The weather wasn’t too bad on Monday this week. There was a rather fine sunset promising a bit of rain on Tuesday but all in all we really couldn’t complain.

This was so different to December 5 last year when the heavens really did open. During the 24 hours of that day we saw over 13 inches of water fall in some parts of Cumbria. All of this rain came after a wet November and was followed by a wet January as well. As well as Storm Desmond we also had to cope with Storms Abigail, Frank and Gertrude.

Parts of our area saw more rain fall during December 5 than they had ever seen fall in a single day ever and rivers reached higher levels than had ever been seen before.

Since that time we have all been living with the consequences. Even if we were fortunate not to experience flooding in our own homes we know people who were less lucky and shops and cafes that we have been used to visiting are only now re-opening for business.

Nearly 20 per cent of the homes in Kendal were affected by the flooding in some way or other and, of course, in some parts of town like Sandylands and Mintsfeet it was almost every house that suffered. Flooding does not simply take away your home, the place where above all you should feel safe - the financial consequences of it can change your life in dramatic ways. Many of the people involved simply could not afford the insurance they needed and so really struggle to get back on their feet and repair the damage done by the flood waters.

During December and the months afterwards I saw some of the best examples of what for me makes Cumbria really special. I lost count of the amazing stories of people helping out their neighbours or even complete strangers with anything from clothes and food to places to live while their homes were being put back together.

But we are still a long way from sorting things out. Hundreds of people are still out of their homes, bridges and roads are still closed. If you still have issues then please do get in touch and I will do what I can to help.

The Environment Agency has been working really hard to sort things out and they promised me they would release their plans for spending £25m to improve flood defences in Kendal early in the new year.

However, plans are one thing but what everyone needs is action, and action as soon as possible. It is not surprising at all that every time it rains around here everyone affected last December gets a bit nervous.

Last week I put a motion to the House of Commons this week calling on the government to ensure that as soon as humanly possible after the plans are announced the agency is given the money to start work and make everyone safer in their homes. It really is over to them to get on with it now.