allow this to be addressed. Have a look at the report here and see what you think https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/yourcouncil/home.aspx

 

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