Protect people from the 'ever increasing threat of flooding'. Chair job and committee role on offer

By PRSD, on Thursday, July 22, 2010

Defra and the Environment Agency are looking for people living in Devon (and Cornwall) who can help in the prevention and management of (and these are their words) ‘the ever increasing risk of flooding to communities in the South West’.

There is a vacancy for a new chair on the South West Regional Flood Defence Committee, responsible for deciding on the Environment Agency’s annual programme of flood defence improvement and maintenance work.

The committee is made up of Local Authority members and Defra representatives to oversee the delivery of a multi million pound programme of work. It meets four times a year at the Environment Agency offices in Exeter and Bodmin.

Richard Cresswell, Environment Agency regional director, told the PRSD: ‘This committee plays a critical role in delivering our strategic aims in relation to flood risk. We are now looking for a new chairman who can lead the committee, protect communities, and deliver a major programme of work.’

The chair’s remuneration is currently set at £17,503 and is based on a time commitment of five days per month (we reckon you multiply it by four to get the approximate pro rata).

As a seasoned chair and leader, the successful candidate will need the skills that will bring different voices and opinions together to create successful partnerships and ensure this important work is done.

‘This is highly satisfying work that will help protect thousands of lives and businesses, and an outstanding opportunity for a person of very high calibre,’ said Richard.

There is also a vacancy for an additional committee member, with a conservation portfolio, to join the flood risk management committee. Committee members are non-salaried but can claim travel expenses and, in some cases, subsistence and financial loss allowance.

All candidates should live or work in the Environment Agency’s South West region.

Further information on both vacancies can be obtained from the Environment Agency’s website or by calling Sarah Harding, External Relations Officer, Environment Agency South West Region at sar...@environment-agency.gov.uk or 01392 442184.

The closing date for applications is Thursday, August 5 with appointees taking up their posts in October 2010. Interviews will take place first week of September.