I REFER to the article entitled 'flood measure looks damned' in the edition of the Evesham Journal dated May 31, and feel that it is necessary to clarify the district councils policy on seeking contributions from parish councils towards flood alleviation schemes.

Far from inviting parish councils to 'underwrite a cost which is an unknown factor' parish councils are requested to make contributions to flood alleviation projects in their areas of a sum equivalent to £5 per annum at Band D for a period of three years subject to a maximum contribution over three years of 25% of the project cost (which excludes any Wychavon District Councils costs).

In the case of the Broadway scheme the estimated cost of the current scheme, one of 17 options and variations investigated, was £139,000 and thus the maximum contribution sought was capped at £22,179 over three years. This information was clearly set out in a letter to the parish council. If the estimated cost of the scheme increased the cap would not be raised under the formula.

To date some £23,000 has been spent investigating options for a scheme which will not proceed given the decision of the parish council to not contribute to an activity which the district council undertake under permissive powers rather than as a statutory duty.

D S LAWLEY, Chairman Environment Committee, Wychavon District Council, Civic Centre, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Pershore.