Issue - meetings

(To receive a verbal update from John Ray (Environment Agency) which provides an update to the Committee on the activities of the Environment Agency, and includes progress on key capital schemes)

The Committee received an update from John Ray from the Environment Agency on Environment Agency activities including progress on key capital schemes.  It was noted that programme of works for Lincolnshire was stable, whereas others around the country had seen some movement.

In guiding members through the report, work on the Boston Barrier was highlighted as the biggest capital scheme underway for the Environment Agency in Lincolnshire.  It was also noted, that another key scheme, the Louth and Horncastle flood alleviation scheme was now completed, and ready if required.

It was also noted that the Environment Agency had now moved into new premises in Lincoln at Ceres House, with an improved incident room and were ready for winter.

Members were provided with the opportunities to ask questions to the officers present in relation to the information contained within the report and some of the points raised during discussion included the following:

·         It was queried whether the new incident room would be linked to the wider emergency services.  Members were advised that this would be for Environment Agency staff responding to local incidents.  If there was a significant event requiring gold command, then the relevant staff would be located in the emergency planning bunker.

·         The bank raising work for the Boston Barrier would be finished before the barrier was completed.

·         The Horncastle scheme had not yet been signed off on the land registry.

RESOLVED

            That the update provided be noted.

(To receive a presentation from David Hickman (Growth and Environment Commissioner) and Mark Welsh (Flood Risk and Development Manager) which gives an introduction to the roles and responsibilities of all agencies involved in flood risk and drainage in the county)

The Committee received a presentation which provided an overview of the roles and responsibilities of all agencies involved in flood risk and drainage in the county.

David Hickman (Growth and Environment Commissioner) provided an overview of role of the Flood and Water Management Scrutiny Committee and Lincolnshire County Council as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) which covered the following areas:-

·       21F of Local Government Act 2000 – Overview and Scrutiny Committee:  Flood Risk management;

·       Joint Scrutiny Committee reflecting the Flood Risk and Water Management Partnership;

·       Flood and Water Management Scrutiny Committee Terms of Reference;

·       Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) Partners;

·       A map of Lincolnshire's potential flood risk areas;

·       Flood management systems;

·       Local flood risk included surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses;

·       LLFA responsibilities;

·       Joint Flood Risk and Drainage Management Strategy;

·       Flood investigations under Section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010;

·       Capital works;

·       Lincolnshire County Council Asset Register;

·       Responsibilities within the Land Drainage Act;

·       Flood emergency response within Lincolnshire;

·       Community Risk Register – 4 of the top 9 'enduring' risks were reported as flood related;

·       Planning process consultees;

·       Lincolnshire County Council provided an integrated service Flood Risk and Highways and a 'single point of contact' approach for Development Management.  It was particularly noted that this was the only lead council doing this out of 22 lead authorities within this area which was impressive;   

·       LCC are not the decision making authority witin the planning process but a Statutory Consultee;

·       Consideration to Surface Water Flooding; and

·       Consideration of SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) on Major Developments (10+ properties);

Partners of the Committee were invited to give a brief introduction to their own areas:-

Environment Agency

Deborah Campbell, Flood and Coastal Risk Manager, explained that the main areas of responsibility for the Environment Agency in Lincolnshire were Coastal Defence; Main Rivers; National overview of flood risk management; and Floodline – flood warning system.  It was the responsibility of the Environment Agency to cascade information on flood issues across the relevant areas of the country.  They also have strong links with the Local Resilience Forum.

Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs)

It was explained that there were fourteen Internal Drainage Boards within Lincolnshire which were responsible for draining low lying areas (40% within Lincolnshire); land drainage (in particular agricultural land but also some urban areas); and water level management.  It was reported that high quality water was currently being drained into the sea but it was suggested that in times of drought this water could be used so there was a need to manage this better.

Water Companies

Jonathan Glerum, Flood Risk Manager, explained the role of Anglian Water within the partnership.  The main responsibilities were to supply water; remove and treat foul water (foul and combined sewers and treatment works); and surface water drainage of developed areas (surface water and combined sewers).  A yearly water management plan was developed which considered how water could be better used within the county. Every five years all water companies must also complete a business plan.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5