Flood victim Dean Webb at the beginning of the year, Pentre. Photo by SC Cook
“MONTHS ON FROM FLOODS IN THE RHONDDA THAT RUINED PEOPLE’S LIVELIHOODS, VITAL QUESTIONS REMAIN UNANSWERED ABOUT WHY THEY HAPPENED AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN THE FUTURE. WITH CLIMATE BREAKDOWN A REALITY, WELSH GOVERNMENT HAS TO MAKE SURE OUR COMMUNTIES ARE BETTER PROTECTED. THEY SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE”
“It’s been the worst experience ever and I would never want to go through it again.” These are the words of one resident who experienced flooding this year, and is repeated by everyone affected by the floods that hit so many communities across RCT. And we weren’t the only communities affected, with similar scenes being seen across Wales.
All Councils affected have been overwhelmed, and it has been estimated that at least £500m more is needed in the next decade if Wales is to avoid significant flooding.
Unfortunately for the communities affected, many of the questions they have remain unanswered nine months on, with some suffering further floods as recently as August. Every time there is now heavy rainfall, people are naturally anxious. Action taken to date has not alleviated their fears.
A number of reports have either been published or are pending, but it is clear that they are limited in scope and are conducted by the organisations themselves rather than by an independent body. The evidence and experiences of people and businesses are also missing from these, meaning that there are obvious gaps and omissions.
Because of this, myself and other local Plaid Cymru representatives including Leanne Wood MS launched a campaign to secure an independent inquiry into the floods. Thousands of people signed a Senedd petition that I set up, and the Petitions Committee of the Senedd decided that it will be debated in the Senedd and a vote taken on the 9 December on whether there should be an independent inquiry or not. As outlined in this article, the campaign believes that this is the only way that we can secure the answers and justice for the residents and businesses affected.
We will also be presenting a motion on this matter to the full council meeting of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council on Wednesday, 25th November. It asks all Councillors to support an independent inquiry, and for “the Leader of the Council to write to the First Minister of Wales to call for an independent inquiry, stating that the Council will participate openly and transparently in such a process so that lessons can be learnt for the future and investment secured for flood prevention measures.”
To date, the Leader of the Council has rejected calls for an Independent Inquiry – something which we hope will change this week.
Climate breakdown.
The Welsh Government’s own report on Future Trends stated that as a result of climate change, Wales will experience more flooding, coastal changes, drought, shortages of water, risks to health and wellbeing from high temperatures, and risks to nature over the next decade.
An independent inquiry would help us understand the role the changes to the climate played in the flooding and determine what actions we need to take now – rather than in years to come – in response to climate change. It would also help determine how we should best invest to prevent flooding. RCT Council are taking some steps to try and prevent some further flooding but these are sticky plaster solutions rather than permanent ones. We need a plan that takes into account both the whole of RCT, and arguably the whole of Wales if we are serious in responding to the climate emergency.
An independent inquiry would also look at the impact the floods have had on the health and wellbeing of residents affected, both children and adults. All other reports looks at the material elements, but do not consider the human side of the impact.
We’re also conscious that many of those affected had been costed out of insurance or did not have cover for flood damage. This has had a huge financial impact on them, and also means they are either not able to secure insurance for the future or are facing extremely high premiums. We must look at how we can support businesses and residents in these areas, so that if the worst happens again in the future, they are protected.
Many businesses that were flooded are also lacking confidence in the way the reasons for the floods are being addressed and are now considering re-locating to an area where there is a lower risk of floods. Given the importance of businesses as employers, especially in an area such as the Treforest Industrial Estate, it would be a huge blow to an area that already has high unemployment and high dependency on food banks. This would further increase child poverty in the area.
Nant Y Gwyddon Tip
The precedent for commissioning an independent investigation was made in the first National Assembly for Wales in 2000. The Environment, Planning and Transport Committee – under the Chairmanship of Richard Edwards AM – commissioned a report on the notorious Nant Y Gwyddon Landfill Site.
Like flooding, there was already regulation covering waste disposal but it did not stop the committee from supporting an independent Investigation to learn the lessons and drive forward policy in Wales
The infamous tip in the Rhondda- which was linked to rare health complications among children living nearby – was operating throughout the investigation but closed following the publication of a very damning report. Many agencies regulating the hazardous waste at a national and local level were held to account in the final report, as was RCT and its predecessor Council. The Environment Agency, Audit Commission, Wales Office and National Assembly also had questions to answer.
This shows what an inquiry can achieve. We have nothing to lose, and everything to gain if we allow for proper scrutiny of the floods and our preparedness and response. Those affected must be given the opportunity to have their say and receive the answers they deserve about why the flooding occurred. This will help us better understand how to prevent flooding in the future, as far as is possible, and inform where investment is needed. It will also help inform how best to support the children, adults and businesses affected in a cohesive and joined up way as well.
Importantly and crucially, it would help RCT Council, Welsh Government, Dwr Cymru and Natural Resources Wales to understand if anything could have been done differently, before, during and after the floods. None of the reports currently underway or published will provide that honest and frank assessment which is essential if we are serious about learning lessons for the future. Please support an independent inquiry here.
The writer is a Plaid Cymru Councillor for Pontypridd Town ward
