Newsletter April 2022

An Introductory Message from the Chairmen

We are proud to say that despite all of the challenges we have faced this year the Drainage Boards in the Somerset Drainage Boards Consortium have adjusted when necessary and continued to deliver a thorough and professional service to the public.

We have successfully outsourced delivery of all of our maintenance work and we have an excellent group of contractors appointed who are managed by our in-house area supervisors. We have also delivered a programme of improvement works for the Boards and continue to collaborate with professional partners including the Environment Agency, Local Authorities and the Somerset Rivers Authority for the benefit of the area.

Having lost a number of key staff this year we are pleased to be embarking on a new recruitment campaign and we aim to be back to full operating strength as quickly as possible to take on the challenges that the future will bring. We will of course continue to manage water levels and flood risk for the benefit of the area and in doing so we will be open to new ways of working in the best interests of all those who we serve.

Looking to the future we have recently heard that Bridgwater Tidal Barrier has now been approved by the Secretary of State and we must congratulate all of those who have been instrumental in getting the project to this point. We will of course continue to support partners in its delivery over the next few years.

In the southern part of the North Somerset Levels IDB we have a vacancy for a new board member and would welcome expressions of interest for that position.

Our thanks go to all Board members, staff, professional partners and members of the public, who have worked with us over the last year.

Together we are sure we will continue to deliver a service we can be proud of.

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