self help: Council looks to form self help group

HAWICK Community Council is looking into forming a self-help group that would outline what local residents should do in the event of flooding. The issue was raised at last month's meeting in response to Newcastleton Community Council funding a similar initiative which produced a leaflet that contains advice in the event of a local flood.. Scottish Borders Council's Emergency Planning Officer, Jim Gill, attended the meeting to give his advice on the way forward. He said: "The main purpose of the flood response group is to look after vulnerable people in the community." The meeting heard that the 'Flood Response Group' could advise townsfolk of how to cope with the emergency, whilst also considering elderly neighbours. Mr Gill loaned an emergency planning video to the Community Council which would assist in forming the basis of their plan. He concluded: "The flood group would certainly help achieve community spirit." 27 July 2006