Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/16), presenting the Flood Risk Management Action Plan for 2024/2025, attached.

An Impact Assessment was previously prepared and is now attached for the information of Members at the meeting and available on the website at Flood Risk Management Strategy - Impact Assessment (devon.gov.uk).

RESOLVED

(a) that the budget allocations made to support delivery of the Annual Flood Risk Management Action Plan for 2024/25 as set out in Appendix A, be approved; and

(b) that delegated authority be given to the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Public Health, Communities and Equality for approval of any significant changes to schemes within the approved Revenue and Capital allocations.

(Councillors Brazil, Dewhirst, Leaver and Whitton attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/16), which presented the Flood Risk Management Action Plan for 2024/2025, circulated prior to the meeting in accordance with regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

The purpose of the Report was to seek approval for the budget allocations being made to support delivery of the Flood Risk Management Annual Action Plan for 2024/25 and to highlight the achievements of the team in delivering the 2023/24 Action Plan. The report also detailed the significant flooding that was experienced across Devon during 2023 and the effort from the team in supporting those affected communities, further emphasising the need for continued support and investment in flood risk management activities.

The significant flooding experienced in 2023 was the worst experienced since 2012 with over 400 properties suffering internal flooding following a number of very intense rainfall events during the year. The Council had carried out a thorough investigation of flood events, detailing the source and scale of the event and suggest actions that could be considered by the various Risk Management Authority (RMAs). It was accepted that major investment could take many years, and where possible, the Council looked for ‘quick win’ solutions within existing budgets and resources.

In 2023, Section 19 Reports had been prepared and the table in the Report detailed the number of properties reported to have internally flooded and the locations which exceeded the threshold. Three of the reports had already been published on the DCC Flood Risk Management website: Flood investigations, reports and studies - Flood Risk Management (devon.gov.uk).

Events had been held with the community following the May and September events and despite an already overloaded programme, initial investigation studies and minor works/improvements had already been commissioned for these locations.

The commissioned studies on the 2023/24 Action Plan including those at, Exeter Northbrook, Sidmouth Town Centre, Exmouth, Teignmouth, Seaton, Totnes and Ilfracombe, had been progressing well, however works at Beeson and Exeter Longbrook Street and South Pool Property Flood Resilience (PFR) had suffered delays but replacement contractors had now been appointed.

Where viable those studies listed would continue to be developed along with the progression of more detailed investigations for the recent flood affected locations. These had been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 492