Agenda item

(To receive an 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 gave consideration to a report from the Environment Agency, which provided the Committee with an update on Environment activities, which included progress on capital schemes.

The Chairman welcomed to the meeting Mark Robinson, Senior Advisor, Environment Agency, Michelle Scott, Flood Resilience Officer, Environment Agency and Claire Rose, Team Leader, Environment Agency.

Officers from the Environment Agency guided the Committee through the report presented and responded to questions raised, which included:-

·         Wainfleet Relief Channel – Concern was expressed that work still needed to be completed in order for the fishing to commence.  Environment Agency Officers agreed to look into this matter;

·         Boston Haven Banks – One member felt that in the first sentence of paragraph 1.2 the word 'centre' needed removing.  Officers were happy to remove the word;

·         Black Sluice Pumping Station – One member enquired as to what would happen if the Black Sluice IDB were unable to come up with the funding for the new electric pumps.  Officers confirmed that the Environment Agency had agreed to continue to maintain the pumping station until June 2018.  Some members advised that the importance of agricultural land could not be under estimated.  It was highlighted that the IDB was currently trying to secure funding for the pumping station, from the Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management Local Levy.  The Committee was advised that this was a pot of money held by the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee.  It was felt that some lobbying needed to be made to MPs to look into DEFRA funding rules;

·         Rationalising the Main River Network Project – Officers confirmed that this was dependent on the outcome of the consultation; and that the Environment Agency and Black Sluice IDB were in discussion regarding future maintenance requirements;

Councillor R Austin (Boston Borough Council) wished it to be noted that he was a member of the Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board.

·         The application of Special Levies issued on District Councils;

·         The percentage of disputed claims arising from the Horncastle Improvements.  Officers advised that this was an improving picture.  It was highlighted that compensation had started to be paid to landowners who had agreed to flood easements, and that other landowners would be compensated in a different manner.  The member from East Lindsey advised the Committee that the last update from the Project Board was that all claims were virtually complete except for one who was not engaging; and

·         Lincoln Defences – It was noted that work to develop the business case was ongoing, with support from the new Programme Delivery Unit.  One member highlighted that the project needed around a further £1.36m; and that to influence others with regard to this scheme, further information needed to be included in the report.

RESOLVED

1.    That a representative from the Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board be invited to attend the next meeting to provide the Committee with an update relating to the Black Sluice Pumping Station.

2.    That for future reports, where a shortfall in funding had been identified, more detailed information should be provided in the report to assist in local lobbying.

3.    That local MPs be requested to lobby concerning the Environment Agency criteria relating to assessing the value of land for flood protection.