FLOODING IN NORTH YORKSHIRE

Motion Text

That this House regrets the devastation caused by the flash floods in Thirsk and Sutton-under-Whitestonecliff and surrounding villages; recognises the rapid response of the emergency services, which secured a safe rescue of people caught in their homes and in their cars; pays tribute to the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, North Yorkshire Police, officials from North Yorkshire County Council, Hambledon District Council, Yorkshire Region Environment Agency and Cool Beck Internal Drainage Board; further regrets the damage caused to property, homes, cars, personal belongings, farms, livestock and crops; notes that the severity and force of the flood has caused significant damage to local roads and bridges which access the local communities; further recognises their significant replacement costs; calls on the Government to furnish North Yorkshire County Council with the necessary financial support to secure access to farms and properties and to refund local authorities for the total cost of the emergency through the Barnett formula; and further calls for the streamlining of the organisations responsible for home defences and a review of funding arrangements.