Agenda item

(To receive a verbal update from a representative of the Environment Agency)

Consideration was given to a report by the Area Manager – Environment Agency, which provided an update on Environment Agency (EA) activities, including progress on key capital schemes.

The Area Manager – Environment Agency thanked those who had assisted with recent flooding issues within Lincolnshire. It was noted that work was still on-going to resolve some issues.

Partners across the county had worked extremely well together to manager risks throughout the county. Efforts were now focussed on the recovery of flooding incidents. The Environment Agency were currently operating a 24/7 emergency response rota and were in a period of heightened response, which was likely to continue to the end of 2019

The Environment Agency were currently dealing with flooding issues in 19 areas across Lincolnshire in four key locations. A team of inspectors were also ready to inspect the rest of the county.

It was noted that the recent period of heavy rainfall had meant that Lincolnshire's riverbanks were under significant pressure. Officers were working closely with Internal Drainage Board colleagues to identify where issues had occurred.

Going forward, the Environment Agency would be analysing ways to make space for water and alleviate pressure on the farming community. Officers were investigating how to drive maintenance programmes in rural environments. 

Members were invited to ask questions, in which the following points were noted:

·       The Area Manager – Environment Agency agreed to provide Members with current recovery lists, timescales and completed maps of locations where the Environment Agency have carried out work on flooding issues.

·       It was confirmed that at the time of the meeting, there were eight properties within Lincolnshire with fluvial flooding issues, and 86 with surface water flooding.

·       Members were encouraged by the recovery efforts made by the Environment Agency.  The Environment Agency agreed to provide an update on recovery.

·       It was noted that the Environment Agency were hoping to mobilise the breach on the Barlings Eau river on the week commencing 25 November 2019.

·       It was confirmed that flood mapping was updated and reviewed every two to three years. A review was on-going to analyse the current climate and weather trends and amend the chance predictions where necessary.

·       Members raised concerns over flood map predictions in the area of Wilsford, as residents were struggling to obtain home insurance despite the area not having suffered from flooding in recent times.  Officers advised that flood maps were based on predictions of extreme weather of 1 in 1000 rainfall. However, the Senior Flood Risk Manager - Environment Agency recognised that some maps may not be completely accurate for some locations and work was on-going to update them. The flood maps for the area of Wilsford would be reviewed as part of on-going work.

·       It was noted that members of the public had not been informed of the reasons for the decommissioning of the pumps at the Black Sluice Pumping Stations and were unaware of the alternative arrangements that had been put in place that would be more beneficial. Members were advised that plans were in place to provide this communication in due course.

·       Members were concerned by reports from farmers that had been advised that they were not permitted to fill their reservoirs. The Area Director – Environment Agency agreed to liaise with the relevant Member to resolve these issues.

·       It was clarified that dredging was one of a number of flood risk solutions. In the places where it was proven to be successful, the Environment Agency carried out dredging. Members were advised that dredging was not a flood risk solution alone, and was actually unsuitable in some places. Flood professionals would put in place the most effective flood risk solutions with the money available. Currently, the Environment Agency were focussed on the integrity of Lincolnshire's raised banks.

·       Officers had investigated the possibility of operating the grand sluice navigation lock in reverse, however the benefits of doing so were not found to be substantial enough to warrant doing so.

RESOLVED:

          That the report and comments made be noted.