Present:-

Devon County Council

Councillors Younger-Ross (Chairman), Brook, Clarance, Clatworthy, Dewhirst, Gribble and Hook

Teignbridge District Council

Councillor Haines

Devon Association Local Councils

Councillor Swain

Apologies

Councillors Barisic, Connett and Dempster (Devon County Council)

*21 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2014 be signed as

a correct record.

*22 Flood Prevention/Flood Risk Management and Shoreline Management

The Chairman welcomed Mr Martin Davies, Environment Agency (EA) who reported on flood prevention and shoreline management and outlined the EA s role as a risk management public authority.

Flood and shoreline challenges in the Teignbridge area included the Exe Estuary, with the storms of last year a reflection of the future as sea levels continued to rise. In the short term Teignbridge frontage could be protected and managed through schemes. Mr Davies outlined the details of the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Construction Programme, FCERM Development Programme and schemes accelerated in the 6 year investment programme for the Teignbridge area as tabled. The full list of schemes was available at

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/programme-of-flood-and-coastal-erosion-risk-management-schemes

The Exe Estuary shoreline management policy and summary of works planned to be undertaken by 2030 further information was available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/exe-estuary-flood-and-coastal-erosion-risk-management-strategy

An overview of Dawlish Warren Exmouth Beach Management scheme was available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dawlish-warren-and-exmouth-beach-management/dawlish-warren-and-exmouth-beach-management together with photos and posters from recent public exhibitions on Dawlish Warren Exmouth Beach Management scheme are available via

https://www.flickr.com/photos/environment-agency/sets/72157643205851084/

Alongside the above Network Rail was also undertaking the West of Exeter (Exeter - Newton Abbot) Resilience Study, looking at the options available to maintain the coastal rail route for the next 50 years and beyond. This study included sea defences, stabilising cliffs and maintaining beach levels. Members expressed the view that there should be County Council representation on the public body steering group.

Discussions also included EA proposals for Dawlish Warren, Starcross and Cockwood; river/estuary back up flow; UKCIP inter government panel policy used for planning for climate change including sea level rises.

The Chairman also welcomed Ms Jessica Bott, DCC Flood Risk Management Team who reported on local flood risk management in Teignbridge and building community resilience.

The Flood Resilience Community Pathfinder Project (DCC/Environment Agency partnership) supported Parish Councils and local communities with emergency plans, contacts, early warnings, equipment eg sandbags, road signs. A number of communities at risk of flooding had already been involved including Ashburton, Buckfastleigh, Dawlish Dawlish Warren and Kennford. Other locations had received help such as physical works or studies: surface water drainage improvements had been completed in Shaldon and a flood study and minor highway drainage work carried out in Stokeinteignhead. A study was now progressing in Stokeinteignhead to develop a flood alleviation scheme for the village.

The Environment Agency leaflet Living on the edge was a guide for land owners who live alongside watercourses, outlining their rights and responsibilities https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/riverside-ownership-rights-and-responsibilities

The clearing of leats was the responsibility of individual landowners and blocked leats,drains etc could be reported at

https://new.devon.gov.uk/floodriskmanagement/who-to-contact-if-you-experience-flooding/

RESOLVED that the officers explore the possibility of County Council representation on Network Rail s West of Exeter (Exeter Newton Abbot) steering group.

*23 Future Meetings

(a) All meetings to commence at 2.15pm (unless otherwise specified) at Forde House, Newton Abbot. Please note: these meetings may sometimes be held in the mornings.

Friday 10 July 2015

Wed 4 November 2015

Thursday 3 March 2016

(b) Work Plan/Items identified for future discussion

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 1pm and finished at 2.10pm