Agenda item

          The Board considered a report on the progress on the development of Halton’s Surface Water Management Plan (SWMP), the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) and the timescales in relation to other flood risk management related matters.

 

          With regard to progress on the Surface Water Management Plan for Halton, Members noted the following:-

 

·                                     a set of objectives for the study were approved and Partners (HBC Environment Agency and United Utilities) had been working to these as the study developed;

 

·                                     Mott MacDonald were commissioned to produce the SWMP and they reported monthly against an agreed project plan and programme;

 

·                                     Defra had produced a framework for undertaking a SWMP;

 

·                                     a regular, 100 metre grid square pattern had been superimposed on a map of the Borough and a number of properties within each square identified, following a verification process these areas would form the basis of the detailed assessment which was the next stage of the SWMP study process, due to commence in February;

 

·                                     it was anticipated that this work would be completed in April and a final report on the risk assessment phase would be prepared;

 

·                                     work had commenced on the development of an engagement and communication plan; and

 

·                                     a further report would be presented to the Board at the next meeting in June 2011.

 

It was noted that Halton had received £10,000 grant allocation from Defra to fund the PFRA and JBA Consultants had been commissioned to undertake the assessment and prepare the report and maps. It was anticipated that the draft PFRA would be completed by the end of April and it was proposed to present a report for endorsement at the Board meeting in June prior to submission by Defra by 2^nd June 2011.

 

The Board also received an update from the Strategic Director, Environment and Economy regarding other developments in Flood Risk Management which included:

 

·                                                         Draft National Strategy and Future Funding;

·                                                         Keckwick Brook Flood Defence Scheme;

·                                                         Wharford Farm Flood Protection Works;

·                                                         Timetable for introduction of new duties, roles and responsibilities under Flood and Water Management Act;

 

·                                                         Register of Structures and Features and Designation;

·                                                         Investigation of Flooding Incidents; and

·                                                         SuDS Approval Body.

 

In addition the Board was advised that the Local Government Settlement announced in December confirmed that funding for 2011/12 would total £21 million rising to £36 million for 2012/13 and subsequent years of the Spending Review Period. Halton had been allocated Area based Grant funding of £115,600 in 2011/12 and £135,600 in 2012/13. Part of this funding was being used to enable additional staff resource to be put in place through the creation of an additional, temporary engineering post for the next two years, to assist in the delivery of the Council’s new role as Lead Local Flood Authority. Another part would be used for assessment and flood modelling studies.

 

Arising from the discussion it was agreed that a copy of the map that was circulated at the meeting would be emailed to members. Also a Member highlighted an issue with ‘soak aways’ in an area in Runcorn and it was agreed that this would be investigated.

 

          RESOLVED: That

 

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

 

(2)      a report detailing the SWMP study and outputs be presented to the Board in June 2011;

 

(3)      a draft PFRA, together with any proposed Flood Risk Areas be presented to the Board for endorsement in June 2011 prior to submission to Defra; and

 

          (4)      the PFRA be forwarded to Executive Board for approval.