Agenda item

To be moved by Councillor Dave Laming.

An officer briefing note had been circulated for this item and is available on the Minute book and attached electronically to the minutes.

James Hurley made a statement regarding severe flooding across B&NES and the opportunities that arose to address the challenges it brought up.  In response to a question from Councillor June Player about Mr Hurley’s reference to the path Wessex Water are taking, Mr Hurley responded that Wessex Water have led a management group and are working on a collaborative approach with a move towards eco system solutions which use the environment to be more resistant.  A copy of the statement has been placed on the Council’s Minute book and is attached electronically to the minutes.  The Chair indicated that the statement would be taken into account during the subsequent debate.

Councillor Dave Laming opened the debate and moved his motion, which was seconded by Councillor Nigel Roberts.

It was RESOLVED

This Council:-

• Notes and recognises the seriousness of flooding throughout the District.

• Recognises that people look to this Council to take action to minimise the risk from flood waters and debris in accordance with the Flood Water Management Act 2010.

• Recognises that homes and businesses have been damaged and in some instances destroyed due to these flood waters and debris.

• Notes that on Christmas Eve, the City of Bath came very close toa serious flooding incident and other areas of the District have also been subjected to very serious flooding. This is becoming more frequent.

Council therefore resolves:

1. To recognise that there is an established command structure which takes control when a flood emergency is imminent or occurs as set out in the Bath and North East Somerset Major Incident Plan and to propose that a multi-agency response group is established to oversee the implementation of the plan.

2. To instruct Officers to establish a Flood Board in accordance with the legislation to ensure partnership working, raise awareness of flood risk, promote resilience and undertake the necessary work required by the Flood Water Management Act 2010.

3. To develop a community resilience strategy and ensure that members and partner organisations are aware of the flood plans which are in place.  To make sure that the strategy and plans are future proofed and aligned with existing and planned regeneration, flood defence and flood conveyance measures.

4.  To ensure that the flood plans become a vital component of the Bath and North East Somerset River Strategy and can support Bath and North East Somerset Council in its role as Lead Local Flood Authority.

5.  Under the leadership and guidance of the Council’s Strategic Director for Place to urgently form a Round Table Working Group from the top level decision makers of the Canal & River Trust, the Environment Agency, Wessex Water, The River Regeneration Trust, and Senior Officers from this Council to discuss the river on a wider basis including flooding issues and proposed flood mitigation projects and other aspects such as usage.

4. To send a letter, signed by the Leader and the Chief Executive, to the Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) requesting that they urgently commit to implement all aspects of flood defence in the light of recent flooding events, and to express strong concern at any proposal to remove funding for Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS).

[Notes

1.  This motion was carried with 45 Councillors voting for, 0 Councillors voting against and 12 Councillors abstaining.]