Agenda item

To consider a report by the Senior Engineer, Flood Risk Management (copy enclosed) on the sources and extent of flood risk within Denbighshire and seeking members’ support for the development of the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.

11.30 a.m.

[This item was brought forward on the agenda with the consent of the Chair]

The Senior Engineer, Flood Risk Management (SE) submitted a report (previously circulated) and delivered a power point presentation on the sources and extent of flood risk within Denbighshire, the Council’s duties and responsibilities as a Lead Local Flood Authority and sought members’ support for the development of the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.

The committee was advised that flood risk management was supported by the Welsh Government through grant aid.  The reduction and changes to future funding provision was highlighted together with the need for innovative solutions and prioritising investment.  The SE advised that the findings of the flood investigations would inform the development of the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.  He responded to members’ questions as follows –

• explained the criteria used to identify areas at risk of surface water flooding which showed there were no flood risk areas in Denbighshire
• elaborated upon the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy highlighting initial objectives and proposed measures to deliver those objectives, together with the opportunity to reduce flood risks faced by communities, and
• advised of the low number of sites within the Local Development Plan in flood risk areas and provided assurance that identified risks would be managed through the planning process.

Members discussed with officers and representatives from NRW the guidance contained within Planning Policy Wales Technical Advice Note 15 (TAN15) which related to development and flood risk and its application in practice.  Councillor Ann Davies expressed concern that no flood risk had been identified during the planning process for earlier developments in Marsh Road, Rhuddlan which had been an area affected by flooding in November 2012.  Councillor Alice Jones raised concerns regarding the robustness of the guidance contained in TAN15 and the findings of the Council’s Strategic Flood Consequence Assessment carried out in 2007 in light of subsequent flooding events.  The SE explained the cautionary approach in respect of developments in areas at risk of flooding summarising the planning processes and tests to ensure that proposed developments were appropriate and that consequences of flooding were acceptable.  The findings of the flood investigations would provide further information in respect of specific areas such as Rhuddlan and Glasdir which may impact on future development proposals.  Mr. Keith Ivens added that NRW’s flood risk maps were updated every quarter and models were also reviewed following flooding events.

Councillor Alice Jones disputed the initial flood investigation findings into the incidents in November 2012 which had found that the tide had no effect on the flooding in Rhuddlan and St. Asaph advising that she had documentary evidence to the contrary.  Mr. Keith Ivens understood that the tidal effect had not been seen as far as St. Asaph but advised that once modelling work had been verified more scenarios could be carried out using actual tidal data from the period in question to determine any impact.  The issue would be further discussed with Councillor Jones outside of the meeting.

The Chair highlighted that the frequency and extent of flooding incidents would likely increase as a consequence of climate change and welcomed the development of a Strategy to manage flood risk within the county.  In supporting the document the committee felt that the Strategy should be more widely circulated with a final draft submitted for scrutiny before submission to full Council.

RESOLVED that –

(a)       the development of the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy be supported;

(b)       the draft Local Flood Risk Management Strategy be circulated for comments to all councillors, Town and Community Councils, and Member Area Groups (with local areas of interest highlighted for each individual Member Group area), and

(c)       following the public consultation process the final draft of the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy be submitted to the appropriate scrutiny committee as determined by the Scrutiny Chairs and Vice Chairs’ Group prior to submission to full Council.

[WH to action above recommendations / RE to confirm which scrutiny committee will consider strategy]

At this juncture (12.10 p.m.) the meeting adjourned for a refreshment break.