Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/18/25) seeking approval of the Exeter, Northbrook Upper Flood Improvement Scheme, attached.

(Councillors Biederman, Connett and Hannaford attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/18/25) seeking approval of the Exeter, Northbrook Upper Flood Improvement Scheme, 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 Report highlighted the history of flooding in the upper Northbrook area of Exeter and the ongoing high risk of future flood events.  It also detailed the proposed scheme options that aimed to significantly reduce the ongoing risk of flooding.

The DCC Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (2011), established that Exeter had the largest number of properties at risk of surface water flooding, within the County, therefore detailed investigations and hydraulic modelling had been undertaken for Exeter. The results (and other evidence) showed that works in Exeter could be fully justified.

The complex nature of surface water flooding mechanisms and numerous locations of works required meant a phased delivery of flood improvement works over forthcoming years would be required. The Report therefore covered phase one of the proposed works (Upper Northbrook catchment, mainly in Beacon Lane and the Georges Close area of Whipton and Old Tiverton Road), as shown in Annex 1.

A number of improvements at various locations upstream of the residential areas were being proposed to reduce runoff, attenuate flows and restrict the residual flows through the built-up area.  This included work at Beacon Lane (Annex 2 of the report outlined the detail), Georges Close, Whipton (Annex 3) and Old Tiverton Road (See Annex 4).

A business case promoting the scheme to the Environment Agency would be submitted to request funding support from Defra’s Flood Defence Grant in Aid and Local Levy with the remaining funding provided by contributions sought from South West Water, and Exeter City Council, as well as by DCC’s own dedicated flood risk budgets. 

All the flood improvements mentioned in the Report would be developed in accordance with the Equality and Environmental Assessments produced in support of the Devon Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.  All elements of the scheme had been assessed at the appropriate stage using the corporate, integrated assessment tool, with relevant equality and environmental impacts identified and acted on as necessary.

An environmental appraisal of the proposals indicated that, with appropriate mitigation, there would be limited impact upon landscape, historic and ecological interests. 

The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, sustainability, carbon impact, risk management, equality and legal considerations and Public Health impact) set out in the Head of Service’s Report and/or referred to above having been considered:

It was MOVED by Councillor Croad, SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and

RESOLVED

(a) That the Exeter, Northbrook Upper Flood Improvement Scheme at an estimated cost of £450,000, be approved, but noting the scheme will not proceed until all funding is secured; and

(b) that authority to acquire title and/or rights  ...  view the full minutes text for item 206