Agenda item

The Committee considered the final report of the Resilience Commission Informal Task Group which was presented by the Chairman of the Task Group, Councillor Caroline Jackson.

Members agreed that the Informal Task Group had produced an excellent report and the Committee unanimously agreed as follows: -

Resolved :-

That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommend: -

(1)          That training exercises/events continue to be arranged and held in the future in the district, to develop a means of sharing good communication and practices.

(2)          That the role of a Councillor regarding community leadership be included within the Councillors’ induction when elected. 

(3)          That Lancashire County Council, as the Lead Local Flood Authority under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and Flood Risk Management Overview and Scrutiny (England) Regulations 2011, be requested to appoint a City Council representative as a co-optee non-voting Member, to its relevant Scrutiny Committee when considering flooding issues regarding this District.

(4)          That the City Council’s Building Control Service is considered a valuable service that should be resourced and extended. 

(5)          That clarification be provided by the EA that all parties have access to the latest detailed maps that provide information on the latest classification of Zone 1 surface water. 

(6)          That alternatives to sandbags, such as floodsax, be trialled by the Council and, subject to successful trial, be made available to sell to local residents with details made available on the City Council’s website.

(7)          That for those Council houses/bungalows, where it has been shown that properties have flooded in the past, adaptations be made to these properties.  Consideration to could include adapting doorframes so that flood boards can be fitted and, if appropriate, flood guards for air bricks. 

(8)          That officers ensure that recovery and emergency plans are regularly assessed. 

(9)          That a Flooding and Community Response Cabinet Liaison Group be created, with Terms of Reference as set out below: -

Terms of Reference

Recommended Terms of Reference for the Flooding and Community Response Cabinet Liaison Group :

To provide assistance to the Cabinet Member to form a strategic oversight of flooding issues in the district including hearing the flooding issues, action plans and timescales from all the agencies with a responsibility for flooding  e.g. the Environment Agency and Lancashire County Council and also to hear from community groups and residents about what would help them best prepare and deal with flooding and to attract membership from qualified and knowledgeable people in the community. 

To advise the Cabinet Member on actions arising from an update report on relevant issues that will/may affect the District from the Lancashire Resilience Forum. 

To consider, on an annual basis, arrangements to mitigate the risk to council properties, where it has been shown that properties have flooded in the past and for appropriate adaptations to be made to these properties. 

To advise on the local flood emergency responses of the various agencies. 

To advise the Cabinet Member on action following receipt of reports on cross boundary issues. 

Note: The main cross boundary flooding issues relate to the Lune catchment and these of course are influenced by uplands in both Cumbria and Bowland.

To invite members of the Planning Policy Cabinet Liaison Group, at an appropriate time,  in order to hear policies/strategies for reducing the impact of flooding when planning for new development.

That future reports and surveys, including reports from the Lancashire Flood Partnership, be submitted for consideration to assist the Cabinet Member in making recommendations for action. 

That regular reports on cross boundary flooding issues are reported to the proposed Flooding Cabinet Liaison Group.  This to include, amongst other issues, updates from the Woodlands Trust regarding felling of trees, both inside the district and cross-border, that may have impactions on flooding within the district. 

That issues regarding communication be considered by the Liaison Group. 

Frequency:

The Group to meet twice a year, and/or more frequently as/when required.