A Meeting of the Parish Council was held on Tuesday 9th September  2008 at 8:00pm
in the Memorial Hall, Motcombe.

The following were present: A Cardy (Chairman) M. Hagger (Vice Chairman);
J. Odell; S. Rogers; A Hessay; K. Stedman; D Tucker; J. Phillipson; W. Lancaster;
A Leask ; Mrs J Jones (Clerk) and 21 members of the public.

The following information was presented at the village fete last month: 

Motcombe Parish Council

’18 Acres’ draft development plan

Thank you for taking an interest in the development of the land known as the ‘18 acres’ [now to be known as 'Motcombe Meadows' following the vote at the fete and online]. This information sheet is intended for you to take away and think at leisure about the proposal, and then let us have any comments good or bad.

Bearing in mind the recent torrential rainfall that has beset our part of Dorset, followed by the presence of the Fire Brigade to try and alleviate the resulting floods, the Parish Council Clerk Jane Jones has made great efforts to discover who and how to make contact in the event of problems. These are her findings, provided for everybodys reference:

"I could not find any particular records from the past about this - so have been in touch with both Wessex Water ... and the Environment Agency.

It appears that whilst Wessex Water do have some responsibilities - the main ones rest with the Environment Agency which approved building on flood plains in the first place!  I have discovered that it is possible to ring Flood Warnings Direct on 0845 988 1188 to subscribe to a 'warning service' if you recognise your property might be vulnerable.  I had imagined that the area might be 'assessed' and information given - along with practical things like sandbags etc - but it's not like that.  It is up to the householder to seek information and then purchase what they might need themselves. 

To access the main pool of information/advice/contacts www.environment-agency.gov.uk under 'flooding' is the place to look.  As I think I mentioned on the phone, Wessex Water 'Floodline' on 0845 85 05959 and WW 'Emergency' is 0845 600 4600 - should the problems be to do with drains overflowing etc."

Dorset County Council have changed their contact number. There is now a single number for all types of enquiries which is available much longer each day...