Stockport Council’s new Labour administration has pledged to revisit local contingency planning in the borough after significant rainfall led to flooding in Bramhall, Offerton and Hazel Grove over the weekend.
After less than a month in opposition the Liberal Democrats have brazenly issued a statement which outlines the myriad of failings in planning for future flooding events under their stewardship of the Council.
The Labour Executive was already aware of these gaps and has resolved to strengthen civil resilience in Stockport.
Labour Leader of the Council Alex Ganotis said ‘I’d like to pay tribute to how residents, our emergency services and Council officers pulled together to respond to this flooding to ensure everybody has been kept safe and as much property protected as possible in very difficult circumstances.
‘After the widespread flooding across Greater Manchester last Christmas I asked the then Lib Dem Leader of the Council at the Council Meeting on 28th January whether she would agree to revisit Stockport’s local contingency plans.
‘In response I was given no indication whatsoever of any proactive local work underway or any undertaking to react constructively to protect Stockport for the next event – instead I received a complacent response of ‘civil resilience is done across Greater Manchester’.
‘I’m sure residents affected over the weekend will demand to know what action was taken by the previous Executive to plan ahead for events which, far from being unforeseen, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service actually warned the Council about last year.’
Labour Councillor Philip Harding has already requested a detailed report on the handling of the flooding to go to the Council’s Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee, something the Labour Executive will then respond to with proposals to improve Stockport’s contingency planning.
Executive Councillor for Communities and Housing Sheila Bailey said ‘I was in constant contact with Council officers who were co-ordinating the response over the weekend and, in the circumstances, staff did all that was possible to deal with the situation. The immediate priority was to get help and support to residents affected as a matter of urgency.
‘I have already asked for a full investigation to take place which will identify the causes of the flooding, allow Labour Councillors to take any action which is recommended, and prevent a reoccurrence of these events in future.’