Agenda item

Note – As agreed at item 7, there was one debate for this item and Council Procedure Rules 13.6 (b), 13.6 (c) 13.6 (d), 13.6 (e) and 13.10 (b) had been suspended for the duration of this item.

A motion by Councillor K E Lee was moved and seconded as follows:

Across Lincolnshire we have recently seen the highest levels of rainfall ever recorded in many areas. I want to pay tribute to all of those who were involved in dealing with the floods, both agencies and community groups who all did their very best to keep our communities safe.

However, given the impact of climate change, the frequency and level of impact of weather-related incidents is increasing and we must ensure that the statutory response meets that increased level of threat.

It is vital that going forward sufficient funding is allocated by government to mitigate the impact of weather-related incidents, that a fully co-ordinated response is provided by all agencies, and that local residents have a single point of contact to turn to in order to obtain prompt support to keep them safe. Local response networks must be given the resources and leadership to ensure that our communities feel confident that occurrences such as we recently witnessed will be better prevented and mitigated.

Accordingly, this council calls on the Leader of the Council to write to the Prime Minister requesting the establishment of a nationally-led, nationally-funded body to ensure an effective, properly co-ordinated and accountable response to weather-related emergencies.

An amendment had been submitted by the Conservative Group, which was moved and seconded as follows:

Accordingly, this council:

1.      pays tribute to all those who were involved in dealing with the floods, both agencies and community groups, who all did their very best to keep our communities safe;

2.       welcomes the proposals in the Greater Lincolnshire Devolution Deal to strengthen local arrangements through a new enhanced water partnership for flood resilience, adaptations, and management of the water system; and

3.      calls on the Leader of the Council to write to the Government requesting:

a.      further funding to local agencies to ensure an effective, properly co-ordinated and accountable response to weather-related emergencies;

b.      further funding to local agencies for maintenance of flood risk and water management assets;

c.       recognition of the recent National Audit Office evidence, which highlights that the cost benefit of maintenance stands at 11:1;

d.      that they address the unfair impact on District Councils within Lincolnshire of the increased drainage levies within the Spring Budget Process 2024; and

e.      that the nationally led, and mostly nationally funded, Environment Agency has the resources it requires to maintain its river system and make improvements where necessary to ensure systems remain climate resilient.

The amendment was supported to become the substantive motion and upon being put to the vote, the amendment to the motion was supported unanimously.

It was therefore RESOLVED:

that the Council:

1.      Pays tribute to all those who were involved in dealing with the floods, both agencies and community groups, who all did their very best to keep our communities safe;

2.      Welcomes the proposals in the Greater Lincolnshire Devolution Deal to strengthen local arrangements through a new enhanced water partnership for flood resilience, adaptations, and management of the water system; and

3.      Calls on the Leader of the Council to write to the Government requesting:

a.      further funding to local agencies to ensure an effective, properly co-ordinated and accountable response to weather-related emergencies;

b.      further funding to local agencies for maintenance of flood risk and water management assets;

c.       recognition of the recent National Audit Office evidence, which highlights that the cost benefit of maintenance stands at 11:1;

d.      that they address the unfair impact on District Councils within Lincolnshire of the increased drainage levies within the Spring Budget Process 2024; and

that the nationally led, and mostly nationally funded, Environment Agency has the resources it requires to maintain its river system and make improvements where necessary to ensure systems remain climate resilient.