Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/10) seeking approval for the budget allocations to support the Annual Flood Risk Management Action Plan for 2023/24 and also to highlight the achievements made by the Flood and Coastal Risk Management team in delivering the 2022/23 Action Plan, attached.

To support the development of the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy a full Impact Assessment has been completed, is attached and is also available to view on the Council’s website at: https://www.devon.gov.uk/impact/flood-risk-management-strategy/.

RESOLVED

(a) that the budget allocations made to support delivery of the Annual Flood Risk Management Action Plan for 2023/24 as set out in Appendix A be approved; and

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

(Councillors Brazil, Dewhirst, Whitton and Wrigley 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/23/10) which sought approval for the budget allocations to support the Annual Flood Risk Management Action Plan for 2023/24 and highlighted the achievements made by the Flood and Coastal Risk Management team in delivering the 2022/23 Action Plan, 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 that the Flood and Coastal Risk Management team had had a challenging but successful year. The team had doubled over the past 10 years due to new legislation and a significant externally funded project.

The continued aim of reducing the number of properties at risk from flooding meant a robust Annual Flood Risk Management Action Plan for 2023/24 had been developed and budget allocations made to support the ongoing development and delivery of current high priority areas as well as adequate resources to fulfil the duties as a Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA). Full details of the Action Plan were provided in Appendix A showing the relevant projects and schemes with costings and full details of proposals.

The ongoing projects that had either been completed or were well underway through 2022/23 were reducing the risk of flooding to 111 homes and businesses. A total investment of £500k, which included £240k of DCC Capital funding and a further £260k secured through external funding, had enabled the delivery of essential flood improvements. Further details of all ongoing and delivered projects were included in Appendix B including Harbertonford, Axminster, Stokenteignhead, Barnstaple West, Beeson, Broadhempston and Colaton Raleigh. It further listed those places where there were ongoing studies (17 in total), and those where initial assessments were being progressed (a further 17). An update on the Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme was also provided.

The current projects being developed for the next 5-year period would require over £10.0million of investment, including £2.7million from the Council, split £1.0 million Revenue and £1.7million Capital and would look to draw down in the region of £6.5million FDGiA and £1.0million Local Levy.

Over the past 12 months the County had experienced a contrasting weather pattern with a very dry summer causing drought conditions, to a very wet winter that had caused some localised flooding of properties. Whilst all flooding was devastating to those affected the number of properties across the County was low compared to other years. However there had been incidents in Kingsbridge, north of Mid Devon at Oakford Bridge and Exebridge.

The Council was also a statutory consultee to the Local Planning Authorities on surface water management for new major development. Over the past 12 months the team of 2 officers had reviewed over 550 applications and had achieved a 99% return rate within the required timescale of 21 days. The Council also had a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 295