Do you want to make a difference to flood risk in the South West?
Over five million people are at risk from the devastating effects of flooding in the UK, with thousands of properties at risk in the South West. And the Environment Agency is looking for enthusiastic people to advise on the management of flood risk throughout the South West and make a real difference to people’s lives and to the environment we live in.
The Agency is looking for people from all walks of life to fill vacancies on both the South West and Wessex Regional Flood and Coastal Committees (RFCCs). Being an RFCC member is an exciting opportunity to help guide local flood and coastal management across the whole region.
The South West RFCC covers Devon and Cornwall, while the Wessex RFCC covers Somerset, Dorset, Bristol, most of Wiltshire and parts of Gloucestershire and Hampshire.
Successful applicants will play an important role in deciding on local priorities; raising local levies; approving programmes of work; and supporting us and lead local flood authorities in working with communities and other partners.
They will have a key role in balancing local priorities and making sure that investment is co-ordinated at the river catchment and shoreline scale, as well as promoting the consideration of climate change impacts in local decision making.
The Environment Agency is recruiting for the following independent members:
South West: One member to represent nature, conservation and wider environmental issues. The person will need to provide an environmental perspective at meetings, helping the Committee to understand the conservation impact of specific projects; also monitor and review programmes of flood and coastal risk management works and the conservation issues to be addressed; and to provide a link between the Committee, Natural England and other conservation organisations in the Committee’s area.
One member to represent inland flooding issues – the person will need to demonstrate a knowledge of issues relating to inland flooding, including river, surface and groundwater flooding.
Wessex: One member to represent agriculture and land management – the person will need a good knowledge of the different agriculture and land management issues across the committee’s area.
A key role will be ensuring the aims of the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy are embodied within the committee’s decisions and to ensure consistency between strategic and local plans.
Further information can be found at http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/aboutus/organisation/35633.aspx
The Agency is trying to encourage as many people as possible to apply and has made a short video on YouTube to publicise the vacancies. It can be viewed on this page or by following the link:
http://youtu.be/tLzJz-tT2vA
Richard Cresswell, Regional Director of the Environment Agency in the South West, said: "We’re looking for people who are persuasive and able to influence change, who are used to making difficult decisions, and who can make a positive difference to communities, the environment and the local economy in the face of a changing climate.
"It has never been so crucial as it is now to reduce the risk of flooding to the thousands of people who live in the south west. We will appoint independent members in their own right, not as representatives of any particular organisation. Drawing on their sectoral and professional knowledge, they will be expected to bring impartiality to the committee, along with their personal skills and experience."
These are not paid roles but reasonable expenses can be claimed.
Applications are available on the Environment Agency's website or contact Sarah Harding – sarah.harding@environment-agency.gov.uk or 01392 442184. The closing date for applications is Friday 3 May 2013.
