The town of Hythe in Kent is at a particularly high risk in heavy storms, as more than half of the homes in the Folkestone and Hythe District Council are at risk of flooding, according to the local council.
The council has been contacted for comment.
55% of the Folkestone & Hythe District is on, or below, sea level.
Now given Hythe Town Council (HTC) is a Green Coalition, and given it wants to act on climate and ecological matters, such as flooding, one might have thought any Cllr might have given written notice to move a motion at the Full Council at the earliest opportunity, which was the 24 June, regarding the flooding.
No motion may be moved at a meeting unless it is on the agenda and the mover has given written notice of its wording to the Proper Officer at least four clear days before the meeting. Clear days do not include the day of the notice or the day of the meeting.
The Green lead coalition chose to give written notice to move the following motion – which was passed by a majority vote
“That as a next step in Hythe Town Council’s climate and ecological emergency measures, it is proposed that the Council will move to plant-based food and drinks for all Council functions.”
“Action expresses priorities.” – said Mahatma Gandhi, and the priorities at HTC, which are being expressed, are what people eat at HTC functions.
Two years after taking office, the Green Coalition have NOT put in place a community flood plan to deal with flooding issues like that which happened on the night of the 16th June.
Under Section 260 of the Public Health Act (1936), parish/town councils have powers to undertake maintenance work on ponds, ditches, pools or other areas used for the collection of drainage or stagnant water in order to prevent it from becoming a public health risk.
This means HTC or any of the 30 Parish/Town Councils in the Folkestone & Hythe District boundary (and beyond), could help flood prevention and reduction efforts by preparing community flood plans, raising additional funding for flood defence measures from Folkestone & Hythe District Council’s £4.75 million Climate & Ecological Initiative fund the council have on offer. HTC could organise, gather and report information on flood incidents in their community.
They could organize a Flood Action Group, or contact any existing groups in the area. More info can be found at the – National Flood Forum:
HTC could also help prepare a Community Flood Plan, which would help the community respond quickly when flooding happens. A template on how to do this can be found here:
So no it’s not all Kent County Council. HTC can plan and play an important role in this urgent issue but have failed to act after two years in office.
Flooding is, we believe, rather more important than what people can eat in their sandwiches at HTC functions. The sooner the Green Coalition implement a community flood plan, the sooner and safer residents and businesses of Hythe will be.
The first Mayor of Hythe after the 2019 elections was Green Cllr, Doug Wade. In an epistle given down on the Mayor’s Blog on the 01/03/2020, he urged us all to consider the climate and ecological challenge we face and – “Take responsibility. Act now. Before it’s too late…….”
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The first Mayor of Hythe after the 2019 elections was Green Cllr, Doug Wade. In an epistle given down on the Mayor’s Blog on the 01/03/2020, he urged us all to consider the climate and ecological challenge we face and – “Take responsibility. Act now. Before it’s too late…….”
See – https://archive.is/PLMtT
Strange the dear fellow as a Cllr does NOT practice what he preaches.