COLCHESTER’S MP has hit back at claims a dedicated group which was set-up to fix the Hythe’s flooding issues has been disbanded.
Will Quince said his interest “remains high” but added: “I refuse to call a meeting when there is nothing to update on”.
It follows a Gazette report which revealed there has been no meeting of the Hythe Taskforce since November.
The group was launched by Mr Quince in May 2021 with the aim of finally tackling the area’s crumbling infrastructure and championing its regeneration.
But when asked for an update on proceedings, Colchester Council leader David King said: “There is stuff happening but the Taskforce is not”.
It prompted Mr Quince to defend his position as chairman of the Taskforce.
Read more on this: Not a floody clue! Experts concede their Hythe flooding theory may be wrong
He said: “It has not been disbanded but I refuse to call a meeting when there is nothing to update on.
“It was frustrating trying to arrange meetings and get engagement from councillors and to some extent the key stakeholders, but my interest in this remains high.
“Sadly I do not have the budget or power to fix this, only Colchester Council, Essex County Council, the Environment Agency and Anglian Water do.”
The MP added he has recently asked Colchester Council chief executive Pam Donnelly for an update.
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Hythe councillor Mike Lilley said he attended the last Taskforce meeting in November and has been angered by a lack of action since.
“It has been a year and nothing has been done. We are still talking about what could be done,” he said.
Mr Lilley claimed he has continued to put pressure on bosses at the town hall to fund a pump as a short term solution following a change of administration last May.
“The work being spoken about will help solve some of the issues but I believe it wont resolve the issue completely unless all the drains are replaced in that area.
“Until millions are spent whatever is done is never going to be enough.
“The council needs to fork out the money for the pump first and work out the long term measures in the meantime.”
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