The 'Defend Our Coast Association' ( or DOC for short) has been set up by local people living on the Romney Marsh following the previous lack of community involvement by Government Agencies during sea defence policy planning, Shoreline Management Plans and consultation with local stakeholders. DOC aims to achieve that a balanced approach is adopted by Government during the decision making process to ensure the safety of the Marsh. DOC is committed to the continued defence of our coastline, ultimately reducing the flood risk to the Marsh, the borders of which extend across East Sussex and Kent, and consequently ensuring the protection of its inhabitants and precious environment. DOC is a non-political Association aiming to highlight current sea defence issues and associated effects of climate change within our local communities and to improve coastal literacy. Read more ...
The Environment Agency has updated their website which allows customers to access local flood information via a simple postcode search. These improvements should help people to recognise their own flood risk.
Posted: May 7th, 2013 under Flood Risk.
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On the 26 March 2013 a debate took place in Westminster regarding the future of flood insurance and matters concerning the Statement of Principle with the ABI (Association of British Insurers which is due to expire on 30 June 2013. Click here to read through the full transcript of this debate. The clock is indeed ticking with no solution in sight as yet!
Posted: March 28th, 2013 under Flood Insurance, Flood Risk.
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Latest update from the Environment Agency on progress for our sea defence schemes on the Marsh.
Posted: March 28th, 2013 under Environment Agency Updates, Sea Defences.
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In March 2012 Government promised to find a solution to flood risk insurance, given that the current agreement with Insurance industry (Statement of Principles) runs out in June 2013, but despite endless assertions that a solution is ‘just around the corner’ nothing substantive has happened yet. DOC is a member of the National Flood Forum which supports and represents people at risk of flooding. The National Flood Forum is now challenging Government to demonstrate its commitment and calls for specific proposals to be put forward by the Secretary of State for DEFRA (Owen Patterson MP) in order to guarantee that flood risk insurance will be available beyond June 2013. Unless Government can take straight forward decisions now people living in flood risk areas across the country will otherwise be left at risk and unable to obtain household insurance cover incorporating the flood risk element at affordable prices.
Posted: March 15th, 2013 under Flood Risk, Press Articles General.
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The Executive DOC Committee wishes to remind all DOC Members that a Special Meeting of the Association is taking place on Friday, 22 March 2013 at 7.30 pm at the Guild Hall in Lydd.
This meeting is for DOC Members only.
Posted: March 15th, 2013 under Events.
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MP Damian Collins recently received a commitment from the Environment Secretary Own Paterson that new flood maps for our area would be available latest by April 2013. These maps are intended to provide sufficient information/data which should help homeowners on the Marsh to obtain adequate flood insurance cover. There are a number of local insurance brokers (listed below) who can give advice. DOC would be keen to hear if you experience problems obtaining flood insurance or have a success story to share. We will pass your comments on to our MPs and to the appropriate Government Departments.
Blue Shield Insurance Services, Hythe
Posted: February 8th, 2013 under Flood Risk.
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The Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has stated that Government had been too slow in bringing in measures to adequately protect homes and businesses from the impacts of flooding. MPs said that Ministers had not shown enough urgency in implementing measures which would improve the country’s resilience to flooding. MPs also called on Ministers to provide more information on the solutions being considered to ensure homeowners at high risk of flooding continue to have access to affordable insurance after the agreement with ABI (Association of British Insurers) is due to expire at the end of June 2013.
Posted: February 1st, 2013 under Flood Risk, Sea Defences.
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DEFRA has produced a guide which aims to provide adequate information to obtain a suitable policy for householders living within an identified flood risk area. Negotiations between Government and the ABI (Association of British Insurers) are still continuing and it is hoped that a suitable solution can be found before the present Statement of Principles expires at the end of June 2013. If you have recently experienced difficulties obtaining suitable insurance cover or your premiums have increased to such an extent that you no longer can afford insuring your property please contact your local MP to make them aware of your situation.
Posted: December 18th, 2012 under Flood Risk, Sea Defences.
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DOC is holding its Annual Open Evening on Saturday, 1 December 2012 (7.30 pm - 9.30 pm) at the Camber Castle Public House , Camber (1st Floor Function Room) . All DOC Members, local Stakeholders and Residents across the Marsh are welcome to join us at this event. Staff from the Environment Agency will give a PowerPoint presentation followed by a short Q & A session addressing sea defence issues, flood risk matters, flood mapping etc. Light refreshments . Christmas Raffle & Auction.
Posted: November 25th, 2012 under Events, Sea Defences.
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The Environment Agency has issued its latest update which can be viewed here.
Posted: November 11th, 2012 under Environment Agency Updates, Sea Defences.
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