Agenda item

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Environment and Economy which informed the Members of the process being followed and progress made in relation to the preparation of a Surface Water Management Plan for Widnes.

The report advised that at its meeting on 16^th June, the Board had considered a report on Flood Risk Management and the various plans and funding arrangements which supported the introduction of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.  The Board had been informed that Halton had been granted £100,000 for the development of a Surface Water Management Plan (SWMP) for Widnes, which was ranked 156^th in Defra’s list of settlements in England, susceptible to surface water flooding, and that work was underway to establish partnerships and to identify the scope of the SWMP study. The finished plan would describe the causes and effects of surface water flooding and set out the most cost effective way of managing surface water flood risk for the long term. 

The report further advised that In accordance with Defra’s guidance on the preparation of SWMPs, a Partnership had been formed between Halton Council (as Lead Local Flood Authority - LLFA), the Environment Agency and United Utilities (as the water and sewerage company for the area).  Each partner had agreed to engage actively in the SWMP process, working together in co-operation and sharing information with all partners openly.  Furthermore, initial meetings had taken place with partners to scope and plan the study and to identify and agree the exchange of information necessary to carry out risk assessments.  It was noted that a significant amount of work had already been undertaken to map flood risk in Halton as part of the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Level 2. 

It was reported that Halton together with its partners had agreed the objectives of the Study, and these were circulated at the meeting as Appendix 2.  There was also an additional recommendation circulated at the meeting to adopt these objectives.  It was also reported that DEFRA had confirmed that the study would now include the whole of Halton and not just the Widnes area.

In addition, Halton’s successful ‘Early Action Bid’ for funding to produce the SWMP had identified the surcharging of sewer systems under storm and tidal conditions as a source of flooding at various locations.  It was expected that the study and plan to address such problems and to help to inform drainage strategies for major new developments in Widnes, including:

·        Widnes Waterfront;

·        the Mersey Gateway Regeneration Strategy for southern Widnes; and

·        the Housing growth Point area of north Widnes.

   United Utilities had also stated that they wished to reach an agreement with local authorities to produce a strategy to deal with highway drainage and gully connections. 

The Members were informed of the key and local objectives which had been discussed at the Partnership meeting on 10^th November 2010. 

In conclusion, it was reported that Defra’s capital budget had been reduced by 34% over the course of the CSR period.  As yet there were no details available about where cuts would be targeted, although the Government had indicated that improving flood protection remained a priority.   The Authority were waiting for further information on what funding would be available to Halton in the future to undertake the new duties and responsibilities under the Flood and Water Management Act, and to develop and implement options identified within the SWMP to mitigate the effects of flooding.

Arising from the discussion, it was suggested that future planning applications could be put on hold until the study had been completed and there was an opportunity for developers to consider providing joint funding in order to establish sustainable drainage on their development sites. In response, it was reported that Planning Conditions ensured that developers dealt with surface water drainage in order to mitigate the risk of flooding and surface water.  The study, it was reported would eventually consider how developers could work together to provide sustainable drainage systems.

It was noted that road gullies on the highway were cleansed on an annual basis.  However, the challenges and resource implications, especially at this time of year with the significant leaf fall was also noted.  However, the study, it was reported would identify vulnerable problematic areas and enable the Authority to target these areas.

RESOLVED: That

(1)                     the continuing work undertaken by Officers, the Council’s Consultants and Partners (Environment Agency and United Utilities) in the development of a Surface Water Management Plan (SWMP) and comments made  be noted;

(2)                     further reports be presented to the Board as work on the study and plan progress; and

(3)                     that the objectives for Halton’s SWMP Study as detailed in Appendix 2, as circulated at the meeting, be approved and adopted.