Last updated at 13:21, Friday, 18 December 2009

FLOOD victims have started a campaign to show a vote of no confidence to South Lake District Council’s top members.

The petition, pinned to the wall in the Flood Support Centre in North Lonsdale Road, Ulverston, has been signed by a handful of people in protest against SLDC’s cabinet.

Flood victim Marion Sumpton, of North Lonsdale Road, started the protest in response to comments made by SLDC cabinet members Councillor Graham Vincent and Councillor Brenda Woof, at last week’s flood summit in Ulverston.

Mrs Sumpton suggested Cllr Vincent showed disregard for flood victims’ plight when he insisted plans to build an industrial estate in North Lonsdale Road are to go ahead, provided the successful tender proves it has addressed the localised flooding problem.

That was despite calls from residents and opposition councillors to take the land off the market, in the belief that further development would increase the threat of floods.

Mrs Sumpton, who is now living upstairs in her home, said: “To hear them say it was not a good enough reason not to go ahead with the plans, I thought it showed total disregard when there was a roomful of people who have been through so much.”

Councillor Brendan Jameson, leader of SLDC, said the chosen tenders for theindustrial site would have to prove they could improve the flood situation before given permission to start. He said: “I can understand the heightened concerns of the residents after the floods. We take all these issues into consideration and though I can only try to understand their difficulties and emotional trauma at this time, I can say we want to promote the benefits we would expect from this development – and that’s that we would expect it to alleviate the flood problem.”

Several voluntary efforts are being made at the support centre.

The Red Cross has had a daily presence, with some of its volunteers making a 160-mile round trip from Burnley to lend support between 10am and 3pm.

Sonja Randle, Red Cross district manager for east Lancashire, said: “The country is divided into 23 Red Cross areas so each area is asked to help, so we were pleased to look after Ulverston.”

Commenting on the overall effort of residents, councillors and other volunteers at the centre, Ms Randle said: “It’s the great British spirit. Everybody helps and that’s what we’re here to do.”

Daphne Litt, a Red Cross volunteer who has been setting off from Lancashire with Ms Randle at 8.15am, said: “Some of them need a lot of love and tender care. It’s the shock.”

Ladies from Ulverston Inner Wheel Club have been sharing one-hour shifts at the centre, helping with washing, playing with children and much more.

Volunteer Jean Day said: “I’m sure there’s been moments where people are feeling a bit lost. But hopefully we can make a small difference by being here to listen and give advice.”

Residents using the centre are trying to organise a Christmas party and have already decorated the room. One festive treat already confirmed is tomorrow’s free trip for flood-affected Ulverston children to South Lakes Wild Animal Park and Dalton Christmas Tree Festival. The trip has been paid for by Dalton Town Council.

The flood centre is generally open between 7am and 7pm, though it may closed for brief intervals.

County Councillor for Ulverston east, Peter Hornby, who is at the centre on a daily basis, praised the entire joint voluntary effort.”

First published at 12:57, Friday, 18 December 2009
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk