Council reports difficulty in hiring flood officer

A local authority has reported difficulties in hiring a flood officer in the aftermath of Storm Henk, attributing the challenge to higher salaries offered by other entities. Storm Henk impacted the UK in January, causing extensive flooding throughout the East Midlands region. Following these events, Rutland County Council established a scrutiny evidence panel. This panel issued 14 recommendations, one of which was the appointment of a flood officer to enhance future flood response capabilities within the county. Nevertheless, Christine Wise, the cabinet member for environment, stated that the authority had “struck difficulties” in securing a candidate for the position because other consultancies nationwide were providing “considerably more income.” According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the flooding evidence panel was formed in January with the objective of assessing actions taken by various agencies and identifying ways to improve future flood response mechanisms. Among the panel’s 14 recommendations were proposals to review all policies pertinent to flood management and emergency planning, to ensure that every parish possesses its own emergency plan, and to implement an enhanced inspection regime for identified high-risk areas. Lucy Stephenson, who chairs the council’s Conservative group and led the panel, informed a full council meeting held on Thursday that all the recommendations were feasible. She added: “There is no point putting in recommendations that there is neither funding for, nor the capacity to deliver.” Ms. Wise reiterated the authority’s challenge in recruiting a flooding officer, stating: “It is under way, the flood officer appointment, but we have struck difficulties.” She continued: “Unfortunately we weren’t the only area of Great Britain that had flooding. “So every consultancy in the country has been out appointing all the best flood officers at considerably more income than as a local authority we can offer.” She also mentioned that the vacancy had been re-advertised. Ramsay Ross, who serves as chairman of the scrutiny committee, emphasized the significance of implementing the “low cost” recommendations put forth by the evidence panel. He reasoned that the government would likely allocate funding preferentially to regions facing a higher risk of flood damage. For further updates, follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or through WhatsApp at 0808 100 2210. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external sites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.