Issue - meetings

Report of the Assistant Director of People (Operational In-House Services)

The Committee considered the report of the Assistant Director of People (Operational In-House Services) advising that the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 previously required that arrangements be made to review and scrutinise the exercise by the Council as a Lead Local Flood Risk Authority of its flood risk management functions and coastal erosion risk management functions; that following the cessation of this requirement, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had requested that an annual Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management review be submitted to it.

The report indicated that the Annual Review covered the 12-month period from September 2021-2022 and detailed the following key areas:

·       Information on flooding & erosion incidents experienced over the last year.

·       Work progress relative to our legislative responsibilities as a Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), Riparian Owner and Coastal Authority.

·       Work progress relative to our own actions set out in our Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS) 2022-2030.

·       Overview of annual finances

The report concluded by seeking the Committee’s comments for submission to the Cabinet Member - Health and Wellbeing.

Members of the Committee asked questions/commented on the following issues:

·       The total flood incidents (all types) reported between Oct-2021 and Sep-22 being 20 and it was noted that this was a reduction of 58 incidents on the previous year 

·       How inland surface water flood events were measured

·       Interim and enabling works to deliver the Crosby Flood and Coastal Defence Scheme and plans in place to continue to seek funding for the scheme

·       Early interventions to clear small watercourses, such as Dobb’s Gutter, to prevent later, longer-term flooding problems

RESOLVED:

That the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management annual report be noted.