Rutland County Council Struggled to Fill Flood Officer Role After Storm Henk, a flood officer was appointed today.
Rutland County Council has faced challenges in recruiting a dedicated flood officer following the devastating impacts of Storm Henk in January 2024.
The storm brought widespread flooding across the East Midlands, prompting the council to establish a scrutiny evidence panel to investigate and improve future flood response. One key recommendation was the appointment of a flood officer to enhance the county's preparedness.
However, as reported in November 2024, Cabinet Member for Environment, Christine Wise, acknowledged difficulties in filling the position. She attributed this to competitive salaries offered by other consultancies across the country.
"We have encountered challenges in attracting a suitable candidate for the flood officer role," stated Wise. "Unfortunately, other organisations are offering significantly higher salaries, making it difficult to compete."
Despite these setbacks, Rutland County Council has now successfully appointed a flood officer. Their first day on the job will undoubtedly be memorable, coinciding with another significant flooding event in the county.
This recent flooding incident underscores the critical need for a dedicated flood officer to lead and coordinate the county's response to these increasingly frequent events. The new appointee will play a crucial role in improving flood resilience, mitigating future risks, and supporting affected communities.
