A CAMPAIGNING councillor has called for flood defence budgets to be safeguarded to protect the public in face of changing weather patterns.

Ray Howard, a member of the regional flood defence committee, called for the organisation’s budget to come directly from council taxpayers in the same way as the police and fire service.

The organisation receives the main part of its budget in the form of an annual payment from the six councils – Essex, Thurrock, Havering, Southend, Norfolk and Suffolk.

However, Mr Howard, believes recent events such as the widespread floods that hit Essex last week, prove the budget is too important to rely on the goodwill of local authorities.

He said: “The financial situation means councils are looking at where to cut. Areas like social services and education are untouchable, which leaves flooding very vulnerable. That can’t be right.

“The changes in weather patterns mean it could flood anywhere at anytime and we need to have the budgets in place to protect people.”

The regional flood defence committee has just set this year’s budget.

It received £2.59million from local authorities, the same as the year before.

The money is spent on maintaining flood defences, such as the sea walls on Canvey, South Benfleet and Southend.

Mr Howard added: “I’m delighted with this year’s budget settlement. People recognise flooding as such an important concern it must have its budget protected. It won’t cost council taxpayers any more money, it just means money that would have gone to Essex County Council and Southend Council, would go directly to being spent on flood defences.”

The regional flood defence committee also receives money from farmers and landowners to deal with drainage issues, while it gets direct grants from the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs for major projects.