Issue - meetings

As part of a Scrutiny Panel update on Flood Risk Management, the Chairman, Councillor Will Sandry submitted a number of specific questions in relation to flood risk management. This report has been written as a reply to those questions.

The Chair, having consulted the Panel, stated that discussion on the Pulteney and Twerton gates would be deferred until the next item.

The Chair introduced Ed Lockington and Deborah Steadman from the Environment Agency and Daniel Noad, Emergency Management Team Leader and Stephen Bell, Communications Hub Manager.

Jim Collings (Flood Authority Manager) presented the report and welcomed discussion and comments.  He went on to explain that the Strategic Flood Board was an organisation that looked at risk management and the authorities involved had to co-operate and work together as part of a statutory function from the Flood and Water Management Act (2010). 

The Strategic River Group had a tight remit to develop schemes along the River Avon relating to surface water and drainage.  Councillor Cherry Beath suggested a report from this group would be useful.

Jim McEwen (Drainage Engineer) explained that they were statutory consultees on all major planning applications and any application needed to demonstrate there was no increased flood risk to the site or surrounding area.  With climate change DEFRA (the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) stated there was a variable % increase effect on rainfall between 20-40% which is used in the assessment of consequent surface run-off from the site whereas a different climate change factor(s) are used for river flooding assessments.

Councillor Fiona Darey stated that in her experience of working with the South Gloucestershire planners this work was a struggle with small developments and was too much asked for?  Jim Collings explained that the Council had been confused by the lack of Government guidance initially but now had developed one regional guide that was to be used for all of the West of England (West of England Sustainable Drainage Developer Guide).  Jim McEwen added that the team worked hard to promote drainage standards, for example the team have attended the Planning Forum and they were receiving 50 applications per month.

Councillor Fiona Darey went on to ask about the flow of water from Wiltshire?  Jim Collings responded that managing flooding on a catchment scale was the job of the Environment Agency (EA) as they looked at the larger scale and main river systems.  Councillor Fiona Darey went on to ask about the flow of water from Wiltshire?  Jim Collings responded that passing flow was the job of the Environment Agency (EA) as they looked at the larger scale.  Councillor Darey came back and stated that was the issue BANES dealt with surface flow and the EA the larger scale main rivers.  Jim McEwen explained that data was collected from properties and if it was surface water they would investigate and give it a score and find the cause and impact.  The Drainage and Flooding Team have been working with the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group recently and there were different incentives for farmers.

Councillor Cherry Beath asked what was seen as successful progress in the area and what was the main difficulty?  Jim Collings explained that work in Chew Magna had been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55