• Call for talented individuals to help communities become more resilient to climate change
• Committee works to decide local priorities for flood risk management
• Work supports Environment Agency and local authorities in creating local partnerships to tackle flood risk

As the Environment Agency embarks on the next 6-year period of investment to reduce the risk to over 300,000 homes and businesses across England, it is an exciting time to be joining the committee.

The committee would love to welcome talented and enthusiastic individuals from all backgrounds to join this important committee, to represent the diversity of communities and interests from across the area.

The committee is fundamental in deciding local priorities for flood risk management, approving programmes of work.

It helps to manage flood risk throughout the Trent water catchments across the East and West Midlands and contains major urban centres such as Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Nottingham and Leicester, as well as the dramatic landscapes of the Peak District and low-lying ground to north Nottinghamshire and the Isle of Axholme.

It also supports the Environment Agency and local authorities in creating local partnerships to fund and deliver projects, while ensuring resilience and adaptation to the impacts of climate change are embedded throughout.

These roles make a real difference to people’s lives, livelihoods and to the environment we live in. Being an RFCC member is an exciting opportunity to guide local flood risk investment. While not a paid role, reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be covered.

The Trent RFCC is one of 12 statutory committees across the country that make key decisions on local priorities for flood and coastal risk management. A key role is making sure the aims of the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy are embodied within the committee’s decisions and to ensure consistency between strategic and local plans.

Vijith Randeniya, chair of the Trent RFCC, said:

As we look at the world ahead, we do so through a prism where many of our assumed views have been challenged or shattered.

If we think back to 10 years ago, very few of the challenges we have faced in the past two years would have been foreseen or would have seemed likely. It is on that premise that we can predict, with some certainty, that the future holds challenges which are as of yet undefined and will need confronting together.

Joining the RFCC as an independent member will give you an exceptional opportunity to influence and support the local investment to combat those challenges.

Applications are welcome from individuals with an active interest in flood risk management and from a diverse range of backgrounds, with additional interest or experience in climate change and resilience, academia, catchment-based approaches, community engagement, land use and blue-green-grey infrastructure.

Anyone interested in helping communities become more resilient to climate change and joining the Trent Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, see:

Trent Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (RFCC)

The closing date is 24 June 2022 and interviews are 11 July 2022.

Due to members’ terms coming to an end, we are recruiting for 2 members to join the Committee in 2022.

Applications are welcome from individuals with an active interest in flood risk management and from a diverse range of backgrounds, with additional interest or experience in one or more of the following:

• Community engagement
• Academia
• Catchment-based approaches – ensuring a holistic approach to risk management, for our current and future communities
• Land use/blue-green-grey infrastructure
• Climate change and resilience

Volunteers’ time commitment

The committee meets 4 times a year, usually at locations within the Trent catchment. Due to restrictions, meetings have recently been held online and this may continue for some meetings, balanced with those in-person (as circumstances allow). Any work you do around the main meetings can be flexible to your own commitments. You will be given at least 6 months’ notice of quarterly meetings dates and times.

Role and how to apply

Typically, members are expected to read papers, join sub-groups if interested, and engage with Environment Agency colleagues and other committee members.

You do not need formal qualifications for this post, but your enthusiasm and commitment to your local community will be important. These are unpaid roles but reasonable expenses, including travel, can be claimed.

For further information please contact the Environment Agency at louise.townrow@environment-agency.gov.uk or 02077 140468.

Further information can be found on: Trent Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (RFCC) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

The closing date for applications is Friday 24 June 2022.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt Hon Brandon Lewis MP, has today met with the leaders of Northern Ireland’s five main political parties; Michelle O’Neill, Sinn Féin; Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, DUP; Naomi Long, Alliance; Doug Beattie, UUP; and Colum Eastwood, SDLP.

In all his meetings, the Secretary of State reiterated the need to respect the electoral outcome of Thursday’s election and restore the full functioning of the devolved institutions as soon as possible – both the Executive and the Assembly.

All parties agreed on the importance of maintaining political stability. The Secretary of State encouraged all party leaders to come together to form an Executive as soon as possible, starting with the nomination of an Assembly Speaker.

The Secretary of State acknowledged that the Northern Ireland Protocol remains a clear barrier to political stability and re-confirmed that the Government will do whatever it takes to protect the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement, in all of its dimensions. He reiterated the Government’s desire to address the outstanding issues by agreement with the EU, but confirmed that the Government stood ready to take further steps to rectify those issues, should that be necessary.

He noted that negotiations with the European Commission related to the Protocol were the responsibility of the UK Government and that they should not stand in the way of restoring the Stormont institutions and enabling the Executive to deliver for all the people of Northern Ireland.

He reiterated the importance of taking advantage of the new provisions in the NI (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern) Act passed earlier this year to enable continuity in decision-making during the Executive formation process. This will ensure existing Northern Ireland ministers can remain in place to oversee NI departments, allow legislation to progress and support the delivery of vital public services.

Speaking after his meetings, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis MP, said:

“Northern Ireland’s party leaders must come together to agree a way forward to deliver a stable and accountable devolved government.

“The UK Government’s overriding priority remains the preservation of peace and stability in Northern Ireland and the protection of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement in all its strands. The current situation with the Protocol is fundamentally undermining the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and creating an unacceptable situation in Northern Ireland. We will continue to press the EU to agree the crucial changes that are urgently needed but will take nothing off the table in our pursuit of those solutions.

“As I conveyed to party leaders today, our collective focus must be on the restoration of the Stormont institutions so that those newly elected representatives can come together and deliver in the best interests of all the people of Northern Ireland.

“I will remain in close contact with the party leaders over the coming days.”

The UK Prime Minister has hosted a Spring Showcase at Downing Street today (Monday 09 May) to fly the flag for British food and consumer goods and showcase small independent businesses who are exporting their goods internationally.

Ten businesses held market stalls across Downing Street to exhibit their finest products including Blaenafon Cheddar Company, a Welsh family business, IGS Vertical Farming, based in Scotland and Dogtooth Technologies, a technology start-up building state-of-the-art intelligent robots for soft fruit picking.

The Prime Minister was joined by Cabinet Ministers including the International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Environment Secretary George Eustice and Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng who also met with stallholders.

There are now more opportunities than ever for businesses thanks to the trade deals that have been agreed across 70 nations, including countries in the EU – accounting for £808 billion of UK bilateral trade in 2021. We had the fastest economic growth in the G7 last year and international trade is essential in achieving our mission to level up and drive growth across the whole country.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

Putting the best of British business on the global market is a vital part of growing our economy – with exports bringing £640.3 billion last year alone.

Every corner of the UK is filled with exceptionally talented businesses and I’m delighted that today we have been able to showcase some of the best of what this country has to offer.

Those invited to the event also include the Founder and CEO of Genius Foods, Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne, also chair of Scotland Food and Drink, Michael Bell, CEO of the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA) and Chair of the Food and Drink Federation Karen Betts who works closely with the Department for International Trade as the voice of the UK food industry.

International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

It’s fantastic to see so many examples of great UK businesses thriving thanks to the trade and export opportunities we’ve made available to them.

As we continue our journey as an independent free-trading nation our Export Strategy offers a wealth of support for existing as well as new-to-market traders.

We’re rightly proud of our small business exporters, and I want to see more of our brilliant products made here in the UK sold to the world.

CEO of St Evals Ian Greaves said:

As a British manufacturer based in rural Cornwall, we are delighted to be given the opportunity to showcase St. Eval alongside some of the best of British business at this event.

People and planet are at the very heart of all that we do and we greatly appreciate the opportunity to share our passion for sustainability far and wide. From using renewable energy to power our factory, through to plastic-free packaging and protecting and nurturing the natural world around us; high-quality craftmanship and minimising our environmental impact are of the utmost importance.

In recognition of our commitment to sustainability, in 2021 we were honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development. As the first-ever Queen’s Award for a candle manufacturer, we strive to set the standard for actions to preserve the natural world around us and pioneer leadership in sustainable British manufacturing.

Last year the Government launched an Export Strategy which will help businesses across the UK double exports and sell their world-class products around the globe. The 12-point export strategy will give businesses the tools they need to become a nation of exporters and reap the benefits of our free trade deals.

It’s estimated that more than 1.5million people will attend college or university this autumn, and the Student Loans Company (SLC) is urging students to apply for student finance in plenty of time.

SLC’s role is to enable opportunity for students to invest in their futures through access to further and higher education, and new full time, undergraduate students in Wales have just under three weeks to apply for funding before the deadline on Friday, 27 May.

Students should apply online now even if they don’t have a confirmed place at university. By submitting their application before the deadline, they can ensure their finance will be in place for the start of the academic year.

Returning students in England also need to reapply for student finance every year, and the deadline for applications is Friday, 17 June.

Chris Larmer, SLC Executive Director, Operations said: “Our mission is to enable opportunity and we are committed to supporting students to achieve their ambitions.

“Our application window opened earlier this year, which gives students plenty of time to apply before the deadline to ensure they have the best possible start to their further or higher education journey. We know that this can seem daunting, particularly for new students, but there is a range of content on our website and social media channels to help guide students, and their parents or partners, through the process. Applying early means that busy students can tick at least one thing off their list as they prepare for university life.”

Chris added: “Applications can take around six to eight weeks to process and for the vast majority, the whole experience will be online. Students can monitor their application’s progress via their online accounts and if we need any further information, we will get in touch directly.”

Students can continue to apply for finance throughout the summer, but SLC is not able to guarantee that funding will be in place for the start of term.

Tips for applying for student finance

• Apply online now even if you don’t have a confirmed place at university – It only takes 20 minutes to apply and the quickest and easiest way to do so is online at https://www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/discover-student-finance
• You should apply now even if you don’t know what course you are doing, or which university you are going to. Select the course you are most likely to do, and you can update the application easily later, if required.
• Have your important documents to hand when applying – Have your National Insurance Number, passport and bank details to hand before you start your application, as you will be asked for this information as you apply. If you don’t have a bank account in your own name, we would encourage you to set one up to ensure you receive your funding.
• Provide your supporting evidence online – To make an application you will need to create an online account and you may be asked to provide evidence to support your application. Don’t forget to submit any evidence you are asked for. All evidence, apart from some forms of ID or residency evidence, can be submitted digitally via your online account.
• Tell us if your household income has changed – If you have applied for a Maintenance Loan based on household income, then your sponsor – usually your parents or partner- will be asked to provide details of their household income for the previous tax year. For 22/23 academic year applications, that’s the 20-21 tax year. If your sponsor expects their income to drop by 15% or more, it is possible to request a Current Year Income (CYI) assessment.
• A CYI can only be requested once you have submitted your application and your sponsor has also submitted their household income for the 20-21 tax year to support your application too. To do this, visit https://www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/parents-and-partners/how-does-household-income-affect-an-application.aspx to download a digital version of the form once you have filled it in you can then upload it directly from your online account.
• Make sure you understand how much funding you may be entitled to Students in Wales can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to pay for tuition fees and a Maintenance Loan and Grant to help with living costs. Visit the SFW website to find out what’s available. Watch the Discover Student Finance film to find out more.
• Find out if you could be eligible for extra support – Extra funding may be available if you have a disability or a child or adult dependant who relies on you financially. https://www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/undergraduate-finance/full-time/welsh-student/
• Follow Student Finance Wales (SFW) on social media Students can stay up to date with all the latest student finance information by following SFW on Facebook and Twitter.