Meeting Minutes:

Apologies were received and noted from P Byrne, N Harris, R McKillop, J Martin and L Martin.

Cllr M V McArthur was proposed as committee chairman, and there being no other nominations, members

Resolved: Cllr M V McArthur be elected committee chairman for the ensuing year

Cllr J Aldridge was proposed as committee vice-chairman, and there being no other nominations, members

Resolved: Cllr J Aldridge be elected committee vice-chairman for the ensuing year.

None

Resolved: that the minutes, pages 9420 - 9422 be signed by the chairman as a true and accurate record of the meeting

None

It was noted that long-term volunteer Jenny Brown had regretfully resigned from the committee after many years of support, not only as a licensed radio operator, but also as a Flood Warden, no longer being able to respond to emergency situations if necessary. Other committee members also no longer able to continue were Linda Brown, Gwen Chappell, Mary Grieve, Doreen Howe, Helen Jackman, Marjorie Johnson, Gill Lambert, Gill New, Ronnie Pearman, Wendy Sneyd, and Sara Young. These were all previously available to support a Rest Centre if necessary.

The chairman recorded thanks to all for their past preparedness to help the Edenbridge community in an emergency. She proposed to talk to Silver Command at Sevenoaks about future Rest Centre arrangments.

It was noted formal co-option provided non-councillor committee members with the opportunity to speak at meetings (though not to vote on decisions) and also insurance cover during activities.

The list of individual co-optees was reviewed as follows: Rose Briggs, Ben Brownless, Helen Burgess, Paul Byrne, Mick Cross, Jill Davison, Helen Doyle, Nick Harris, Bob Hart, Jan Hart, Mark Ilsley, Jim Kimber, Steven Knightley, Charles Laver, John Martin, Lesley Martin, Robert McKillop, Steve Mercer, Robert Peters, Vicki Raeburn-Ward, Malcolm Rogers, Richard Rooth, Colin Thurston, Margaret Watts, Richard Williams, Rev Stephen Mitchell.

Resolved: to approve the above list of co-optees to the committee

Members noted the position up to 31 October 2021, and that the annual radio licence fee was due for payment in November.

Members noted the annual budget stood at £339, and had proved sufficient for the past year.

It was Resolved: to request that the budget would remain at £339 for the next financial year.

It was noted that there had been a few alerts of possible weather events, which could have had repercussions for the Edenbridge area, but mostly did not deliver the effects felt in some places a little further afield. The “walkie talkie” radios were charged ready on a couple of occasions, but not needed, and the flood alert issued in September reduced after a day of steady river flow-through. The stand-by stock of sandbags at Mowshurst Barn had been replenished with a further 60 supplied by SDC.

There were still a number of outstanding actions identified at the previous committee meeting which need to be pursued:

• Convene a multi-agency meeting including Kent Highways, District Council, Environment Agency, and Police, with the Town Council It was suggested that riparian owners, and the Upper Medway Internal Drainage Board should be included in that meeting.
• Investigate function of the Southern Water pumping station The possibility of adding extra gully drains in Crouch House Road to lessen the flow off fields to the west was also being invesigated.
• Arrange a residents’ information meeting, with Environment Agency Adding further flood scenario information to the Council’s website was suggested.
• Check the Environment Agency debris screens Locations to be confirmed
• Investigate super-fast phone chargers for emergency use The alternative of battery packs for mobile phones was suggested for investigation

Members noted lanyards had been acquired for Councillors and volunteers’ use, to assist with identification when out in the community

It was still not planned to reopen the office to members of the public for the foreseeable future, but residents could continue to access services and the sale of waste and garden bags by maintaining social distancing outside the office. The system established by the Town Council for community support still existed, and could be re-activated if necessary. A number of one-to-one support arrangements continued between residents – which grew out of the volunteering activity.

Registered Flood Wardens had received invitations to join on-line “bite-size” training on a variety of topics this autumn, including surface water flooding – no need to register, just click the link on that evening to take part. There were currently 14 wardens registered for Edenbridge.

The Town Council had approved expenditure up to £289 for one person to attend an on-line conference on 8th February focused on Flooding: Resilience, Management and Response.

The committee had not arranged a practical exercise for some considerable time, and the need had been identified through the recent visit of the Council’s Health and Safety consultant.

It was Resolved: Cllrs S Taylor, J Aldridge, and the Deputy Clerk would be part of an organising team.

The town’s Emergency Plan was reviewed annually, usually in November, though updates were added as necessary during the year.

It was Resolved: Cllrs Baker, Compton and Layland would carry out this review, and report back any required updates.

It was not possible to pursue this project in the first part of this year, and the idea of repeating the previous delivery of an info-pack of booklets was no longer feasible as most of the information had gone on-line. The proposal now was to provide households in vulnerable properties with a letter from the Town Council, and include with it the Personal Flood Plan template to be completed, and basic guidance on the most effective use of sandbags as a temporary defence for premises.

Resolved: Cllr Layland head this project, with Paul Byrne, Richard Rooth, Colin Thurstan and Jill Davison.

Each year two or three committee members carry out a check on the Emergency Planning equipment held in store.

It was Resolved: Cllr Todd with Robert McKillop would carry out this check.