Speeches by Buckley.

“They are very helpful. I hope that they are not a lucky few examples or the exception that proves the rule. We received a lot of written evidence for this inquiry that repeated the first half of your message. There are strategic requirements and duties on different agencies and bodies to collaborate and work together, …”

“That would certainly be very welcome. It certainly speaks to what the residents were telling us: that they are ready for that engagement, but they feel that no one is listening. What they really want to know, Ms Foley, is how well you, as agencies and authorities, collaborate with each other in practice to deliver floo…”

“That is a very helpful recommendation.”

“What do you think, Ms Foley?”

“I do not know if you were listening, but in the previous panel the residents told us that agencies do not take responsibility. They push it on to all the other agencies. So far, each of you has talked about other agencies that are responsible. Are the residents right?”

“How would you like that to change? If you were in charge, how would you organise this?”

“Just to be clear, the same council that told you to move your car is giving you a parking fine.”

“That is really helpful. My final question is to Ms Connor: to what extent do you feel that your group’s knowledge and experience has been listened to or used by local authorities, agencies or national bodies, and what could help to improve that relationship?”

“It is about remuneration. You also talked in your evidence about training. I noticed also that one of the other flood action groups, at Watton and Saham, talked about a national handbook for each community, so, again, you have that consistency. What were your views on that?”

“It is really interesting. That has come up a few times now: the inconsistency in how things operate, because we are relying on volunteers? You have inconsistency of geography, and then you have that inconsistency, where people are getting on with their lives. It waxes and wanes around the regularity of the flooding. I …”

“Ms Long-Dhonau, what challenges are there in trying to organise or sustain a local flood group? What would make it easier for communities to take action?”

“Could I ask the same question of you, Ms Connor? What has helped your community to come together to prepare for flooding? What kinds of support or partnerships have made the biggest difference?”

“Are they from the council? Where are they based? Are they a volunteer?”

“I would like to talk about the important role of community organisations. Mr French, what has helped your community to come together to prepare for flooding? What kinds of support or partnerships have made the biggest difference?”

“To be clear, Ms Connor, if only 40 people had come forward, what would have happened to them? Would they have got a grant?”

“Ms Connor, you mentioned that you organised a public meeting to find 50 other flooded homes in order to access the grant. Could you explain that, in case the others are not aware? What would have happened to your grant if 49 other homes had not been found?”

“When will the review conclude?”

“I have a small follow-up on your remarks about the resilience measures and the fact that you are feeding into the review at the moment. We have some examples in Shrewsbury, where residents applied for a grant and got planning permission for flood doors, but they have to go through the framework of contractors, so they …”

“I declare an interest: Siobhan Connor is known to me as a very active constituent in Shrewsbury.”

“Thank you. That is really helpful.”