PLANS to create a new authority which will play a major role in reducing the likelihood and impact of flooding across the county are expected to move a step closer within the next few days.

Somerset County Council's cabinet will be asked at its meeting on Wednesday (November 12) to seek approval from all councillors to back the setting up of a Somerset Rivers Authority.

The move comes as all organisations involved in a 20-year flood action plan, drawn up earlier this year, continue to press the Government for the £2.7 million interim funding that will be needed to get the new body up and running.

The Government has so far refused to provide the money, even though the establishment of the SRA is a key proposal in the plan, which was put together at the Government's request following last winter's devastating floods.

Controversially, the new authority would also raise funds locally, probably by levying a precept on all households, just as the police and fire services do.

Its aim would be to provide a greater level of protection than currently exists, with work focusing on better maintenance of river channels, important watercourses and river flood banks over the whole of Somerset to reduce the risk of flooding.

This would involve dredging and the maintenance of dredged areas, providing joint working opportunities with other partners and landowners.

The county council's cabinet will be asked to endorse the progress of the initiative so far and support the creation of a shadow SRA from April next year, subject to the Government funding being secured and support for legislation to allow it to become a precepting authority.

However, county council leader Cllr John Osman admitted that the initial response from the Government had been disappointing, leaving uncertainty about the funding for 2015.

But he said he would not let the matter lie and would continue to push Somerset's case.

He has written to Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss, reiterating the need for the funding and legislation in a letter signed by the leaders of all five district authorities in the county.

"Council leaders and other partners across Somerset are united in our belief that a separate, accountable and transparent Somerset Rivers Authority is the only way in which future flooding in the county can be tackled and alleviated," said Cllr Osman.

Although the worst of the flooding happened on the Somerset Levels, some areas of West Somerset were also badly hit.

West Somerset Council leader Cllr Tim Taylor said he welcomed the establishment of the new authority to bring agencies and councils together to co-ordinate and improve flood protection and alleviation.

But he warned that councillors and residents in the district would have to think carefully about any extra levy made on Council Taxpayers and landowners locally.

"In particular we need to ensure that finance raised in West Somerset is used for flood protection and alleviation in West Somerset," he said.