Rutland residents can attend a Special Meeting on Thursday 18 January, in which Rutland County Councillors will publicly discuss recent flooding caused by Storm Henk.  

This follows a statement released by Rutland and Melton MP, Alicia Kearns, earlier this week that the MP, alongside Councillor Lucy Stephenson and five other councillors, "have exercised their constitutional rights to call a Special Meeting of Rutland County Council to give the local community a chance to hold the Council to account following recent floods."

Rutland County Council have clarified that it is the councillors who have the constitutional right to call this meeting, which has subsequently been organised by the local authority for next week.

The Meeting will be held in the main Council Chamber from 7pm on 18 January and streamed live online via Zoom. The agenda and a link to the livestream will be available on the Council’s website.

The meeting has been called by Cllr Lucy Stephenson and five other Elected Members. Rutland County Council’s constitution requires notice from five sitting County Councillors to convene a Special Meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to examine what action can be undertaken to address matters relating to flooding in the future.  

Kilburn End / Station Road once again flooded due to last week's unprecidented rainfall. Image credit: Nub News.

Councillor Christine Wise, Cabinet Member for Transport, Environment and Communities at Rutland County Council, said: “Officers from across the Council have been working tirelessly as part of a massive multiagency response to the recent flooding. This has included support for elderly and vulnerable residents in Barleythorpe, who needed help to leave their homes because of the floodwater, as well as responding to well over 20 incidents of flooding or partial flooding on roads across length and breadth of the County.

"We’ve also been working closely with neighbouring authorities who’ve been badly affected by Storm Henk. A Special Council Meeting has been called by Elected Members to discuss the issue of flooding and its impact on local communities. The meeting will be open to the public, who can watch and participate as normal.”

Members of the public can contribute to the Special Council Meeting on Thursday 18 January by asking a question or making a deputation. All questions must be sent by email to: [email protected] by midday on Monday 15 January.

Requests to make a deputation must be sent by email to: [email protected] by midday on Monday 15 January, with the text of the deputation sent by midday on Thursday 18 January. 

Cllr Karen Payne helping out following flooding in Rutland. Image credit: Alicia Kearns MP.

Anyone wishing to know more about public participation in Council meetings also contact the Council’s Democratic Services Team by calling: 01572 720 993.

Officers from Rutland County Council have been working with households affected by the recent flooding. If you are aware of any properties that have been flooded internally (either inside the home or a garage that joins directly onto the property), please report this by emailing: [email protected]