Issue - meetings

Recommendation:

That subject to any views expressed at the meeting, the Executive recommend the draft Local Flood Risk Management Strategy to Full Council for approval and adoption.

Considered: A report of the Corporate Director – Business and Environmental Services setting out the proposed draft Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.

County Councillor Derek Bastiman introduced the report, stating that the draft strategy is a very important document that is required to be reviewed and updated every six years by the County Council as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA). Officers have carried out a review of the strategy, consulting with other risk management authorities, neighbouring flood authorities and other national bodies such as the Environment Agency. The draft strategy has also been the subject of a public consultation, with key changes resulting from the feedback received included a review of the previous actions to show the progress made, and a new set of actions to cover the period from 2022 to 2027. The strategy was also considered by the Transport, Economy and Environment O&S Committee in July, with a user friendly and accessible summary produced and the strategy strengthened to reflect the need for the LLFA to take into account local communities local knowledge of drainage and flood risk issues when responding to consultations, strategies and local plan allocations in relation to the planning process. Subject to any alterations by the Executive, the strategy will go to the Full County Council on 16 November.

County Councillor David Chance commented that he was pleased to see that consultation had taken place with key stakeholders to gather feedback to the draft strategy at a local level.

County Councillor Paul Haslam joined the meeting remotely to comment on parts of the draft strategy that he would like to see included in future versions. These included reference to the hydrological cycle that may have been affected by the recent drought, with evaporation levels exceeding the current levels of rainfall and how this water can be harnessed and stored for the future. He also commented on trying to mitigate the amount of water going into the sewage system so that future flooding events do not exacerbate the sewage problem. He welcomed the draft strategy and encouraged the link between the climate change, resilience and planning policies in future work.

In response, the Senior Flood Risk Management Engineer (MH) spoke about the ongoing project work with Yorkshire Water. He added that a review of the Yorkshire Water drainage and wastewater management plan is ongoing, with the county council responding as a consultee. County Councillor Derek Bastiman suggested sending the comments from County Councillor Paul Haslam to Planning department colleagues for their consideration.

Resolved –

That subject to any views expressed at the meeting, the Executive recommend the draft Local Flood Risk Management Strategy to Full Council for approval and adoption.