Agenda item

It was moved by Councillor Pugh, seconded by Councillor Dodd:

Flooding In Sefton

This council:

(1)    recognises the serious problems of flooding across Sefton exacerbated by the effects of climate change.

(2)    notes that there is a significant problem in some areas with surface water severely overwhelming old and inadequate drainage systems.

(3)   notes to the reluctance of the Water Utility companies and suppliers to prioritise perennial trouble spots despite residents paying for surface drainage.

(4)    agrees to support and promote residents' applications for significant water rates reductions where there is clear evidence of persistent failure in the surface drainage system and to inform the utility companies accordingly.  

An amendment was moved by Councillor McKinley, seconded by Councillor John Sayers that the Motion be amended as follows:

That paragraph (4) be deleted.

That the following paragraphs be added:

“The Environment Agency have identified surface water flooding as an issue that will worsen with the impact of climate change, however, their ability to influence investment decisions to deal with surface water and fluvial flooding and the updating of ageing infrastructure is hampered by insufficient government funding and the business model of privatised water companies who prioritise shareholder profit at the expense of investment to protect households and businesses”.

“We commend the proactive measures taken by Sefton Council and the Merseyside Strategic Flood Risk Partnership who are at the forefront of initiatives in the North West in raising issues and proposing solutions to address the risks associated with surface water and fluvial flooding, who are also constrained by insufficient funding from central government and the impact of draconian cuts as a result of austerity”.

“This Council calls on the next government to adopt measures to end the scandal of pillaging our national strategic assets through prioritising shareholder profits instead of investing any surplus funds in measures to address the risks associated with climate change, including flooding”.

Following debate, on a show of hands, the Mayor declared that the amendment was carried by 34 votes to 21 votes with 1 Abstention.

Thereafter, on a show of hands, the Mayor declared that the Substantive Motion was carried by 34 votes to 21 votes with 1 Abstention.

FLOODING IN SEFTON

This council:

(1)        recognises the serious problems of flooding across Sefton exacerbated by the effects of climate change.

(2)        notes that there is a significant problem in some areas with surface water severely overwhelming old and inadequate drainage systems.

(3)        notes to the reluctance of the Water Utility companies and suppliers to prioritise perennial trouble spots despite residents paying for surface drainage.

The Environment Agency have identified surface water flooding as an issue that will worsen with the impact of climate change, however, their ability to influence investment decisions to deal with surface water and fluvial flooding and the updating of ageing infrastructure is hampered by insufficient government funding and the business model of privatised water companies who prioritise shareholder profit at the expense of investment to protect households and businesses.

We commend the proactive measures taken by Sefton Council and the Merseyside Strategic Flood Risk Partnership who are at the forefront of initiatives in the North West in raising issues and proposing solutions to address the risks associated with surface water and fluvial flooding, who are also constrained by insufficient funding from central government and the impact of draconian cuts as a result of austerity.

This Council calls on the next government to adopt measures to end the scandal of pillaging our national strategic assets through prioritising shareholder profits instead of investing any surplus funds in measures to address the risks associated with climate change, including flooding.