IDEAS and comments about Bradford Council’s flood strategy are being sought from members of the public, particularly those affected by flooding, at a series of drop-in events.

The council is required by the Government to produce a Local Flood Risk Management Strategy to help guide and prioritise actions to manage the local flood risk.

The strategy will also be used to identify where funding for future flood risk reduction schemes is required.

The six objectives of the strategy under consultation are:

* To improve the understanding of flood risk across the district;

* Reduce impact of flooding subject to resources, communicate flood risk to partners and stakeholders;

* Carry out targeted maintenance;

* Ensure appropriate development:

* And improve flood response and post flood recovery.

The council’s strategy is primarily concerned with the local risk of flooding from sources other than main rivers or public sewers.

The Aire and the Wharfe rivers come under the responsibility of the Environment Agency, and Yorkshire Water are responsible for sewers, but as flooding commonly occurs from a combination of sources the strategy has been produced to ensure a joint approach from all organisations.

Mike Cowlam the council's strategic director for regeneration and culture said: "We have developed this plan which outlines the local flood risk, sets out the objectives for managing that risk and proposes measures to implement those objectives.

"These drop-in events give people the opportunity to provide feedback on the strategy. We would urge anyone who has been affected by flooding to come along to one of the drop-in sessions and contribute."

Huge swathes of the district, particularly in the Aire and Wharfe valleys, were badly flooded when torrential rain fell last Boxing Day causing rivers to burst their banks after rising to record levels.

The damage caused to homes and businesses alone has totalled ten of millions of pounds with some residents still unable to return to live in their properties and some businesses still to reopen.

Bradford Council also needed £2.5 million of Government cash to help the costs of repairing more than 20 flood-damaged roads, bridges and footpaths.

The public drop-in sessions are on Monday, May 9, from 2pm to 5.30pm at Victoria Hall, Keighley; Tuesday, May 10, from 2pm to 5.30pm at Bingley Arts Centre; Monday, May 16, from 1pm to 4pm at Bradford City Hall reception; Tuesday, May 17, from 2.30pm to 6.30pm at Kirkgate Centre, Shipley, and Tuesday, May 24, from 2.30pm to 6.30pm at Ilkley Library.

There is also an on-line consultation which is open until the May 16, 2016 and can be accessed online at http://www.bradford.gov.uk/bmdc/Consultations