Agenda and minutes

The Committee stood in silence as a mark of respect for the Malaysian Airlines aircraft victims in the Ukraine on 17 July 2014.

Apologies for absence were received from County Councillors A Bridges and C Pain, District Councillors D Jackson (City of Lincoln) and B Russell (South Kesteven), Deborah Campbell (Environment Agency), Mike Dugher (Environment Agency), Sam Markillie (South Holland Internal Drainage Board) and David Sisson (Lindsey Marsh Internal Drainage Board).

The Chief Executive reported that having received notice under Regulation 13 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, he had appointed Councillor Mrs M J Overton MBE as a replacement member on the Committee in place of Councillor Mrs A M Austin, for this meeting only.

(Councillors are reminded that there is no need to declare an interest if it has already been recorded on the register of disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) or notified to the Monitoring Officer in accordance with the regulations. However, Councillors

declaring interests must state what the DPI is and accordingly not speak or vote on the item)

District Councillor J Money requested that a note should be made in the minutes that he and his wife owned the freehold of the land on Main Street, Scopwick detailed in the report (minute 59). His pecuniary interest had been registered with North Kesteven District Council and he would not speak or vote on this matter.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Flood and Drainage Management Scrutiny Committee held on 1 May 2014, be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman took the opportunity to thank Boston Borough Council for hosting the meeting and the site visit for the Committee on 1 May 2014.

Councillor Colin Davie, Executive Councillor, Economic Development, Planning, Tourism, made two announcements:-.

1. Owen Paterson MP had been replaced by Elizabeth Truss MP as Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the recent changes to the Cabinet announced by the Prime Minister. Councillor Davie paid tribute to the work done by Mr Paterson especially in supporting the dissemination of the flood partnership strategy in Lincolnshire, nationwide.

2. He read out a statement in connection with proposed solutions to overcome flooding and silting issues on the River Steeping at Burgh le Marsh. Consultations with the local community had taken and would continue to take place in connection with the proposals.

It was agreed that the statement and the press release in connection with the River Steeping would be emailed to the Committee.

The statement was welcomed by the Committee.

(A report by Mike Dugher, Environment Agency, in connection with the progress of this scheme)

The Committee received a progress report on implementing flood alleviation schemes for Louth and Horncastle.

With regard to Louth a consortium VBA from the Environment Agency's Water and Environment Management Framework had been appointed to design, plan and construct the flood defence scheme. The anticipated completion of the scheme was 2015.

With regard to Horncastle, tenders were being invited from framework suppliers to design, plan and build the flood defence scheme. A start on site was expected in March 2015. Work was on-going to provide Property Level Flood Protection to properties at risk of flooding from the River Waring but despite concerted efforts there were still many residents who had yet to accept the offer.

Councillor Fiona Martin MBE, the local District Member for Horncastle, welcomed progress of the Horncastle project and partnership working.

RESOLVED

That progress on the implementation of the flood defence schemes in Louth and Horncastle be noted.

(A standing report by Mark Welsh, Flood, Water and Major Developments Manager, in connection with the position of all current Section 19 investigations in the Council)

The Committee received a standing report on the position of all current Section 19 investigations in the county. Officers stated that since the last meeting of the Committee the "Estimated Timescale" had been added to the spreadsheet.

In connection with the two issues raised by the Committee, officers stated that the Environment Agency was investigating the flooding issues at Swaton where thirteen properties were at risk and two properties had been flooded. Officers had attended a recent meeting of Swaton Parish Council where the problems including funding had been explained.

In connection with flooding problems at Mark Avenue, Horncastle, discussions between Anglian Water and the Internal Drainage Board were ongoing about the cost and continued maintenance of the culvert for the new residential development. Anglian Water had agreed to continue to maintain the culvert and carry out monthly monitoring checks while the discussions were ongoing.

Officers' responses to the comments by the Committee, included:-

1. The County Council's duty to investigate flooding issues under Section 19 and to identify the appropriate agency to carry out the necessary work to address the problem was explained.

2. The criteria for funding of flood prevention schemes and the Common Works Programme was explained.

3. The timescale for the completion of works to address flooding in Horncastle which was outlined in a separate report at today's meeting (see minute 58), was explained.

4. The different procedures for dealing with foul and surface water from new developments was explained.

Following comments made by the Committee, officers stated that Anglian Water had a dedicated team examining all planning applications but they were was not a statutory consultee for planning applications. Executive Councillor Colin Davie thought that Anglian Water was consulted in connection with planning applications involving ten or more properties but agreed to pass on the Committee's views with Central Government that water utilities should be a statutory consultee on planning applications.

The Committee in supporting the comments made by Executive Councillor Colin Davie emphasised the importance of infrastructure and sustainability before any development took place. The Committee was informed that the Environmental Scrutiny Committee which immediately followed this Committee had an item on its agenda in connection with an "Infrastructure Statement".

RESOLVED

(1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Committee be kept informed of progress on flood defence measures at Swaton and Mark Avenue, Horncastle.

(3) That Executive Councillor Colin Davie be requested to pass on the comments of the Committee in connection with water utilities being statutory consultees for all planning applications to the appropriate government department.

(A report by Mark Welsh, Flood, Water and Major Developments Manager, which introduces a presentation on the proposed flood risk improvement scheme in the Keeble Drive area of Washingborough)

The Committee received a presentation on the proposed flood risk improvement scheme in the Keeble Drive area of Washingborough. Officers outlined the history and geography of residential development in this area, stated that there had been significant flooding in the area in 2007 and funding to correct the problem had now been received from the flood management partnership and Central Government

Councillor R Oxby, the local Division Member for the area, stated that he had been aware of the problems in this area since 2007 and agreed to meet officers outside of the meeting to discuss the matter further.

Officers stated that the cost of the scheme was £790k with £230k coming from the flood management partnership and the remainder coming from Central Government.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

(A report by David Hickman, Environmental Services Team Leader, which outlines progress to date in exploring and developing a better joined-up approach to assessing the risk of flooding from all sources, the reasons for undertaking this work, next steps and the practical benefits for local communities and for the Flood Risk and Drainage Management Partnership)

The Committee received a report on progress to date in exploring and developing a better joined-up approach to assessing the risk of flooding from all sources, the reasons for undertaking this work, next steps and the practical benefits for local communities and the Flood Risk and Drainage Management Partnership. Officers stated that while the science had improved in connection with prioritising coastal flooding surface flooding prioritisation still presented difficulties, although improvements were being made on all aspects of flooding risk.

It was proposed to adopt this approach in two pilot areas in the county which were not subject to flooding.There would be consultation with local communities on the proposals and a report providing more information would be brought back to a future meeting of the Committee.

Following a comment from the Committee officers stated that there was cross border consultation between the flood management partnership in Lincolnshire and neighbouring local authorities.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted and that the Committee receive further progress reports on this matter including a practical demonstration.

(A standing report by Louise Tyers, Scrutiny Officer, which examines the Committee's Work Programme for future meetings)

The Committee received a report in connection with its Work Programme.

RESOLVED

That the Committee's Work Programme be noted and updated accordingly subject to the deferment of "Partnership funding and the constraints Anglian Water work under as a regulated industry" from the meeting on 5 September to 4 December 2014.