CLLR Alan Quinn made a very good point regarding Bury North MP David Nuttall’s Conservative Government’s apparent reluctance to apply for money from the EU Solidarity Fund (February 25), which could be utilised to assist with the funding for more robust flood defences in our borough. Indeed, it is good to hear some more recent and positive news on the matter.

With the Bury Council budget cut to the bone by George Osborne and our council tax now having to be raised to pay for his failed free-market for the rich and austerity economics for the poor, the £3.9 million shortfall in matched-funding to the £9 million from the Environment Agency (EA), may still present councillors with a daunting challenge.

Bury Greens believe that if ever there was to be a need to dip into the council’s reserve (and this would only be in the very last resort), then this must surely be it.

The EA desperately needs the co-operation of all those residents who were directly affected by the flooding in order to feed new and accurate data into the remodelling of the flood defence scheme for Bury which was near completion.

Fully aware of the long-term effects of climate change, with more flooding likely to be on its way in the future, Mark Garrant, of the EA, also called on residents to set up local flooding action groups and asked for flooding advisers to come forward.

Judging by reports from Radcliffe East residents in particular that Bury Council’s Emergency Services did not appear anywhere near the disaster areas for three days after Boxing Day — an accusation accepted by Labour MP Ivan Lewis and not refuted by the Leader of the Cllr Connolly — Bury Greens have little faith in the council’s ability or willingness to organise such local flood action groups and identify flood advisers.

This is why our Green volunteers have begun a dialogue with local residents across the borough with the aim of setting up these groups.

We will be seeking answers to those questions at the next full council meeting.

The victims of the catastrophic consequences of the River Irwell bursting its banks should also ask questions directly to their local councillor, as should residents affected by the overflowing of Bealey’s Goit in Radcliffe, Ramsbottom residents and all the victims of blocked drains and culverts everywhere across the Borough.

Dr Glyn Heath

Bury Green Party