New posts to aid flood prevention

West Berkshire Council is creating two new full-time posts to assist with drainage and flood prevention

IT may be shedding jobs to combat a hole in its budget, but West Berkshire Council is to create two new full-time posts to assist with drainage and flood prevention.

Following the serious flooding which damaged areas right across West Berkshire in 2007, legislation and guidance was developed for councils in the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 to address the problems and manage future events.

A senior technician at a cost of £30,000, for one year, and a project engineer, costing £40,000 per annum for two years, are to be hired to help the council fulfil its duties.

The posts will be funded by a grant from the Department of Food and Rural Affairs.