Agenda Item 5
Flood Risk Management - Update
REPORT TO ENVIRONMENT SCRUTINY PANEL APRIL 2016
This report is based upon recommendations 90 & 91 of the Pitt Report, stating that ‘Scrutiny Committees’ need to review works carried out to manage flood risk, and also that they should receive an annual summary of actions taken locally to manage flood risk.
Flood & Water Management Act, 2010 (FWMA);
Progress update, no further enactments of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 have been made in the past year.
Management of Flood Risk.
Studies
· AECOM have completed the studies for the 4 schemes we have submitted to be included in the Environment Agency’s Medium Term Plan for FDGiA. The schemes are Cornwall Close, Middlesbrough Golf Centre, Town Farm and Ormesby High Street. Middlesbrough Golf Centre was dropped at early stage when it was realised that other studies for Marton West Beck would render it not economical. Appendix 1 shows the proposals and approximate costs of the schemes.
· Saltersgill Fields
The scheme is to capture overland flows which have caused flooding problems in Saltersgill. 72 properties will have improved protection.
We have applied for Local Levy/FCERMGiA for funding to take this scheme to a point where we can start capitol works in 2017/18. The Environment Agency requires an Economic Appraisal in line with their requirements before funding can be released for the capitol works. It is hoped that all the relevant consultations and permissions are in place during the forthcoming year. Appendix 2 is a plan showing the proposals.
· Environment Agency Marton West Beck
A study is in the EA’s Medium Term Plan which has been allocated a budget of £253k (FCERMGiA & Local Levy) for the full length of Marton West Beck. There are approximately 600 properties at risk. There are a number of poor condition channel walls in the Town Centre acting as defences and an Environment Agency debris screen at Albert Park which is critical to reducing flood risk. There are 6 storage dams in the upstream sections which are thought to be ineffective in attenuating flows.
The full presentation is included at Appendix 3
· Regional Prioritisation Approach
Further to previous Scrutiny Panel meetings the stage 2 study for the Middlesbrough North drainage area has completed. This stage was to be a diagnostic study and identify future opportunities. The results are being fed into EA’s study.
SuDS Design Guide
Each Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) became a statutory consultee to the Planning Authority in April 2015. This new role is to determine surface water drainage systems for all major applications in line with a set of national standards set out by Government as well as specific local standards.
The Design Guide forms the minimum standards required by the Tees Valley Authorities and with the National Standards strongly promotes the use of SuDS which help to reduce surface water runoff and mitigate flood risk.
This document has been produced by a working group from the Local Authorities of Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-On-Tees Councils. Following completion consultation took place with comments being received from Environment Agency, Northumbrian Water Limited, Developers and Consultants.
Future Training
The Northumbria Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (NFRCC) made funding available via Local Levy (£25k) to support the region’s Risk Management Authorities (RMAs) in building capacity for their roles in flood risk management. Northumbrian Water generously matched the Local Levy contribution, enabling a total investment of £50k to improve knowledge and skills throughout the region. The target audience includes professionals across various disciplines and levels of seniority, including local politicians and RFCC members.
Stephen Binks
Principal Engineer
728156