Kirklees Council is seeking active participation from residents in shaping the new Local Flood Risk Management Strategy, which outlines the council’s responsibility for mitigating flooding risks within the area.
Presently, there are more than 44,000 properties at risk of various types of flooding throughout the district. Unfortunately, with the impact of climate change, these numbers are projected to increase in the future.
While it may not be feasible to prevent all instances of flooding, the council is committed to making every effort to effectively manage the risk and minimize its impact on local communities and businesses.
As the Lead Local Flood Authority, the council plays a significant role in collaborating with other organizations to address flood risk in Kirklees.
The strategy offers a comprehensive plan for managing local flood risk, safeguarding at-risk properties, and accounting for the potential effects of climate change in the years to come.
Additionally, this strategy aligns with the national approach to flood risk and emphasizes a long-term vision to protect Kirklees and its communities.
To ensure the strategy represents the collective voice of the residents, the council invites feedback from Kirklees inhabitants through a consultation process. The insights gathered from this consultation will contribute to shaping the new strategy, with the aim of adopting it by 2024.
Residents can access the strategy and relevant documents and actively participate in the process by visiting kirklees.gov.uk/flooding. The consultation period is open until 18 September, providing ample time for everyone to get involved and have their say.
Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Growth & Regeneration, says; “We currently have more than 44,000 properties in Kirklees which are at risk of flooding for various reasons. These are people’s homes, their businesses, their lives – and we only expect flood risks to rise with the effects of climate change.
“We’ll never be able to prevent all flooding, but we want to make our communities, our local businesses and our land more resilient, so we can protect and enhance Kirklees for future generations.
“I want to urge Kirklees residents, particularly those who know their property may be at risk of flooding, to have their say on this new strategy before it’s adopted. We want to do everything we can to support those at risk.”
