Flood Work Go-Ahead - but why the secrecy?
Flood defence work to help protect Southwell's homes and businesses has been approved by the Government. Almost five years ago, flash floods caused nearly £10 million of damage to more than 250 properties throughout the town. Costing £5 million, the main engineering work could be completed by the end of the year.
The local community has made a massive contribution to the development of the plan. Through the Flood Forum in particular, residents have provided important feedback and technical expertise to help shape the protection scheme.
Residents in properties hit by flooding must have the opportunity to see how the scheme will affect them. After all, Southwell residents have contributed £40 per household to fund the scheme through their Council Tax. Others have contributed their personal mitigation grants to the pool of money.
Most recently it appears that the County Council is resisting Town Council calls for a Public Meeting, which they had previously promised . They are also refusing to release information such as the Flood Model.
The veil of secrecy surrounding the proposals must be lifted for residents to have any confidence in the mitigation plans.
Lib-Dem Councillors will continue to press for full information about the mitigation schemes.
The blue line in the picture shows the flood water level in 2013
Local Election Results May 2023
A spectacular set of elections both nationally and locally here in Newark and Sherwood!
Overall Lib Dem gains were 405 nationally, which posed a problem for Sky News, whose swingometer apparently was not able to contemplate a set of gains of this magnitude. We exceeded 'Exceeded Expectations'!
Our local gains at the district level saw the addition of our third District Councillor with the victory of Keith Melton in Trent Ward. We also kept 2 of 3 councillors for Southwell, now Karen Roberts and Peter Harris. We were encouraged to see the increase in our share of votes in other seats where we were able to field candidtes. Congratulations to everyone.
We had a very good performance in Southwell Town Council, gaining 10 of the 14 seats for which there were candidates, with 6 of these won in elections and 4 being uncontested. Two Conservatives, one Labour candidate and one Independent were also successful. One place on the council remains to be appointed to.
The Conservatives had a terrible set of district and parish elections, losing about half of their district councillors and many PCs. The final DC result was Conservative 14, Labour 11, Independents 11 (8 for Independents for Newark and 3 for other Independents) and Lib Dems 3. Discussions will take place for some time on the composition of the new administration, which is unlikely to include Conservatives for the first time since 2007.
On behalf of the executive, we are extremely grateful to everyone who stood as candidates, as well as everyone who performed the various roles which were necessary for the campaigns. We are a small party and many of you worked very hard.
We are very grateful for their past work to councillors who have stood down at this election, including Peter Scorer and Stuart Thompstone. Malcolm Brock has stood down from the District, though continues to serve on Southwell TC.
We welcome new members to the party, who were motivated by this campaign. This phenomenon was particularly marked in Trent Ward. Upton support has to be singled out, evidenced for anyone who drove through, by the huge number of LD stakeboards and posters.
Philip Barron
Chair, Newark Liberal Democrats
7 May 2023