THE Government’s floods minister has agreed to visit the Burnham and Highbridge area to meet victims of flooding.

MP Tessa Munt has set up the meeting with Richard Benyon (pictured), following a major flood summit in Taunton last week, organised by councillors from across Somerset.

It was set up to see what lessons could be learned from the dramatic weather conditions of the last year, and the effect they have had on thousands of people across the county.

It included presentations from agencies including the Environment Agency, the Met Office, Somerset County Council and Wessex Water; a question time session; and workshops discussing issues including community resilience, business impact, flood prevention and inter-agency working.

A flood steering group will meet again next month to decide how to take forward any of the ideas agreed.

Kerry Rickards, chief executive of Sedgemoor District Council said: “The summit is a great initiative which I applaud and an essential part of understanding how the various agencies involved may play their part in trying to mitigate the tragedy for all those affected.”

He added: “As far as possible we need to agree plans before it rains instead of relying on emergency sandbags as the water levels rise. I am however a realist, there will be things we can do and things we cannot.”

Ms Munt said: “I have asked Richard Benyon, the Minister responsible for flooding at DEFRA, to visit my part of the Axe and Brue river valleys so he can see for himself, and meet those who have suffered as a result of flooding.

“He has agreed and those arrangements are being made at the moment.”

Ms Munt is asking constituents who have suffered losses as a result of flooding since last April to contact her so they are invited to meet Mr Benyon.

They should e-mail tessampevents@gmail.com