Community Emergency Group meeting a success

Over 60 people attended the Community Emergency Group (CEG) update meeting hosted by Melksham Without Parish Council and Community Action: Whitley and Shaw (CAWS) at Shaw School last month.

Chair of Melksham Without Parish Council, Richard Wood started by  summarising the meeting in October 2014, followed by Danny Everett from Wiltshire Council and Dr Vicky Farwig from the Environment Agency who  gave an update on the  progress so far and on what has been happening behind the scenes.  This included level surveys, building two catchment models, an independent review by the Environment Agency and the announcement that Telemetry funding has been approved.  The next steps are for an options appraisal following the Atkins study in early 2017. Options include diversion channels near our school, raised defences, river engineering and upsizing culverts at Shurnhold to name but a few. Once funding investigations have taken place construction could well start in 2017.

Chair of CAWS, Michelle Tattersall gave a summary of how CAWS and the CEG committee have developed over the last two years and introduced some of the members from CEG who were there on the evening.  The role of the CEG group was highlighted which is for residents to support other residents in an emergency situation, not of course to take the place of any emergency service.

Tony Bruun (CEG) gave an insight into what equipment the initial grant from SSE (Southern & Scottish Electricity) has been spent on and how the group have worked to identify the roles and skills they have as well as continuing to write the Emergency Plan. Tony continued by stating what is next for CEG which is to review their roles in not just a flooding emergency but also other emergencies such as a snow fall, flu epidemic and more.  Their work will also include holding training exercises and maintaining the equipment they have purchased.

Before the audience were given the chance to ask questions, Tony informed residents of how they too can help themselves; protecting yourself where you can, community spirit – knowing yours and your neighbour’s needs; be prepared and get involved with CEG.

Simon Jacobs, Wiltshire Councillor with responsibility for flood operations congratulated the work that had taken place by the CEG and residents for getting involved and leading the way in becoming a resilient community.

If you would like to get involved and be part of the CEG contact Tony Bruun on 07932 117071.