Agenda item

To consider a report by Councillor David Smith, Lead Member for Public Realm (copy enclosed) presenting the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy for approval and providing an update on the November 2012 floods and December 2013 coastal flood event.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       approves the submission of the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy to the Welsh Government for Ministerial review, and

(b)       notes the additional information provided within the report.

Councillor David Smith submitted the report presenting the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy for approval and providing an update on the November 2012 floods and December 2013 coastal flood event.  The report also provided details of locations where schemes were required to reduce flood risk to an acceptable level.

Cabinet was advised of the requirement to produce the strategy document which detailed eight outcomes that would enable the Council to deliver the Welsh Government’s objectives for managing flood risk.  The document had been considered by Communities Scrutiny Committee with no major issues raised.  Councillor Smith highlighted the different flooding areas the Council and its partners were responsible for and the funding implications for Denbighshire.  He added that flood risk management was one of his priorities.

Initial discussion focused on the December 2013 floods and the commendable way in which the Council had responded both during and after the event.  Having spoken to those affected Councillor Bobby Feeley sought assurances that the Council was taking the necessary steps to prevent future flooding.  Councillor David Simmons also sought action and highlighted residents’ concerns, particularly in the Garford Road/Coast Road area, and the need for a robust process for alerting and protecting elderly and vulnerable residents.  The Senior Engineer, Flood Risk Management (SE) reported upon initial works carried out in the area and confirmed a programme of work had been developed to further reduce risk.  Potential for a coastal defence improvement scheme would likely be unaffordable by the Council on its own and would be reliant on significant grant funding from Welsh Government.  He clarified that Welsh Water was responsible for sewer flooding and would soon be carrying out an investigation into a number of recent flooding incidents across the county following heavy rainfall.  The importance of flood wardens was also highlighted and members were advised that Natural Resources Wales was tasked with assigning flood wardens in areas of risk in order to share local knowledge about those affected and their vulnerability.  The Council’s emergency response system had been honed in light of recent experiences and the Director of Social Services reported upon work she was undertaking to improve the resilience of arrangements in place for identifying vulnerable residents during an emergency response.

During consideration of the strategy the SE responded to questions regarding flood risk in particular areas and the methodology for undertaking preliminary assessments in accordance with nationally defined guidelines. Councillor Huw Jones was keen for Corwen to be reassessed in terms of flood risk following the recent flood alleviation works and agreed to speak with the SE about the issue outside of the meeting.  In response to issues raised by Councillor Meirick Davies the SE confirmed reference to Cefn Meiriadog could be added to the areas affected by flood risk (page 8).  Amendments as necessary to the Welsh translation could also be made.  He also reported upon the responsibilities and legislation governing sewers and consideration of the Shoreline Management Plan in formulating the strategy.

Cabinet commended the strategy document and lessons learnt from earlier events but concerns were raised regarding the resources required to ensure the strategy was properly implemented and monitored at a time of significant budget cuts.  It was felt that flood risk management should be given a higher priority with consideration given to its inclusion in the Corporate Plan.  The Chief Executive reassured members the issue would be further debated in September at a freedom and flexibilities session on the Corporate Plan.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       approves the submission of the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy to the Welsh Government for Ministerial review, and

(b)       notes the additional information provided within the report.