Agenda item

To consider a report by the Senior Engineer, Flood Risk Management (copy enclosed) on the findings of the flood investigation, and an update on the progress with the investigation into the Glasdir flood event.

 

A copy of a report by the Senior Engineer: Flood Risk Management, which provided details on the findings of the flood investigation, and an update on the progress with the investigation into the Glasdir flood event, had been circulated with the papers for the meeting.

 

The report was introduced by Councillor D.I. Smith and the Corporate Director: Economic and Community Ambition (CDECA).  It was confirmed that an investigation into the flooding events across Denbighshire in November, 2012 had been completed with the exception of Glasdir, where the complexity of the issues surrounding the flood event had meant that the investigation was ongoing.

 

Significant flooding had occurred at 12 locations across Denbighshire on the 26^th and 27^th November, 2012 with approximately 500 properties having been affected. Under the terms of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 the Council had undertaken an investigation into the causes of flooding and Natural Resources Wales had supported the investigation.  The sources of flooding had been main rivers, for which Natural Resources Wales was the risk management Authority, and ordinary watercourses, for which Denbighshire was the risk management Authority.

 

The investigation had been scheduled to report to Council in May but had been delayed due the complexity and scale of the investigation of the two larger flooding incidents at St Asaph and Glasdir.  The investigation of the St Asaph event had been completed and summarised in Appendix 2.  The full report of the Glasdir event would be delayed until September and the investigation Terms of Reference had been attached as Appendix 1.

 

The purpose of the investigation had been to clarify the reasons for the flooding, the likelihood of it recurring and what, if anything, could be done to manage flood risk appropriately in the future.  The criteria for agreeing a location for investigation of the ten sites included:-

 

·           One or more properties with internal flooding

·           Disruption to critical infrastructure, e.g. roads or utilities

·           A repeated ‘near miss’ of either of the above.

 

It had been decided not to include the general flooding of agricultural land as part of the investigation unless the flood event was unusual or unexpected.  However, the impact of flooding on agricultural land would be discussed at national level.

 

The investigation of flooding for the majority of locations had been undertaken jointly by Denbighshire and Natural Resources Wales.  Due to the complexity of the events at Glasdir, Independent investigators had been commissioned to carry out the investigation into the flooding at this location.   The Independent Investigators had also been requested to review the Council and Natural Resources Wales’ findings for all other flood locations and these included:-

·            St Asaph, including Lower Denbigh Road

·            Rhuddlan, including Sarn Lane

·            Brookhouse, Denbigh

·            Llanynys

·            Gellifor

·            Glasdir, Ruthin

·            Park Place/Mwrog Street/Maes Ffynnon, Ruthin

·            Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd

·            Loggerheads

·            Corwen

·            Glyndyfrdwy

 

A report covering the findings of the investigation had been included as Appendix 2.

The flood investigation work had been co-ordinated by a Flood Investigation Working Group comprising officers from the Council, Natural Resources Wales and the Trunk Road Authority.  To date, three Stakeholder briefings had been issued and these had been included for information in Appendix 3.  Meetings had also been held with representatives of residents at the two larger flood locations at Glasdir and St Asaph.

Denbighshire had given consideration to interim measures to reduce flood risk pending the conclusion of the investigation. As the result, the following work had been carried out:-

•                       Fitting of anti-flood non return valves on surface water drains at Brookhouse, Denbigh.

•                       At Glasdir, the removal of the safety grilles on the 5 box culvert, the fitting of a temporary telemetry enabled water gauge in the culvert channel and the construction of a hardstanding above the culvert to enable access for the removal of debris during a flood.

 

The cost of implementing the recommendations with regard to ordinary watercourse flooding could be up to £1m, which could not be accommodated within the Council’s existing budget.  Natural Resources Wales had estimated that a scheme to reduce the risk of flooding in St Asaph to an acceptable level would cost in excess of £5 million.  Members supported the view that Denbighshire seek assurance from Welsh Government that sufficient priority be given to the early funding of Natural Resources Wales’ proposals with regard to St Asaph, and any other recommendations coming from the investigation with respect to flooding from main rivers.  Councillor D.I. Smith explained Welsh Government had powers to award a grant under the Land Drainage Act and confirmed that the recommendations made would be pursued promptly.  He informed Members that he had made representations to the Minister seeking Welsh Government funding. 

 

The investigation had identified some small scale works which could be undertaken subject to the availability of funding.  In areas where flood defenses were not warranted individual property protection could be considered.  The CDECA outlined the general recommendations to address the wider issues of flood risk management which included working with individual property owners, landowners and, subject to approval, the establishment of a River Management Partnership, which was welcomed by Councillor T.M. Parry.

 

It was confirmed that three Stakeholder Briefings had been issued to share information with all interested parties, regular liaison meetings had taken place with representatives of the residents at Glasdir, two meetings had been convened with representatives of the residents at St Asaph and the interim findings of the investigation had been discussed by the Partnerships Scrutiny Committee.

 

In response to concerns expressed by Councillor W.L. Cowie, the CDECA explained that the investigation had identified that the bridge at Spring Gardens, St Asaph had not caused the flooding.  However, it had been recognised that the bridge presented a restriction on the river and did have an impact.  Details of the long and short term options being considered to resolve the issues identified were outlined by the Natural Resources Wales Representative (NRWR) and in the short term these included removal of trees and vegetation, temporary increases to the height of the flood embankment and the provision of a maintenance programme.  Longer term solutions were currently being assessed but were likely to include more extensive hard engineering works.  The CDECA confirmed that an open invitation had been extended to local residents to provide and submit any evidence which might assist with the flood investigation.

 

Councillor D. Owens emphasised the importance of obtaining a prompt response to the recommendations arising from the investigation, particular reference being made to the impact of the bridge at Spring Gardens.  He also highlighted the need to provide assistance to local residents with regard to work undertaken at their respective properties.      

 

The Senior Engineer: Flood Risk Management informed Councillor A. Roberts that the safety aspect of Rhuddlan bridge had not been an issue during the floods.  Inspection work had been planned to assess the traffic load bearing capacity of the bridge, and this would include a scour inspection of the bridge foundations.  He also explained that, with regard to the effect of the proposed housing development at Lon y Sarn on the drainage of water, the appropriate planning conditions would be imposed.   Councillor J.A. Davies provided details of a report received from the Bridges and Structures Section in relation to Rhuddlan bridge, and highlighted the views included by CADW. 

 

In response to a question from Councillor M.Ll.Davies, the NRWR provided details of the individual property protection project, sponsored by the Welsh Government, which could include properties on the lower Denbigh Road, St Asaph. 

 

In reply to a request from the Chair and concerns raised by Councillor R.J. Davies, the NRWR agreed that a drop in centre could be provided to receive the views of residents from the Brookhouse area of Denbigh.  He also responded to concerns raised by Councillor S.A. Davies and confirmed that bunds would not be moved as part of the study into the management of the Dee River course.

 

The CDECA replied to a question from Councillor B.A. Smith and provided details of the budget implications.   She explained that the main financial implications arising from the flooding investigation would impact mainly on Natural Resources Wales.  The Senior Engineer: Flood Risk Management explained that the Welsh Government operated a scheme to support Local Authorities with the costs of dealing with emergencies.  However, if the threshold for eligibility was not reached, the costs must be borne by the Council.  With predictions for increased frequency of flooding in future, the cost to the Council was likely to increase.  The CDECA agreed with the suggestion that the Community Flood Plans could be linked to the Town Plans.

 

In reply to a question from Councillor H. Hilditch-Roberts regarding the implementation of preventative measures and the development of a flood prevention strategy, the CDECA explained that the Senior Engineer: Flood Risk Management was currently in the process of updating and developing the Council’s Flood Risk Management Strategy which would be presented to Scrutiny for consideration prior to formal approval.                

 

During the ensuing discussion, Members agreed that the Scrutiny Chairs and Vice Chairs Group monitor progress of the flood investigation proceedings on a regular basis.

 

A number of Councillors conveyed their appreciation, and the gratitude of local residents, for Denbighshire’s response to the flooding event.  Members thanked the staff of all the organisations and volunteers who provided help and assistance during and following the flooding events in the various areas of the County.

 

RESOLVED – that Council agrees:-

 

(a)          the implementation of the recommendations set out in Appendix 2.

(b)          that a joint approach be made by Denbighshire and Natural Resources Wales to  the Welsh Government for funding to implement the recommendations.

(c)          that Denbighshire supports the establishment of a River Management Partnership, which would bring together all relevant partners to develop flood risk management plans.

(d)          to receive Part 2 of the Investigation Report, relating to Glasdir, at the Full Council meeting on 10^th September, 2013, and

  that the Scrutiny Chairs and Vice Chairs Group monitor progress on a regular basis.