Agenda item

Report of the Head of Planning Transportation and Environment (PTE/20/2) on the Flood Risk Management Action Plan containing an update on the current year’s programme and approval of schemes and proposed investment in 2020/21, attached.

(Councillors Biederman, Dewhirst, Hannaford, Hodgson, Greenslade and Whitton 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/20/2) on the 2020/21 Flood Risk Action Plan, the Report being 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 achievements of Council’s Flood & Coastal Risk Management Team in delivering the essential flood improvements approved in the 2019/20 Action Plan and sought approval for the new 2020/21 Action Plan. The Report further detailed how the Council worked in partnership with the other Risk Management Authorities to reduce the risk of flooding to residential and commercial properties across Devon and the level of external funding secured to support delivery of the much-needed improvements.

In reporting the achievements, the Cabinet noted the continued progress on several major flood improvement schemes, the delivery of which could take in excess of 5 years from inception through to construction with complexities such as budget justification, landowner agreements, local expectations, funding limitations and partnership opportunities.

However, the flood improvement scheme for Modbury was completed and was now operational, the first phase of the Northbrook Surface Water Improvements had been completed with the second phase planned for delivery in Spring 2020. 76 properties would benefit from works currently being constructed at Claymans Pathway in Ivybridge and a small scheme at Ugborough would benefit at least 6 properties. There was also a scheme focussing on Natural Flood Management (NFM) measures in Ottery St Mary.

An update was given on schemes that had been delayed due to considerable challenges at Stokeinteignhead and Sidmouth. South Pool and Cullompton were also, unexpectedly, behind schedule due to procurement delays.

The current Devon Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (originally published in May 2014) was due to be updated at the end of the year. It would be aligned with the Environment Agency’s National Strategy and its principal focus would be on making communities more resilient to flooding.

Providing advice and comment on surface water management proposals for new major development continued to be a work priority for the team and other statutory functions included Land Drainage Consents and formal enforcement notices at 3 locations, where landowners had failed to maintain a free flow of water in their section of a watercourse.

In relation to 2020/21 the priority was to deliver those projects being support by DEFRA’S Flood Defence Grant in Aid (FDGiA) in the current funding window. Schemes at Ivybridge, Exeter and Stokeinteignhead were set to be completed in the first half of the new financial year and the first phase of Sidmouth Flood Improvements at the Knowle aimed to commence late Spring 2020. A new scheme at Chillington was to be progressed and flood issues at Colaton Raleigh needed to be investigated further. The PFR scheme would continue to deliver flood resilience measures to individual properties unlikely to benefit from any wider catchment improvements in the near future (two community PFR schemes at South Pool and Cullompton, currently awaiting procurement, would be implemented in the new financial year).

There would be ongoing support for Natural Flood Management initiatives, including the Blackdown Hills AONB’s Connecting the Culm project and the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area’s Culm Grassland project.

In view of the continued risk of flooding across the County, the preferred option was to consider the scale of affordable flood improvements that could be justified based on known / anticipated priorities and available budgets. It was estimated that £1.032 millions of Defra Flood Defence Grant in Aid would be drawn down to assist the delivery of the 2020/21 Action Plan, supported with £300,000 of Local Levy, over £818,000 of DCC Revenue and £499,000 Capital budget and at least £100,000 in partnership contributions from other Risk Management Authorities. The Flood Risk Action Plan (Appendix 1) showed a financial over-allocation of almost 30% (or £232,000) in the revenue budget which would be monitored throughout the year.

An Equality Impact Assessment had been carried out for the current Local Flood Risk Management Strategy to ensure equality and socio-economic concerns were considered which would be revised and updated for the new Strategy. Consideration would also be given to scheme-specific equality considerations for all relevant flood improvements shown on the Action Plan.

The Report outlined the risk management considerations in light of the high risk of flooding and new climate change predictions and targeting those communities considered to be at most risk. The risk of flooding remained high and investment in flood risk management continued to be a priority.

The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, sustainability (including 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 that the implementation of the County Council’s 2020/21 Flood Risk Management Action Plan and associated financial allocations and secured funding to deliver the actions, equating to almost £3million, be approved.