Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from District Councillor J Money (North Kesteven District Council), Sam Markillie (South Holland Drainage Board) and David Sisson (Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board)

Councillor M Brookes requested that a note should be made in the minutes that he was a member of the Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board (minute 18).

District Councillor R Austin requested that a note should be made in the minutes that he was a member of the Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board (minute 18).

Councillor C J T H Brewis requested that a note should be made in the minutes that he was a member of the North Level District Internal Drainage Board (minute 18).

District Councillor B Russell requested that a note should be made in the minutes that he was a member of the Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board (minute 18).

District Councillor I G Fleetwood requested that a note should be made in the minutes that he was a member of the Witham Third Internal Drainage Board (minute 18).

District Councillor M D Seymour (South Holland District Council) requested that a note should be made in the minutes that he was a member of

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Flood and Drainage Management Scrutiny Committee held on 29 May, 2015, be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Councillor C J T H Brewis stated that he was satisfied with the reply he had received from officers in connection with the direction of travel and routes proposed in the south east of the county (minute 5).

Deborah Campbell stated that she would reply to the emails from Councillor C Pain in connection with the River Steeping (minute 8).

Executive Councillor C J Davie made the following announcements:-

1. He had attended the opening ceremony of the start of the Louth flood alleviation scheme and emphasised the importance of the scheme for the town of Louth.

2. Stated that David Powell, the Emergency Planning Officer, had met District Councils in connection with the emergency evacuation signage and they had given their agreement for the scheme to proceed.

3. Referred to a meeting on 25 September 2015, with major investors, business leaders and local MPs to discuss the opportunities and challenges for the east coast.

Steve Willis stated that construction of a new Visitor Centre at Gibraltar Point had begun and was expected to finish by Easter 2016.

(A report by Louise Tyers, Scrutiny Officer, which informs the Committee that Anglian Water will be making a presentation at the meeting on growth and the impact on infrastructure)

Alan Simpson, Anglian Water, gave a presentation on growth and its impact on infrastructure; the legislation and regulation covering the water industry; engagement in planning and how Anglian Water got involved and the opportunities and challenges faced by Anglian Water.

Comments by the Committee included:-

1. Invitations to schools to visit Anglian Water plants were welcomed.

2. Was septicity still a problem in the sewerage system?

3. Was there now less necessity to dig up roads to access pipework?

4. There was a lot of new development taking place in Boston and in some areas the sewerage system could not cope because of its age.

5. Anglian Water had, in some instances, blamed users of the sewerage system but was it the inability of the system to cope?

6. Some repairs carried out by Anglian Water appeared only to be temporary. Was it possible to carry out more permanent repairs to prevent leaks?

7. During heavy rain in Boston and in the Wyberton and St Thomas,south of Boston, surface water flooding was a problem and seemed to be caused by blocked pumps. If people were putting inappropriate material into the system then Anglian Water should clear the pumps as soon as possible.

8. There were similar issues of surface water flooding in Horncastle which was facing an unprecedented number of planning applications for housing from developers and Anglian Water did not have the structural capacity to cope with numerous sites.

9. Anglian Water should be a statutory consultee for planning applications involving growth and it was important that District Planning Authorities worked closely with Anglian Water. Should Anglian Water require any help in this area, e.g. the lobbying of MPs, then it should not hesitate to seek the help of the County Council.

Alan Simpson responded to comments made by the Committee as follows:-

1. Technology existed to address septicity in the sewerage system.

2. It was possible to line pipes without digging up roads but it was not feasible in some areas.

3. Anglian Water was examining if old infrastructure existed. The company was trying to improve connection points in the system but it was a challenge in some areas. Members were requested to notify Anglian Water if they were aware of any poor infrastructure to enable the necessary investment to take place.

4. There were operational issues caused by fats being put into the sewerage system and Anglian Water had an education programme in place to address this problem.

5. Surface water connections into the sewerage system were being examined.

6. Anglian Water was aware of the issue of temporary repairs with the company liable to fines for regular leaks by Ofwat.

7. Anglian Water faced fines for flooding caused by blocked pumps and was examining innovative solutions to address this problem.

8. Accumulative development in Horncastle would be examined followed by further examination in the later stages of development to ensure that there was capacity in the system.

9. Anglian Water was currently consulted in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

(To receive a report by Deborah Campbell, Environment Agency,

which outlines progress on implementing flood alleviation

schemes for Louth and Horncastle)

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

With regard to Louth, officers referred to the media event on 11 August 2015, to mark the start of construction work. Discussions with landowners in connection with compensation were continuing and the project was expected to be completed in May 2016.

With regard to Horncastle, timber posts had been discovered during preliminary archaeological explorations dating from the Stone Age with the discovery creating local interest. Innovative work was on-going with the contractor and the County Council's Archaeologist to work around this find. The cost and timetable for the project was likely to be affected by this discovery but no delay was expected in delivering the project. Discussions with local landowners were progressing well.

Comments made by the Committee included:-

1. District Councillor Mrs Fiona Martin MBE, Ward Councillor for Horncastle, stated that she had attended the opening ceremony at Louth and thanked everyone for the starts on sites.

2. Who should the public consult if anything went wrong either during the construction stage or on completion of the projects?

3. The cost of household insurance should reduce when the projects were completed.

Officers stated the contractor was responsible during the construction stages of the projects and when the projects were completed then the Environment Agency would be responsible.

Officers stated the cost of household insurance was dependent on the outcome of a national survey being carried out by the Environment Agency.

RESOLVED

That the report and comments made by the Committee report be noted.

(A report by Andy Jee, Project Manager, County Council and Deborah Campbell, Environment Agency, which informs the Committee of the Environment Agency's (EA) ongoing Black Sluice Catchment Consultation and how this may impact upon the future of the Black Sluice Pumping Station)

The Committee received a report in connection with the Environment Agency's ongoing Black Sluice Catchment consultation, how this might impact on the Black Sluice Pumping Station and the implications for the establishment of Boston as a waterways destination. The consultation ran until 27 September 205 and a number of public consultation events had been arranged by the Environment Agency. Officers stated that the effects of flooding and water level management in the area covered by the Black Sluice and Boston had been examined and emphasised the importance of ensuring that the County Council achieved its aspirations for water management in the Boston area in the future.

Councillor W S Webb, a member of the Anglian Regional Flood Committee, was allowed to speak on this matter in a personal capacity and with knowledge of drainage. He commented as follows:-

1. The Black Sluice Pumping Station was of huge importance to the South Forty Foot Water drainage catchment area which contained Grade 1 and 2 agricultural land.

2. The land in this area drained into the Black Sluice Pumping Station and it was important to control the water level.

3. Three of the five pumps had been damaged during the tidal surge in December 2013 and had not been repaired to his surprise.

4. He considered that the pumps were repairable and that the estimated cost of repair of £5-£10m was too high.

5. An engineer should be asked to examine the pumps to assess the cost of repair.

6. He was surprised the Environment Agency had not deepened or widened the South Forty Foot Drain.

7. Failure to comply would lead to flooding similar to that in the Somerset Levels a few years ago.

8. The County Council's response to the consultation detailed in the report did not address flooding issues.

9. The South Forty Foot Drain was a drainage river.

10. He supported Black Sluice Drainage Board's response to the consultation.

Comments made by the Committee included:-

1. The South Forty Foot catchment area contained very fertile agricultural land.

2. How was the value of agricultural land measured compared to its use for development?

3. Councillor W S Webb's views were supported.

4. The views of the Chief Executive of the Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board should be sought.

5. The Environment Agency was working in partnership with the Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board on this matter.

6. The cost of repairing the pumps would be cheaper than their replacement.

7. Executive Councillor C J Davie should consult the Chief Executive of the Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board before he sent his response to the Environment Agency.

8. If the pumps did not work then the Boston Barrier would not work.

9. The cost of repairing the pumps should be investigated.

10. It was noted that the Leader of the County Council had made a statement that he thought the money could be found to repair the pumps.

11. The public would be concerned if the pumps were not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

(A report by David Hickman, Environmental Team Leader (Strategy and Partnership), in which outlines recent initiatives led by the GLLLEP to develop a clear set of objectives for Lincolnshire's coastal areas and to establish a Water Management Plan as a channel for accessing a wider range of Government and European funding for flood risk and water resource management in Lincolnshire. The Committee's comments are sought on the first draft of the Coastal Vision)

The Committee received a report outlining recent initiatives led by the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership to develop a clear set of objectives for Lincolnshire's coastal areas and to establish a Water Management Plan as a channel for accessing a wider range of Government and European funding for flood risk and water resource management in Lincolnshire. A first draft of the Coastal Vision was presented for the Committee to consider and on which comments were invited. Officers stated that it was hoped to complete the Coastal Vision by March 2016.

Comments made by the Committee included:-

1. The figures detailed under the heading of "Strategic context" were important not just for the coast but for the county.

2. Flood risk affected economic development.

3. The construction of an off-shore reef and coastal footpath were essential for economic development and not just beach replenishment.

4. Frampton Marsh should be added to Appendix A of the report as it was a nationally recognised RSPB site.

5. Improved infrastructure was required but how would this be achieved?

6. Had other local authorities been consulted on the Coastal Vision?

Officers stated that the development of infrastructure was dependent on the approval of Local Plans and that neighbouring local authorities had been consulted about the development of the Coastal Vision.

RESOLVED

(a) That the comments made by the Committee be taken into consideration in the development of the draft Coastal Vision.

(b) That the timetable for completing the Coastal Vision by March 2016, be noted.

(A standing report by Mark Welsh, Flood Risk and Development

Manager, on the position of all current Section 19 investigations

in the County)

The Committee received a standard report on the position of all current Section 19 investigations in the County.

Comments made by the Committee included:-

1. The opportunity should be taken to utilise the machinery present in connection with the refurbishment of the new Gibraltar Point Centre to replace the flood banks?

2. Delays in addressing flooding issues at Toynton St Peter.

Officers stated that they would examine the issues raised by the Committee and that the recent flooding events in Long Bennington and Grantham would be investigated as part of the Section 19 investigations.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted and the comments raised by the Committee be examined by officers.

(A report by Louise Tyers, Scrutiny Officer, in connection with the latest position of the Committee's Work Programme)

The Committee received its Work Programme.

RESOLVED

That the Work Programme be noted and updated accordingly.

The Chairman stated that this was Louise Tyers' last meeting before taking up a new position with East Northamptonshire Council and thanked her for services to the Committee wishing all of the best in her new post. He presented Louise with flowers to mark the occasion.