Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors T R Ashton, C J Lawton, C R Oxby, R A Renshaw and Mrs A M Austin.

It was noted that the Head of Paid Service, having received notice under Regulation 13 of the Local Government (Committee and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, had appointed Councillors Mrs J E Killey and C J T H Brewis to replace Councillors R A Renshaw and Mrs A M Austin respectively, for this meeting only.

Apologies for absence were also received from Councillor C J Davie (Executive Councillor Economy and Place) and Councillor E Poll (Executive Councillor for Commercial and Environmental Management).

No declarations of members' interest were received at this stage of the meeting.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Flood and Drainage Management Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 11 February 2019, be agreed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Chairman invited Executive Councillors and Lead Officers to make any announcements.

The Executive Support Councillor for Commercial and Environmental Management advised that he had attended the National Coastal Practitioners Forum along with Councillors C J Davie, E J Poll.  The Committee noted that the Forum had given consideration to long term planning for sea defences and climate change.

(To receive an update from Warren Peppard (Flood Risk & Development Manager), concerning the Sustainable Drainage and Design Evaluation Guide)

Warren Peppard, Flood Risk and Development Manager advised that the Sustainable Drainage Design and Evaluation Guide was now available on the Lincolnshire County Councils website and that District Councils would be sent a Snap Survey by the end of May 2019 to enable them to provide comments on the guide over a four week period.

The Chairman on behalf of the Committee extended thanks to officers for their hard work in creating the guide. 

(To receive a verbal update from Peter Riley (Environment Agency), on the activities of the Environment Agency including progress of key capital schemes)

Peter Riley from the Environment Agency provided a brief verbal update, which made reference to:-

·         Saltfleet to Gibraltar Point Strategy review – The Committee was advised that the review was now out for public consultation;

·         Boston Barrier – It was reported that the scheme was on programme;

·         Beach Management – It was noted that the Beach Management Scheme had commenced and would be on-going for the next six weeks; 

·         Haven Banks – It was noted that the scheme was on programme; and

·         Lincoln Defences – The Committee noted that planning and development work had started; and that the scheme was due to be completed by September 2021.

RESOLVED

          That the verbal update from the Environment Agency be received.

(To receive a report from Matthew Harrison, (Senior Commissioning Officer – Flood Risk), which asks the Committee to review and comment on the consultation draft Joint Lincolnshire Flood Risk and Water Management Strategy)

The Committee gave consideration to a report from Matthew Harrison (Senior Commissioning Officer – Flood Risk), which asked the Committee to review and comment on the consultation draft Joint Lincolnshire Flood Risk and Water Management Strategy.

Warren Peppard (Flood Risk & Development Manager) presented the report and advised the Committee that consultation on the strategy had started on 23 May 2019 and would be continuing until 19 July 2019.  The Committee was advised that a number of 'drop in' events had been arranged during June and into early July 2019; and that details of the events would be circulated to members of the Committee following the meeting.   

It was highlighted that following the consultation, a report would be presented to a future meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED

That the report on the draft Joint Lincolnshire Flood Risk and Water Management Strategy 2019/50 be received.

(To receive a presentation from Peter Bateson, (Witham Fourth District IDB), which provides the Committee with an update on the completion of the Wrangle Bank Flood Defence Project)

Peter Bateson from the Witham Fourth District Internal Drainage Board (W4IDB) provided the Committee with an update on the completion of the Wrangle Bank Flood Defence Project.  A video was presented to the Committee, which provided a bird's eye view of the project.

The Committee was advised that as a result of the tidal surge in 2013, two breaches had occurred along The Wash shoreline.  It was highlighted that a landowner led lobby Group, The Wash Frontagers had approached the Environment Agency to take action.  A partnership project was then formed which was led by the (W4IDB).  It was highlighted that Lincolnshire had a very strong Flood Risk and Water Management Partnership, which was led by Lincolnshire County Council as the Lead Local Flood Authority, other partners included the Environment Agency, District Councils, Internal Drainage Boards and other environmental bodies.  It was highlighted further that The Partnership was seen as a national exemplar.

It was highlighted that the project had been included on the six year capital programme for the Anglian Northern Region Regional Flood and Coastal Committee and that the Flood and Coastal Risk Management, (FCRM) grant in aid (GiA) allocation had supported the construction of a bank to the height of 6.5 metres. It was highlighted further that when the Local Enterprise Partnership had learned of the project it had been keen to support it further.  This had resulted in a successful European Regional Development Fund application to Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government for additional funding under the growth agenda to build a resilient profiled bank to the height of 7 metres, to ensure better protection.

The Committee noted that the procurement exercise had been completed by the County Council; and that 10 compliant tenders had been received.  A preferred contractor was appointed and works had commenced on site during the Spring of 2018.

The Committee was advised further that the project had been completed in December 2018; and had improved protection for 438 properties, 3,400 hectares of prime farmland; and had also provided at least 10 hectares of habitat creation behind the bank.  It was noted that the spoil for the bank had been donated in-kind by the rural community (fourteen separate landowners) giving up 20 hectares of farmland.  It was noted further that the banks would form part of the National Coastal Path in 2020.

It was highlighted that the delivery and funding for this project had saved around £2m compared to initial estimates, based on similar schemes. 

Members of the Committee welcomed the presentation and extended their congratulations to the work done by The Partnership, particular reference was made to involvement of the W4IDB in leading and managing the project at no cost to them, which had resulted in a reduction in capital costs to the project.  It was highlighted that approaching local landowners for spoil had also helped reduce costs.

Reference was also made to burrowing animals.  The Committee was advised that burrowing animals were not allowed to habit first  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

(To receive a report from Paul Brookes (Flood Risk Manager), which provides the Committee with an update on the latest position of all current investigations in the County under Section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010) 

(Members are asked to view the current Section 19 spreadsheets online (also contained in Appendix A) and inform Democratic Services in advance of the meeting if they wish to highlight any particular sites at the meeting)

Consideration was given to a report from Paul Brookes, County Flood Risk Manager, which invited the Committee to consider and comment on the investigations undertaken in the county under Section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.

The Flood Risk Manager advised the Committee that there had been no new Section 19 investigations started within the last quarter.

Attached at Appendix A to the report was a record of current flood investigations in the county carried out in accordance with Section 19.  Members noted that the format of Appendix A had been revised slightly, which had resulted in the document being easier to read.

Officers responded to questions raised and agreed to look into the issue of a surface water study at Horncastle; and also progress on the Westborough Scheme (this matter had been raised at the previous meeting).

RESOLVED

That the progress made on investigations undertaken within the county under Section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 be noted.

(To receive a report from Daniel Steel (Scrutiny Officer), which invites the Committee to consider its work programme for the coming year)

The Committee gave consideration to a report from Daniel Steel, Scrutiny Officer, which enabled the members to consider and comment on the content of its work programme, to ensure that scrutiny activity was focussed on areas of greatest benefit.

Pages 108 and 109 provided the Committee with a copy of the work programme for the Flood and Water Management Scrutiny Committee up to 25 November 2019.

RESOLVED

That the Flood and Water Management Scrutiny Committee Work programme presented be agreed.