The Government must stump up cash if Gloucestershire is to make itself flood proof, says the council's chief executive.

Peter Bungard is worried that 12 months after last summer's floods the Government has not put “a penny on the table” for the vital task.

In the aftermath of the floods the county council appointed a floods alleviation manager to make sure the county protects as many homes and businesses as possible against a repeat of last summer's damage and disruption.

Gloucestershire Highways stepped up its road drainage responsibilities and residents were consulted on three possible council tax options, which included an increase to help pay for more drain clearance to protect against flash flooding.

Residents agreed that more money was needed and Gloucestershire secured an extra £2.3 million with a 1.1 per cent rise to create a flood fighting fund.

But despite all the council's efforts Mr Bungard feels the Government has shown no intention of addressing the bigger picture.

Mr Bungard told the Daily Press: “My worry is how to make Gloucestershire flood proof when the Government has not put a penny on the table for it. The council put 1.1 per cent on council tax to fight flooding but that only scratches the surface.

“This country needs to decide whether we are going to let these things happen or whether we are going to make our drainage systems more capable.”

Mr Bungard said he was proud of the way the county council handled the crisis, including Highways teams, the care and Fire and Rescue services.

He said: “I think the recovery over the past 12 months has gone pretty well and there has been reasonable access to Government support, but looking forward at making the county more flood proof there is nothing on the table and I find that pretty worrying.”

Meanwhile Cheltenham and Tewkesbury borough councils and Gloucester City Council says it has learned lessons and is better prepared than ever before. The city council has announced itself as the first port of call for a future emergency.

Council leader Paul James said: “People tend to look to the city council for leadership and we are happy to do that. I think members of the public should be able to come to us rather than try to understand where all the responsibilities lie.”

Mr James added that the emergency plan had been updated and refined since the floods.

District councils affected by the floods put in place grants, council tax relief and a programme of drainage work in conjunction with the Environment Agency.