Meeting Minutes:

Apologies were received, noted and accepted from Cllrs A Damodaran and B Todd, and noted from B Brownless, P Byrne, R McKillop, J Martin and L Martin. Cllr S Taylor was absent.

None

Resolved: that the minutes, pages 9636 – 9638, be signed by the chairman as a true and accurate record of the meeting

none

It was noted that long-term volunteer Margaret Watts had regretfully resigned from the committee after many years of support, previously available to help staff a Rest Centre if necessary. Also volunteer Nick Harris has resigned for the time being, but may be able to return. The chairman recorded thanks to both for their past preparedness to help the Edenbridge community in an emergency.

It was Resolved: to co-opt Michael Gemmell Smith as a committee member.

Members noted the position up to 23 March 20221, and that Item 7.2 proposed expenditure from remaining budget funding.

Members noted the annual budget of £360 was confirmed for the coming year.

Close occurrence of storms Dudley and Eunice nationally in February was the most significant event, with the committee being on “standby” to support the community if needed, The “walkie talkie” radios were charged ready, but not required, and office staff worked from home after mid-morning, as travel became inadvisable. Power outage occurred in the northern end of Edenbridge for about 12 hours, and to the east around Hever and Four Elms for a similar period. Local trees did not cause much damage.

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 – meeting with SDC as a first step was scheduled for March 31. This would also cover investigation of the Southern Water pumping station.
• Investigate the possibility of adding extra gully drains in Crouch House Road – discussions were under way with Kent Highways, including the role of new property connections influencing run-off flows.
  Water collecting at the junction with Stangrove Road was also highlighted for consideration.
• Arrange a residents’ information meeting, with Environment Agency – further flooding scenario information had meanwhile been added to the Council’s website
• Check the Environment Agency debris screens – an update to the locations map had been requested, to confirm existing and any new locations

Investigation of super-fast mobile phone chargers for emergency use had been carried out, also the alternative of battery packs for use in event of power outage, to be charged in advance at the time of a storm warning, as the radios are.

It was recommended that the committee purchased both options: a six-port superfast mainscharging facility, and a pack of assorted connecting cables at a combined price of £60, which could charge six devices at once; plus a Power Bank, portable charger at £55 plus VAT.

Resolved: to purchase both items as recommended, at a total of £115 plus VAT, to facilitate recharge of volunteers’ mobile phones during an emergency response.

It was still not planned to reopen the office to members of the public for the time being, 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.

Members were pleased to note the collective Edenbridge Community response won an award in the Sevenoaks District Council’s Community and Voluntary Awards in Sevenoaks earlier this month.

It was noted this would be included in the meeting with SDC later in the week.

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

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

The possibility of producing a letter with advice and a household emergency plan was being investigated, for distribution to properties in the flood zone, and to be in digital form as well as hard copy.

The Vice-chairman and Robert McKillop have carried out the first stage of checking the radio equipment, including re-programming. Cllrs Compton and Gemmell Smith volunteered to check over the other equipment held at Doggetts Barn.

No-one in attendance.

No-one in attendance.

No report

Members were advised two of the defibrillators in the town (in Stangrove Park, and in the High Street) had recently been deployed, giving both casualties the best chance of a good outcome. This highlighted the value of the equipment, and the need to add as many locations as possible to the dozen already publicly accessible in the parish. The railway stations were suggested, for example.

None.

24 October 2022 – Rickards Hall

There were no new items identified for a news release.