IMPORTANT INFORMATION RECEIVED – FLOOD WARNING FROM THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

IMPORTANT INFORMATION – A Flood Warning has been issued by the Environment Agency.

 Flood Warning in force: Rolleston Brook and River Dove at Rolleston.

 Flooding is expected for: Rolleston Brook and River Dove at Rolleston including Alder Moor, Station Road and Burnside areas of Rolleston and Clay Mills.

 Immediate action required.

 River levels have risen sharply at the Anslow river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall.  Consequently, flooding of property is possible from 17:00 today, 02/01/24.  Flooding is affecting properties around The Lawns, Burnside, Brookside, Alderbrook Close and Station Road.

Further rainfall is forecast over the next 6 hours.  We expect river levels to remain high into Wednesday morning, 03/01/24.

We are closely monitoring the situation.  Our incident response staff are actively checking river levels and the weather forecast and clearing weed screens.

Please activate any property flood protection products you may have, such as flood barriers and air brick covers and call 999 if in immediate danger.

Avoid contact with flood water.

This message will be updated by 10:00 on 03/01/24, or as the situation changes.

 What you should consider doing now

* Act on your flood plan if you have one.

 * Move your family and pets to a safe place.

 * Businesses should inform staff and customers, ensure that they can get to safety and move stock to a safe place.

 * Move your car or other vehicles to higher ground, if it is safe to do so.

 * Use flood protection equipment, such as flood barriers, air brick covers and pumps to protect your property. Any equipment should be professionally supplied and installed to help reduce the impact of flood water.

 * Move important items upstairs or to a safe place in your property, starting with cherished items of personal value that you will not be able to replace (such as family photographs). Next move valuables (such as computers), movable furniture and furnishings.

 * You may need to leave your property, so pack a bag with enough items for a few nights away. Include essential items including a torch with spare batteries, mobile phone and charger, warm clothes, home insurance information, water, food, first aid kit and any prescription medicines or baby care items you may need.

 * Turn off gas, electricity and water mains supplies before flood water starts to enter your property. Never touch an electrical switch if you are standing in water.

 * If it is safe to do so, make sure neighbours are aware of the situation and offer help to anyone who may need it.

 * Listen to the advice of the emergency services and be ready to evacuate your property if told to do so. Most evacuation centres will let you bring your pets.

 * Avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water. 30 cm of fast-flowing water can move a car and 6 inches can knock an adult off their feet.

 * Flood water is dangerous and may be polluted. Wash your hands thoroughly if you’ve been in contact with it.

 To check the latest information for your area

* Visit the GOV.UK website to see the current flood warnings, view river and sea levels or check the 5-day flood risk forecast: https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/target-area/033FWF3ROLLESTON

 * Or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 using quickdial code: 308120.

Have your say!

A message from Ben Adams, Police and Fire Commissioner for Staffordshire:

As a key partner I would personally like to invite you to take part in a consultation to provide feedback on how much you would be prepared to pay for Policing and Fire & Rescue services in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

I am responsible for setting the budget for Staffordshire Police, and Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service, including the amount of council tax used for both services.

For 2024/25, I am asking residents of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to share their views on the following options, based on a Band D property currently paying £260.57 each year for Police services and £84.25 for Fire & Rescue services.

Police:
No increase in precept
An extra £5 per year (42p extra a month) This is a 1.92% increase.
An extra £10 per year (83p extra a month) This is a 3.84% increase.
An extra £15 per year (£1.25 extra a month) This is a 5.76% increase.
An extra £20 per year (£1.67 extra a month) This is a 7.68% increase.

Fire & Rescue:
No increase in precept
An extra £2.50 per year (21p extra a month) This is a 2.97% increase.
An extra £3.75 per year (31p extra a month) This is a 4.45% increase.
An extra £5 per year (42p extra a month) This is a 5.94% increase.

While both services have sound finances, the future is uncertain with energy costs remaining high, international instability and the cost of servicing our national debt following the pandemic likely to restrict central government grants. Staffordshire Police and Fire & Rescue will continue to make savings and increase productivity but to secure their future, to keep improving service levels and provide the security we expect, it will require investment.

This year, many people have seen their pay, benefit or pension increase but balancing household budgets is still challenging. I aim to keep council tax as low as possible and will only ask for more in order to maintain or improve your Police and Fire & Rescue Service.

I would welcome your thoughts on these options.

What level of additional council tax contributions would you support to help our Police and Fire & Rescue services?

I have attached a graphic and suggested content for use on social media and would appreciate any support in promoting this consultation.

The council tax consultation runs until 4 January 2024.

Have your say here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/precept24-25

Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime, Ben Adams