Decision Maker: Council

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: March 19, 2025

Purpose:

Content: RESOLVED: 1.      That this Council notes: a)            That flooding is a very important issue in flood prone areas of Milton Keynes including, but not exclusively, Lavendon, Ravenstone, Stoke Goldington, Newport Pagnell and Stony Stratford. b)            That in an article published by the MK Citizen on the 7th February, Chris Curtis MP claimed credit for securing £220,000 of funding from government to fund flood prevention measures including £150,000 for Lavendon, £50,000 for Stony Stratford and £20,000 for Newport Pagnell. c)             That in a story published by MKFM on the 17th of February Cabinet Member with responsibility for flooding Cllr Akash Nayee claimed this as “£220,000 in New Labour Government funding to help our local communities mitigate flooding”. It was also confirmed that this council has “a clear plan to deal with flooding.” 2.      That this council acknowledges that: a)            The motion moved at the November council meeting by Cllr Geary was clearly moved on behalf of the residents not as a party-political motion. b)            The motions around flood funding moved by Cllr McLean at the budget meeting was not moved as part of the Conservative group amendments but individually as a ward member. c)             The money referred to in the press releases was not new money as previously understood, but monies held on account by the Environment Agency. This accumulated over several years, as the total sum available to Lavendon is in excess of £600k. Nether the less, this sum still presents a shortfall, as the total spend is presently unclear due to decisions required as to which parts of the Lavendon scheme offers best value. d)            Similarly, the other flood schemes have an allocation from the Environment Agency for this year (and previous years), which sits unspent pending the commencement of agreed schemes. e)            That the agreed schemes, flood planning and funding, is not widely understood and requires clearer explanation so ward councillors can be better informed. 4.      That this Council: a)            Notes that this money has been available for over 2 years and this council has not yet been able to spend it despite there being “a clear plan” for flood schemes. b)            Agrees to share the flood schemes and the associated funding, so councillors have a better understanding and to ensure transparency. c)             Ensures the flood schemes and funding are added to the agenda for the Environment and Scrutiny committee to discuss at their forthcoming meeting on flooding and remains as an item for updates to ensure oversight that the work commences as soon as is practical. d)            That the administration reviews the Lavendon scheme to consider how this council might meet any financial shortfall, (as referred to above), to ensure the funding already secured is not lost.