The new Flood Board includes representatives from West Somerset Council, Somerset County Council, Exmoor National Park Authority, The Environment Agency, Wessex Water, the local Internal Drainage Board and West Somerset Flood Group.
West Somerset Council’s Lead Member for the environment Cllr Anthony Trollope-Bellew, said: “Flooding in West Somerset differs from flooding on the Somerset Levels and different parishes have different causes and solutions."
“Dulverton differs from Minehead as Porlock differs from Stogursey. So flood plans need to be driven by the local knowledge of parish and town councils. The DFB will help to coordinate these local plans, where necessary, and act as a conduit to the Somerset Rivers Authority."
The West Somerset Flood Group (WSFG) represents town and parish councils on the Board and has recently produced its own report on flooding in West Somerset.
Dr Teresa Bridgeman, secretary of the WSFG, said: “This Board provides a vital link between local people with detailed knowledge of how their own communities flood and the organisations responsible for flood risk management.
“At a time when budgets are being slashed, creative and collaborative thinking is required to make very best use of limited resources. All town and parish councils and local flood groups in the district are entitled to be members of the West Somerset Flood Group and we are here to represent their interests on the Board.”