I reported in my last column that I was working together with the Rural Services Group in parliament to get a fairer share of funding for delivering rural services. I am delighted that the Local Government Minister listened to our case we stressed that it is often more costly to deliver services to remoter rural areas than urban areas. Our endeavours did not go unrewarded and as a result Taunton Deane Council are being allocated £47,000 more than was expected over the next 3 years through its rural services funding grant. There is still an unacceptable gap between urban and rural funding but in constrained times every little helps.

Money that does appear to have been well spent is the £20million the government has ploughed into the flood protection works on the Somerset Levels following the devastating floods of 2013/14.  I was heartened to discover on a fact finding foray across the area in the wake of Storm Imogen that the measures taken so far are working effectively, the dredging enabled water to be taken away quickly, pumping was working well and well positioned barriers helped direct the traffic. Land management work in the wider catchment area is underway to slow the flow of water off the hills too.

And for those in flood risk areas concerned about finding affordable home insurance the launch of the Flood Re scheme, instigated by government, should provide some consolation. The scheme has been established in conjunction with the insurance companies who all contribute to the costs as part of a ‘levy’ which is used to pay flood claims which should stabilise and hopefully reduce  prices and excesses for policy holders. It launches on April 4th although you will still need to shop around for the best deals. The scheme was not devised to cover business but it’s apparent that many small companies, especially home based businesses like bed and breakfast enterprises took a big hit in the floods and suitable insurance cover for them needs consideration. A good opportunity to raise this will be during the forthcoming flood inquiry being held by the Environment Food and Farming Select Committee of which I am a member.