South West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee

Thursday 10th October 2019 We are the Environment Agency. We protect and improve the environment. We help people and wildlife adapt to climate change and reduce its impacts, including flooding, drought, sea level rise and coastal erosion. We improve the quality of our water, land and air by tackling pollution. We work with businesses to help them comply with environmental regulations. A healthy and diverse environment enhances people's lives and contributes to economic growth. We can’t do this alone. We work as part of the Defra group (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs), with the rest of government, local councils, businesses, civil society groups and local communities to create a better place for people and wildlife.

Published by: © Environment Agency 2018 Environment Agency All rights reserved. This document may be Horizon House, Deanery Road, reproduced with prior permission of the Bristol BS1 5AH Environment Agency. www.gov.uk/environment-agency Further copies of this report are available from our publications catalogue: http://www.gov.uk/government/publications or our National Customer Contact Centre: 03708 506 506 Email: enquiries@environment- agency.gov.uk ENVIRONMENT AGENCY &

South West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee Meeting Thursday 10th October 2019 AGENDA The Kennaway Centre, 10-12 Victoria Road, , EX8 1DL Committee meeting commence: 12:45pm

Item Timing Item Lead Paper No. No. 1 12:45 Welcome Chairman Apologies Declarations of Interest Please note members’ declarations of interest for 2019/20 will be tabled at the meeting for signing. 2 12:50 A message from the Executive Director of FCRM John Curtin Oral update

3 13:05 Chairman’s Report Chairman Oral update

4 13:10 Finance & Business Planning: Jenny Hart SWRFCC/19/35 a) Current year progress update b) Local Choices (for decision) 5 13:20 Partnership Funding George Arnison a) A forward look of challenges b) The future Flood and Coastal Erosion SWRFCC/19/36 Investment Programme - Consultation (for comment) 6 13:50 Local Levy Programme Ben Johnstone SWRFCC/19/37 a) Current programme (for approval) b) 20/21 Local Levy Vote (for vote) 7 14:05 Coastal Group update John Cocker Oral update 8 14:15 Coastal Communities Presentation Ben Orriss SWRFCC/19/38

14:30: Break

9 14:40 Environment sub-group update Laurence Couldrick Oral update 10 14:50 South West Water: a) Integrated Drainage Partnership update Mark Worsfold b) SWW update report Richard Behan SWRFCC/19/39 11 15:05 AFCRM update report Ben Johnstone SWRFCC/19/40 12 15:15 DEFRA PFR Pathfinder project Dave Watkins 13 15:25 RMA Update Reports a) Martin Hutchings SWRFCC/19/41 b) Dave Watkins SWRFCC/19/42 c) Council of Isles of Scilly Julian Pearce SWRFCC/19/43 d) Council Dave Stewart SWRFCC/19/44 e) City Council Andy Cottam SWRFCC/19/45 14 15:55 Minutes & Matters Arising Chairman SWRFCC/19/46 To approve the minutes from the meeting on 11th July 2019 and update on any matters arising

CLOSE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY DEVON CORNWALL & ISLES OF SCILLY

Information Papers

Item Paper Contact for further details

Information FCERM Update Paper (for information) Environment Agency Stakeholder Paper 1 Management Team Information River Basin Management Plan consultation and Clive Phillips Paper 2 engagement (for information) Information 2020/21 FCRM Grant in Aid (GiA) indicative John Russon Paper 3 allocation for capital and revenue funding

Forward Look & Future Meetings

Date Location Meeting Detail/ Focus Thursday 9th January Roadford Lake Induction & Workshop (AM) Committee meeting (PM) Thursday 23rd April TBC Site Visit (AM) Committee Meeting (PM) Thursday 9th July TBC Site Visit (AM) Committee Meeting (PM) Thursday 22nd October TBC Local Levy 21/22 vote

VENUE The Kennaway Centre is located on 10-12 Victoria Road, Exmouth, EX8 1DL

BY CAR Car parks near the centre are detailed below.

From – At junction 30 of the M5 take the roundabout exit onto Road (A376). At the roundabout take the third exit continuing onto the A376 to Exmouth. At the next roundabout continue straight (second exit) along the A376. Continue along the A376 until you enter Exmouth and come to a roundabout. At the roundabout (next to Marks and Spencer’s) take the second exit onto Imperial Road. At the next roundabout take the third exit to park in the Long Stay Car Park, or the second exit to park at the Camperdown Terrace car park.

PARKING There are two pay and display long stay car parks both a short 5 minute walk to the Kennaway Centre. Details of each car park and a map to the Kennaway Centre from the car park are below.

Car Park 1: Estuary Long Stay Car Park, EX8 1DB. The Car Park is situated next to Exmouth train station. From the car park walk west towards The Royal Avenue. Turn left to stay on Royal Avenue Road. Take a slight left to stay on Royal Avenue Road and at the roundabout take the second exit onto Imperial Road. Turn left onto Victoria Road and the Centre is on your left.

Car Park 2: Camperdown Terrace Long Stay Car Park, EX8 1EJ Exit the car park and turn right onto Langerwehe Way. At the roundabout take the third exit onto Imperial Road. Turn left onto Victoria Road and the Centre is on your left.

By Train Exmouth train station is a short 5 minute walk from the venue. Please follow the map below from the station/ the Long stay car park which directs you to the Kennaway Centre by foot.

ITEM 4 SWRFCC/19/35

Appendix A – Projects Programmed to deliver in 2019/20 Appendix B – FCRM Capital programme refresh 2020/21(tabled)

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY SOUTH WEST

SOUTH WEST REGIONAL FLOOD & COASTAL COMMITTEE – 10 October 2019

PAPER BY: AREA FLOOD AND COASTAL RISK MANAGER and FLOOD AND COASTAL RISK MANAGEMENT – SENIOR TEAM LEADER (PROGRAMMING)

TITLE: FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS PLANNING – 2019/20 PROGRESS REPORT AND FUTURE PROGRAMME

RECOMMENDATIONS The Committee is recommended to: • Note the content of this report. • Approve the Local Levy programme. • Consider additional funding requests for Local Levy. • Note the indicative budget allocations for 2020/21. • Approve the 2020/21 Capital Programme Local Choices submission.

1.0 Overview

• Financial forecasts for 2019/20 are more than allocation, but expected due over- programming and risk allowance. • Target for Outcome Measures has been revised and we have a good level of confidence in delivery above target. • The Environment Agency river maintenance programme is on track. • Local Levy balances are being drawn down in the next 2-3 years, with more opportunity for funding project bids for future/pipeline years. • Indicative allocations have been received and Local Choices are being presented for approval.

Page 1 of 6 2.0 2019/20 Programme (Further information to be presented at the meeting)

3.1 Key Metrics

Spend at end Target/ Budget Description Forecast (£m) August (£m) (£m) EA Capital Programme GiA 6.7 19.5 20.9 EA Capital support schemes GiA 0.3 1.5 1.5 RMA Capital Programme GiA 0.3 6.1 4.0 Partnership Funding 0.9 1.6 2.0 Local Levy 0.2 1.1 1.1 Total spend (all funding - EA and RMA) 8.4 29.8 29.5

Delivered end Outcome Measures Forecast Revised target August

OM2: Properties Better Protected from Flooding 0 1,090 605 OM3: Coastal Erosion 0 30 12 OM4: KM of water body enhanced through FCRM 0 18 n/a (d,e,f) OM4: Ha of habitat enhanced through FCRM (g) 0 207 n/a OM4: Ha of habitat created through FCRM (h) 0 158 n/a

3.2 Capital Programme Overview 2019/20 (Please see Appendix A) Our target for outcome measures for both flood risk reduction had been reduced following a review of the programme. This is mostly due to the Exmouth scheme (1417 OM2s) slipping slightly to deliver the benefits in 2020/21. We are now forecasting well above our target and have a good level of confidence in achieving the forecast.

Outcome Measure 2/3 progress against the Consented Programme of February 2019 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 19/20 20/21 Consented 474 1,191 3,158 5,196 2,075 1,284 Consented 474 1,665 4,823 10,019 12,094 13,378 Cumulative Actual / 447 822 3,576 4,945 1,120 2,445 Forecast Cumulative 447 1,269 4,845 9,790 10,910 13,355 Actual/ Forecast

We do not have external targets to improve habitat in the year however we forecast to:

• Enhance 18km of water bodies (OM4a) • Create or enhance 366 Ha of habitat (OM4b)

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3.3 Revenue Maintenance Overview 2019/20 We are behind with the de-silt programme and have deferred some work until next year. Across the areas however, our maintenance programme is broadly on track.

3.4 Flood Defence Grant in Aid Capital Schemes The budget for Risk Management Authority (RMA) schemes is now held at the Area level and the National expectation is to manage the budget lines as a whole programme. This means that we are able to balance the Area budget across the RMA and EA programmes.

Environment Agency schemes The variance between the GiA allocation and the forecast for this year shows an underspend of £1.4m. We are holding around £3m in risk, so will be over-spent if this is realised. The forecast expenditure has reduced over the last month and we are confident that we can manage the budget in accordance with the national position.

Some of the larger budget allocations in 2019/20 are for Exmouth, , Gate, and Par/.

Risk Management Authority Schemes We are currently forecasting an over-spend of the capital grant allocation for RMA projects. Although this had decreased over the last quarter, we have had very clear instructions from the National team that we must manage back to the budget available within the Area. As the EA Programme currently holds a large risk, it cannot be relied up to offset this position. We are working to gain confidence in the delivery of the RMA programme to ensure that funds are available for claims. We are keen to avoid slippage as this will impact upon future budget allocations. Equally we want to be in a position to react positively to any National opportunities as we approach the end of the year.

Some of the larger allocations in 2019/20 are for , West Pier (Barbican), Par/St Blazey, Exeter Surface Water and Stokeinteignhead. Projects at and Plymouth have also been included in this programme following our successful bid into the Governments £36m acceleration fund.

3.5 Local Levy (refer to separate paper) Our August 2019 Local Levy programme sets out approved spending of £1.8m, however, the monthly forecast is lower than this.

The 2019/20 programme supports 34 projects across the Area, including larger contributions for seafront, New Feniton FAS, Clyst St Mary FD Improvements, Beach Management Scheme, Calstock, FAS and Par/St Blazey.

These projects have been identified as requiring Local Levy funds:- • Muddy Floods: Axe-Yeo- • Torcross & Slapton Line Coastal Adaptation • SW Climate Change Champions Sign

3.6 Contributions 2019/20 We are forecasting that we need £5.7m of contributions to support the delivery of projects in 2019/20, with approximately £1.6m yet to be secured or have written agreement.

We anticipate drawing down all remaining secured contributions against the Exeter scheme this year.

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3.7 Outcome Measures (OM2, 3 and OM4)

Outcome Measure 2 (Flood Risk) and 3 (Coastal Erosion) The end of year forecast is tail ended and the majority of the outcome measures are delivering in Q4. Although we are not relying on any particularly large projects this year, if delays are encountered on any projects in the programme, achieving the in-year target will be challenging. As we near the end of the programme, slippages are more likely to impact on our ability to contribute to the 6 year target.

Outcome Measure 4 – Environmental improvement/enhancements. The forecast for 2019/20 is ambitious and would improve over 300ha of habitat, with the Culm Habitat creation project being the most significant in delivering this.

3.8 Efficiencies We expect to achieve around 75% of our six year efficiency target. As we enter the latter years of the programme there is less opportunity to identify large efficiencies. To encourage all contributors in the delivery partnership to help towards this target we will continue to provide support to Project Managers, both in the EA and the RMAs.

4.0 6 Year Capital Investment Programme and 5 Year Revenue Programme (Details to be presented at the meeting. Please see Appendix B)

4.1 Capital Programme Refresh 2020/21 The Capital refresh submissions were approved at the July 2019 meeting. Our submission consisted of 61 schemes with a GiA/Growth (ring-fenced allocations) need of £22.3m delivering 2,310 OM2s and 24 OM3s.

4.2 Indicative Allocation and Local Choices Following the development of various scenarios at a national level, which Areas also input to, on 12 September 2019 we were issued with our indicative allocation. This allocation covers both the EA and RMA programmes and amalgamates our bids for GiA and Growth (ring-fenced allocations) into just one budget for all our schemes.

The indicative allocation is £19.9m, with a target of 2,326 OM2/3s. Local choices conversations have taken place and the resulting position will be presented at the October 2019 meeting (Appendix B)

4.3 Support Schemes and Revenue Refresh 2020/21 In addition to the Capital Programme Refresh process, revenue and support scheme bids were submitted in late July/ early August. The table below shows the latest indicative allocations.

Indicative Programme Bid (£) Allocation (£) ENV 339,989 188,750 SMP 507,110 507,110 FR 15,000 15,000 H&T 830,000 220,000 STR 50,000 0 REC n/a 550,000 M&F 1,026,000 TBA

4.4 Government special funds Page 4 of 6

Progress to date has been challenging due to the short time-scale for delivery and there is likely to be some slippage. Indications are that the national allocation team will continue to ring-fence funds for these projects if needed outside of the original 6-year programme timeframe.

Acceleration Fund The projects at Laira Avenue/Lipson Vale, Plymouth and Whimple are progressing as planned and will deliver outcomes in the 6-year programme.

Deprived Communities Fund The projects at Par/St Blazey, Paul Stream () and Portreath are all progressing although there are some concerns over the delivery of the outcomes in the 6-year programme due to the short timescales we are working within.

4.5 5 Year River Maintenance (Revenue) allocation As with the Capital programme, the refresh cycle for the revenue programme has taken place. We submitted our bid of £8.7m in July which represents scheduled investment need. We have now received a total indicative allocation of £5m.

4.6 Spending review 2019 We are currently in discussion with Defra and Treasury regarding the challenges and opportunities to develop a further 6 year programme.

Ben Johnstone Area Flood and Coastal Risk Manager

Jenny Hart FCRM Senior Team Leader - Programme

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The terms used in this report are explained in the guidance sheet at the end of this paper. Explanation of terms used

• Maintenance o Frequent Maintenance – Generally those activities which occur more frequently than once every five years o Intermittent Maintenance – Usually replacement or changes to existing assets or additional Health and Safety or enforcement work o Routine Maintenance – Frequent and Intermittent (Revenue funding) o Non-routine Maintenance – Recondition, Capital Maintenance (Capital funding) o Minimum Needs – The lowest unavoidable cost to maintain statutory compliance and operational readiness for a system over a 12 month period accepting that the Standard of Service may decline as a result. o Identified Needs – The optimal solution required to manage the system to achieve its desired target condition o Recondition – Capital maintenance to restore an assets to target condition of value ≤ £100k per asset. o Capital Maintenance – Work to restore a failing asset/s that does not improve the standard of service or protection (i.e. the height of an existing flood wall). o Standard of Protection - The effect of the asset on the flood risk. The standard is often measured in a return period such as 1:100. The Standard of Protection is determined partly by the asset’s design and current condition but also by other factors such as climate change and altered river flows. o Standard of Service - The performance of the asset at a point in time. When an asset is built, it has a designed performance such as a crest level. The 3Standard of Service begins to fall once the asset reaches the end of its residual life or when defects reduce its performance below that required. o System Asset Management Plans (SAMPs) are tactical long term plans for the management of assets forming individual Flood Risk Management systems.

• Programmes o Capital – Funding for scheme and non-scheme capital projects o Revenue – Funding for staff, support costs and non-capital eligible projects e.g. asset inspections and surveys. o Scheme – Projects including Capital Maintenance, New Flood Defences or individual Property Level Protection. o Non-Scheme – Projects including Modelling and Mapping, Telemetry sites and Fish and Eel passage. o FDGiA Bid – The bid for Flood Defence Grant-in-Aid usually the sum of the proposed programme. o Proposed Programme – The programme of work for that year submitted to National for funding approval. o Indicative Allocation – The amount of funding initially allocated by DEFRA in response to the proposed programme. o Local Choices – The process where RFCCs prioritise key projects at a local level. o Final allocation – The final amount of funding allocated by DEFRA following each regions local choices. o Affordable Programme – The key list of projects which make up the programme. o Over Programme – A smaller additional list of projects which pick up any attrition in the affordable programme. These may or may not be delivered depending on the financial position nationally. Surplus funding may be allocated to deliver these projects in addition to the affordable programme but this is not guaranteed.

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Item 4 SWRFCC/19/35 Appendix A Projects Programmed to Deliver OMs in 19/20 and 20/21

Projects in construction 19/20 20/21 OMs OMs Exeter FDS Environment Agency EA 300 0 Anchorwood FD Improvements Environment Agency EA 91 0 Devon County Council PLP Devon County LA 25 0 Devon County Council PLR 2019-20 Devon County LA 40 0 Exeter Flood Surface Water Improvements Devon County LA 55 0 Exmouth Tidal Defence Scheme . Environment Agency EA 0 1417 Helston Environment Agency EA 0 74 Long Rock Coastal Strategic Improvements Project (E) Cornwall Unitary Authority LA 267 0 Polperro Tidal Gate Repair Environment Agency EA 49 0 Portreath Sea Wall Emergency Repairs Environment Agency EA 69 0 Topsham Tidal Defence Scheme Exeter District (B) LA 0 60 Victoria Breakwater Structural Repairs and Climate Torbay Unitary Authority LA 40 0 Change resilience scheme

Construction starting 19/20 19/20 20/21 OMs OMs Calstock Flood Defence Improvements Environment Agency EA 11 0 Collaton St Mary Flood Alleviation Scheme Torbay Unitary Authority LA 0 22 sea walls refurbishment Cornwall Unitary Authority LA 40 0 Hannafore Sea Defence Refurbishment Cornwall Unitary Authority LA 15 0 Laira Avenue Phase 1 - Bernice Terrace, Lipson Vale, Plymouth Unitary Authority LA 12 0 Catchment Management, St Marys Isles of Scilly Unitary LA 20 0 Authority New Feniton Flood Alleviation Scheme LDW 41255 District LA 0 63 PFR Cornwall [IPP PLR] Cornwall Unitary Authority LA 18 0 Polperro trash screen improvements Environment Agency EA 23 0 Sidmouth Surface Water Flood Improvement scheme Devon County LA 0 100 Stibbs Lane, District (B) LA 50 0 Stokeinteignhead Flood Alleviation Scheme Devon County LA 0 40 Whimple - Webbers Close Culvert Repairs Environment Agency EA 0 14

Construction starting 20/21 19/20 20/21 OMs OMs Alexandra Close, , surface water flood Plymouth Unitary Authority LA 0 8 protection Chillington Surface Water FAS Devon County LA 15 0 Clyst St Mary Flood Defence Improvements Environment Agency EA 0 50 Combeinteignhead PLR Scheme District LA 0 15 Devon County Council PLR 2020-21 Devon County LA 0 20 Coast Protection Works Phase 2 Cornwall Unitary Authority LA 0 25 Hell Bay Sea Defence Repairs, Isles of Scilly Unitary LA 0 5 Authority Paul Stream channel/ culvert refurbishments Environment Agency EA 0 36 Tumble Tyn and Paul Stream Culvert Improvements Cornwall Unitary Authority LA 0 20

Item 5 SWRFCC/19/36

Appendix A: Further details of the proposed Partnership Funding amendments

Paper by: Director of Strategy and National Adaptation, Environment Agency & Deputy Director of Floods, Defra

Subject: Partnership Funding for the Future Flood and Coastal Erosion Investment Programme

Recommendations

The RFCC is asked to: 1. Note the progress in preparing a case for a future Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) capital programme. 2. Note that outcomes from a future investment programme will be dependent on amending the Partnership Funding rules, including those coming into operation in April 2021. 3. Provide support and views on a number of potential Partnership Funding rule amendments being considered by Defra and the Environment Agency. The Environment Agency and Defra will take these views into account when deciding on the approach to a new investment programme.

1.0 Introduction

1.1 We have been enormously successful delivering the current Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) investment programme (2015- 2021). We are on course to better protect 300,000 homes from flooding, made possible by securing up to £600m of additional funding from partners (government departments and local contributors).

1.2 Over the past 18 months the Environment Agency and Defra have been preparing proposals for a future FCERM investment programme beyond 2021. This will inform government decisions on the nature of this investment programme. It will also inform any changes government wishes to make to the funding policy which guides the allocation of the Grant in Aid (GiA). During this time, we have also collected feedback from Regional Flood and Coastal Committees (RFCCs) on current Partnership Funding rules that define the maximum grant payment Government will contribute towards specified outcome measures.

1.3 Having delivered the most overwhelmingly cost beneficial schemes in the past few years, schemes in the future programme on average would require more contributions from others. Previous feedback from RFCC Chairs has been supportive in principle of updating payment rates. This feedback has highlighted the opportunity to reflect wider benefits that can be achieved through FCERM investments, such as safeguarding mental health, and the government’s wider objectives such as those in the 25 Year Environment Plan and Surface Water Management Action Plan.

Page 1 of 6

Paper for: Comment

1.4 We are now seeking RFCC views on a number of proposed amendments to the current rules. Subject to decisions by government on the nature of the future investment programme and Defra’s associated funding policy, these could be implemented from the start of the next programme in 2021 on the basis that they are relatively straightforward improvements to the existing Partnership Funding policy framework. Defra and the Environment Agency will take account of these views.

2.0 Proposed rule changes

2.1 Views are sought on four proposed amendments as soon as possible. These are described in summary below, and will be presented in more detail during the meeting.

2.2 Payment rates would be updated and increased to take into account inflation since 2011 when the policy was first introduced. They would also be amended to take account of the mental health impacts of flooding, which are currently poorly valued in flood risk appraisals and were not fully understood when the policy was agreed in 2011. This is supported by evidence from the Environment Agency and Public Health that shows that mental health impacts are a major part of the householder experience of flooding.

2.3 An Intermediate Risk Band would be introduced to encourage schemes (particularly surface water) that cannot currently achieve a high enough Standard of Protection to trigger a change to a lower likelihood of flooding category. This would be an amendment to the current risk bands and should help more surface water schemes progress.

2.4 Climate Change Impacts would be introduced to further reflect climate change in the funding system, by recognising the benefit to households and properties that become “at risk” during the lifetime of schemes. Some schemes have a design life of 100 years. This amendment would account for the longer term impacts, better integrating climate change into our FCERM scheme appraisal.

2.5 Environmental Benefits / Outcome Measure 4 would amend the existing environmental outcome measure to better account for the additional environmental benefits delivered by FCERM schemes rather than only focussing on statutory designated sites, like Sites of Special Scientific Interest. This amendment would encourage FCERM schemes to embed natural flood management and natural capital approaches and support the objectives of the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan.

2.6 Based on engagement with RFCC chairs, we believe these changes would result in an achievable partnership funding requirement in the next programme. Wider contributions to schemes will remain an important part of the funding policy based on the original principles. They would enable our future programme to contribute positively to a wider range of benefits from the FCERM investments made by the Environment Agency and other risk management authorities. They would also align to the ambitions of the draft FCERM Strategy due to be finalised at the end of this year following Ministerial approval.

Page 2 of 6

Paper for: Comment

2.7 As part of the suite of funding improvements, Defra and the Environment Agency are also proposing to introduce an Asset Replacement Fund. This fund would pay more grant in aid for significant capital upgrades when assets have reached the need for replacement - where there is no realistic prospect of securing local contributions and these works have a high benefit-cost ratio. This would strengthen existing practice where the Environment Agency manages deteriorating assets by planning for their sustainable replacement before they require emergency works. The fund would be used as part of the existing Partnership Funding arrangements and would be subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

3.0 Implementation of rule amendments

3.1 Subject to feedback, and Ministerial approval, we propose to capture the data necessary to implement the four rule amendments above, during the next capital programme refresh. This would require clear guidance and tools to be available to Environment Agency, other risk management authorities and suppliers by April 2020, in order to prepare for a new programme start in April 2021.

3.2 Subject to government decisions on the nature of the next investment programme, Defra will need to update the overall Partnership Funding policy in advance of April 2021. Defra will work with the Environment Agency to determine how any further rule changes would be applied to the next programme.

4.0 Recommendations

4.1 The RFCC is asked to: 1. Note the progress in preparing a case for a future Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) capital programme. 2. Note that outcomes from a future investment programme will be dependent on amending the Partnership Funding rules, including those coming into operation in April 2021. 3. Provide support and views on a number of potential Partnership Funding rule amendments being considered by Defra and the Environment Agency. The Environment Agency and Defra will take these views into account when deciding on the approach to a new investment programme.

Author: Julie Foley and David Cooper Job title: Director Strategy & National Adaptation (EA), Deputy Director of Floods (Defra) Sponsor: Julie Foley, EA Date: 23 September 2019

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Paper for: Comment

Appendix

Further details of the proposed Partnership Funding amendments

The detail described here will be considered further as part of the overall development of the proposed changes – to inform a final decision.

1 Payment Rates & Damage Values

The proposed amendments will reflect the updated benefits of investment and result in more grant funding being available to FCERM schemes. This will be a combination of increasing payment rates overall, and counting some benefits, particularly people-related benefits, at the higher household rate. This will reduce the partnership funding requirement for some projects.

Outcome Measure 1 (OM1) focuses on the economic damages avoided and the benefits to businesses, commercial properties and infrastructure. The current payment rate is 5.56p per £ of benefit.

The proposed amendment uses the latest evidence from the 2013/14 and 2015/16 floods on the distribution of flood impacts across different sectors. This will update the payment rate to 6p of Grant in Aid per £ of benefit.

Outcome Measure 2 (OM2) focuses on the benefits to households better protected from flooding. The current payment rates ranges from 20p per £ of benefit (for the least deprived households) to 45p per £ of benefit (for the most deprived households).

Outcome Measure 3 (OM3) focuses on benefits to households better protected from coastal erosion. The current payment rates ranges from 20p per £ of benefit (for the least deprived households) to 45p per £ of benefit (for the most deprived households).

Under our proposals, payment thresholds in both OM2 and OM3 will be updated for inflation since 2011 in line with the HM Treasury recommended approach.

The proposed amendment will update the definition of ‘household benefits’ (OM2) to include people-related benefits, notably recognising mental health impacts. The evidence for this amendment comes from research by the Environment Agency and Public Health England that unequivocally shows mental health impacts are a major part of the householder experience of flooding. The scale of household mental health impacts was unknown when the Partnership Funding policy was agreed in 2011. The proposed amendment will give mental health the same weighting in the funding formula as damages to buildings and contents and will be valued in line with number of households better protected from flooding. This amendment will significantly increase the total potential households protected in a future capital programme and increase average payments per scheme under OM2 by around 20%.

2 Intermediate Risk Band

The current eligibility for GiA is dependent on a FCERM scheme demonstrating that they move households from one risk band to a lower one. The risk bands are based on protection against events of a given annual likelihood. The current and proposed risk bands are described in the table below.

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Paper for: Comment

Currently, some schemes, particularly surface water schemes, cannot develop a deliverable option to reduce flood risk to moderate or low risk. This may be because highways or sewerage systems have a much lower capacity and would be very expensive to upgrade, or because there is an unrealistic partnership funding gap, that means a scheme will never progress.

This proposal will introduce an additional risk band of 2% annual probability (1 in 50). This will mean schemes that cannot achieve a high enough standard of protection to move properties to the moderate risk band can still qualify for FCERM GiA. The existing moderate and significant risk bands will be adjusted as illustrated in the table below.

Current Risk Bands >0.5% AEP* 0.5% to 1.33% AEP 1.33% to 5% AEP <5% AEP >1:200 1:200 to 1:75 1:75 to 1:20 <1:20 low moderate significant very significant

Proposed Risk Bands >0.5% AEP 0.5% to 1% AEP 1% to 2% AEP 2% to 5% AEP <5% AEP >1:200 1:200 to 1:100 1:100 to 1:50 1:50 to 1:20 <1:20 low moderate intermediate significant very significant *AEP = Annual Exceedance Probability, the likelihood of flooding in any given year

3 Climate Change Impacts

Over the lifetime of flood and coastal defence schemes, the underlying risk in terms of sea level, storminess, and peak river levels, will increase due to climate change. Without new schemes, some households currently considered at very low risk of flooding would over time move into higher likelihood categories. The proposed change will mean that the benefits to such households can be captured and claimed.

These properties are currently captured in the economic benefits (OM1) but will now be captured under the households measure (OM2) resulting in more grant being made available to schemes, and a significant number of additional homes protected in the future. This amendment would enable the future capital programme to be more resilient to future climate change risks.

This is in line with government’s policies on climate change including the National Adaptation Programme – which reflects advice from the Committee on Climate Change. The draft FCERM Strategy also recommends that FCERM investments should better plan for future flooding and coastal change in the face of climate change risks.

4 Environmental Benefits / Outcome Measure 4

This proposed amendment to the existing Outcome Measure 4 (OM4) will allow projects to attract a contribution for achieving additional environmental benefits over and above the mitigation or compensation required by legal environmental

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Paper for: Comment requirements to deliver the scheme (e.g. Habitats Directive compensation requirements).

Currently the outcomes from the existing OM4 are focussed to designated environmental sites such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The amendment would improve alignment to the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan and outcomes to improve habitats and water bodies and enhance natural capital.

This improved measure has been in development for some time and is supported by feedback from Environment Agency and other risk management authority practitioners as well as the RFCC conservation members. The proposed amendment would make it easier to deploy FCERM grant for schemes that deliver multiple benefits, reducing flood risk whilst also contributing to environmental net gain.

The new OM4 payment would be up to 20p per £ of eligible environmental benefit. The proposal is designed to ensure that FCERM investment in environmental benefits complements the scheme to reduce flood and erosion risk and must be fully justified in the business case.

The OM4 payment rate will work in tandem with, but not duplicate, other FCERM GiA funding for statutory, legal environmental requirements associated with existing FCERM assets and operations.

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Item 6 SWRFCC/19/37

Appendix A – Current Local Levy Programme Appendix B – Muddy Floods Axe-Yeo-Marazion Appendix C – Torcross & Slapton Line Coastal Adaptation Appendix D – SW Climate Change Champions Sign

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY SOUTH WEST

SOUTH WETS REGIONAL FLOOD & COASTAL COMMITTEE – 10th October 2019

PAPER BY: AREA FLOOD AND COASTAL RISK MANAGER TITLE: FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS PLANNING – LOCAL LEVY PROGRAMME

RECOMMENDATIONS The Committee is recommended to: o Note the content of this report o Note that an estimated £7.15 million of Local Levy partnership funding enables the investment of approximately £57.8 million of Flood Defence Grant in Aid (FDGiA) into the delivery of Levy funded projects

TO BE RESOLVED: The Committee is requested to: o Decide and agree on the total Local Levy contribution increase for 2020/21 o Approve or reject the new Local Levy bids o Decide on the approval of outstanding conditional Local Levy offers

1. Local Levy 2019-2020 – (Please refer to Appendix A)

The Local Levy programme for 2019/20 is set out in Appendix A and represents an investment of £1.81m (£1.46 million on Capital projects and £355k on Revenue projects). This investment will contribute to the delivery of projects which will provide flood and coastal erosion risk protection to 1,574 households.

Capital project expenditure to 31st August was £193,000. This is slightly lower than expected at mid-year however typically most claims are submitted in Q3 and Q4.

The future risk allowance for the Polperro Tide Gate project is unlikely to be required. The allocation of local levy for this project has therefore reduced from £182k to £80k. The provisional allocation of £270k for Bay Strategy has also been removed as we are optimistic of getting this funding through FDGiA.

2. Local Levy Requests – (Please refer to Appendices B - D) The following projects have submitted a bid for Local Levy:

 Muddy Floods: Axe-Yeo-Marazion Appendix B  Torcross & Slapton Line Coastal Adaptation Appendix C  SW Climate Change Champions Sign Appendix D  Helston ()

The Helston (River Cober) project requires an additional £293k of Local Levy. This is due to requirements from South West Water to divert the existing sewer as building over the top of the existing sewer has not been permitted. The Environment Agency had proposed entering into a legal agreement with South West Water (SWW) whereby the Environment Agency would pay SWW any additional costs incurred by SWW due to the new construction works should SWW Page 1 of 7

Item 6 SWRFCC/19/37

need to excavate or gain access to their sewer in the future. Unfortunately this proposal has not been accepted by SWW.

These projects equate to a total of £458k in new Local Levy requests.

3. Conditional Local Levy Offer Projects: Updates

3.1. Connecting the Culm The Connecting the Culm project currently has a conditional offer of £100k of Local Levy funding. The conditional offer required Devon County Council to bid for FDGiA as part of the Refresh process. Devon County Council are currently in the process of applying for FDGiA, which if successful, will replace the £100k of Local Levy.

4. 2020/21 Vote & Impact on Balances The current Local Levy balances can be seen in Appendix A. Balances for the years 2020/21 to 2024/25 have been profiled on a 2% annual increase in contribution.

Table 1 below summarises the impacts upon the balances for a 5%, 3% and 2% annual increase in contribution in 2020/2021. The closing balance for 2019/20 with no additional bids approved is £1,003,128. The expected spend in 2020/2021 is currently £1,749,640 (Appendix E elaborates).

TABLE 1

2020/2021 5% 3% 2% % increase proposal

Initial Closing Balance £591,668 £566,179 £553,435

Potential Closing Balance £83,668 £58,179 £45,435 (if all new bids approved)

For reference the following table provides a breakdown of each LLFAs contribution to Local Levy for each of the 3 proposed funding scenarios.

Page 2 of 7

Item 6 SWRFCC/19/37

South West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee

Local Levy Increase Scenarios (2020/21)

2019/20 2020/21: Proposed Funding scenarios

Local Authority Council Tax 2019/20 Increase for Base 19/20 Levy 19/20 FD 5% 3% 2% Band D levy per scenario scenario scenario properties band D Contribution contribution contribution property SOUTH WEST £ £ TBC ~ £ £ £ £ RFCC: Devon County Council 290,158 605,988 2.08 £636,287 £624,167 £618,108

Cornwall Council 194,262 404,059 2.08 £424,262 £416,180 £412,140

Council of Isles of 1,317 2,797 2.08 £2,937 £2,881 £2,853 Scilly

Torbay Council 45,699 94,716 2.08 £99,451 £97,557 £96,610

Plymouth City Council 73,172 151,854 2.08 £159,447 £156,410 £154,891

Somerset County 7,136 15,045 2.08 £15,797 £15,496 £15,346 Council

Total 1,274,458 £1,338,181 £1,312,692 £1,299,947

Further information regarding individual LLFA contributions and return on investment is detailed within each Local Levy pack report sent out to LLFAs before the meeting.

The initial closing balance does not account for any additional Local Levy bids brought to the meeting. The impact on the balances if all new bids were to be approved can be seen in the potential balance breakdown in Table 1.

The current Terms of Reference has a suggested level of Local Levy balances of between £100,000 and £200,000 to be based on the risk being carried over in any one year. The construction levels within the last two years of the current capital programme are high as projects aim to complete by March 2021, therefore the associated risk is also high. The Local Levy balances should therefore try to reflect this by aiming to have the upper level of the suggested minimum balance of £200k.

Therefore it is recommended that the Local Levy programme is adjusted to provide a minimum of £200k balances in the 2020/21 financial year if all of the new bids are approved for inclusion.

There are still some uncertainties such as the outcome of the Local Choices exercise and the Connecting the Culm bid at the time of writing the paper. Therefore the exact detail on how the increase in balances could be achieved is not known but it may require the delay or re-profiling of projects in the current 20/21 local levy programme. What is clear is that the further funding required based upon the latest refresh data is that the demand for Local Levy remains oversubscribed. Page 3 of 7

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5. RMA projects with Local Levy and FDGiA funding A list of projects that have been allocated Local Levy and FDGiA funding is detailed in Table 2 below. Through contributing approximately £7.15million of Local Levy to projects within DCIS, £57.8million of FDGiA funded has been unlocked. On the consideration of the 6 year programme as a whole, for every £1 of Local Levy invested over £8 of FDGiA is unlocked in return.

TABLE 2 Total Local Levy Total FDGiA RMA Project Allocated allocated Millbrook £ 50,000 £ 561,000 Braunton Flood Improvements £ 30,000 £ 400,000 Colaton Raleigh Flood Improvements £ 30,000 £ 310,000 Devon County Council PLR (2018-2019) £ 20,000 £ 50,000 Devon County Council PLR (2019-2020) £ 20,000 £ 50,000 Devon County Council PLR (2020-2021) £ 20,000 £ 50,000 Devon County Exeter Flood Surface Water Improvements £ 100,000 £ 600,000 Council Modbury Flood Improvements £ 100,000 £ 430,000 Sidmouth Surface Water Flood Improvement scheme £ 30,000 £ 435,000 Stibbs Lane, Ivybridge £ 100,000 £ 480,000 Stokeinteignhead 2012 - Remedial Works/ Flood Improvements £ 150,000 £ 220,000 Teignmouth Beach Management Plan £ 155,000 £ 135,000 Flood Resilience Scheme £ 30,000 £ 98,000 Surface Water £ 30,000 £ 50,000 Bampton Scheme Upstream Improvements £ 125,000 £ 945,000 Bayards Cove IPP (Dartmouth) £ 25,000 £ 185,000 Bishops Tawton Flood Defence Scheme £ 60,000 £ 110,000 Clyst St Mary Flood Defence Improvements £ 320,000 £ 960,000 Environment Agency Combe Martin Fluvial Flood Alleviation Scheme £ 25,000 £ 507,749 (Devon) Warren and Exmouth Beach Management Scheme £ 150,000 £ 11,833,200 Sea £ 23,000 £ 269,789 Flood Improvements £ 50,000 £ 400,000 NFM £ 10,000 £ 282,000 Metcombe £ 20,000 £ 55,000

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Seaton Estuary Improvements (DC5) £ 150,000 £ 342,000 Flood Risk Improvements £ 45,000 £ 292,000 Flood Defence Improvements £ 210,000 £ 3,397,482 Wrafton Flood Defence Scheme £ 75,000 £ 232,272 Combeinteignhead, shaldon floods 2012 remedial works - culvert Teignbridge District replacement Council £ 30,000 £ 53,568 New Feniton Flood Alleviation Scheme £ 200,000 £ 315,000 East Devon District Council Whimple Flood Defence Improvements £ 69,000 £ 1,032,000 Topsham Tidal Defence Scheme Exeter City Council £ 50,000 £ 301,733 PFR Cornwall (IPP PLR) £ 71,280 £ 190,080 Cornwall Council Long Rock Coastal Improvements £ 34,000 £ 2,728,000 Tumble Tyn and Paul Stream Culvert Improvements £ 75,000 £ 135,000 Calstock Flood Defence Improvements £ 72,000 £ 1,916,750 Chaddlewood screen upgrade £ 67,000 £ 532,700 Stream d/s Channel Imps £ 489,000 £ 172,000 Gate Refurbishment £ 67,000 £ 875,948 stream culvert inlet screen refurbishments £ 23,000 £ 168,794 FAS £ 105,000 £ 610,585 Helston (River Cober) £ 285,540 £ 4,361,590 Latchbrook Impoundment Dam Refurbishment £ 23,000 £ 438,841 Environment Agency – fluvial £ 210,000 £ 2,658,000 (West) Par/st. Blazey £ 60,000 £ 3,859,980 Paul Stream channel/culvert refurbishments £ 67,000 £ 656,757 Penryn Tidal £ 23,000 £ 268,865 ( River) FDS £ 318,000 £ 790,000 Polperro trash screen improvements £ 23,000 £ 948,583 Polperro tide gate repair £ 80,000 £ 1,504,560 Portreath FAS £ 430,000 £ 2,093,483 Portreath Sea Wall Emergency Repair £ 40,000 £ 800,000

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Tamerton Foliot Stream Screen refurbishment £ 23,000 £ 194,780 Colebrook Flood Risk Management Scheme £ 250,000 £ 384,000 Deans Cross IUDM Flood Alleviation Scheme, Plymstock £ 276,000 £ 216,000 Flood Recovery Project 2012 Honicknowle Lane, Plymouth, New trash screen and headwall £ 14,000 £ 58,000 Plymouth City Lipson Vale, Trefusis Park Phase 1 (SWW IUDM) £ 54,000 £ 60,000 Council Flood Recovery Project 2012 Longbrook Street IUDM scheme, £ 120,000 £ 152,000 Stoggy Lane Culvert Improvements £ 34,000 £ 64,000 The Barbican, West Pier north sides reconstruction, Plymouth (Phase 1 works) £ 150,000 £ 2,000,000 Collaton St Mary Flood Alleviation Scheme £ 50,000 £ 180,000 Torbay Council Paignton Seafront £ 500,000 £ 1,283,000 River Fleet Flood Alleviation Scheme £ 500,000 £ 2,109,000 Council of Isles of Scilly Flood/erosion improvements in IoS £ 15,000 TBC Total Local Levy Allocated £ 7,152,820 Total FDGiA Allocated £ 57,794,089

6. 2019/2020 Local Levy Claims Table 3 lists the projects that are all forecast to claim for Local Levy in 2019/20. Ensuring Local Levy is drawn down in line with forecasts is essential to maintaining a better understanding of the pressures on local levy balances in both the current year and future years.

TABLE 3 RMA/ Organisation Project Total 2019/2020 Forecast Claim Cornwall Council PFR Cornwall £35,640 Devon County Council Corry & Coly NFM £40,000 Devon County Council Exeter Flood Surface Water Improvements £85,000 Devon County Council Sidmouth Surface Water Improvements £30,000 Devon County Council Stibbs Lane, Ivybridge £85,000 Devon County Council Stokeinteignhead Flood Improvements £75,000

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Devon County Council Teignmouth Beach Management Plan £15,000 East Devon District Council New Feniton Flood Alleviation Scheme £100,000 Exeter City Council Topsham Tidal Defence and PLR £50,000 Plymouth City Council Longbrook Street IUDM, Plympton £120,000 Teignbridge District Council Combeinteignhead culvert replacement £30,000 Teignbridge District Council Devon and Cornwall RMA Asset Management £40,000 Torbay Council Collaton St. Mary Flood Alleviation Scheme £50,000 Cornwall Catchment Partnership Ridgeway Wetlands, pre-project monitoring £20,000 Environment Agency (East) Clyst St Mary FDI £88,000 Environment Agency (East) Combe Martin Fluvial FAS £25,000 Environment Agency (East) East Devon Soils Project £5,000 Environment Agency (East) Horsey Island £15,000 Environment Agency (East) Lympstone NFM (soil study) £10,000 Environment Agency (East) Seaton Estuary Improvements £36,000 Environment Agency (East) South Molton Flood Risk Improvements £41,000 Environment Agency (East) Wrafton Flood Defence Scheme £25,000 Environment Agency (West) Calstock FDI £26,000 Environment Agency (West) Par/ St. Blazey £30,000 Environment Agency (West) Portreath FAS £25,000

• The Helston (River Cober) scheme and the Polperro Tide Gate scheme both have risk pot funding for 2019/20. These figures have not been included in Table 3 as it is hoped the risks will not be realised and the funds can be returned to the Local Levy pot.

Ben Johnstone Area Flood and Coastal Risk Manager

Jenny Hart FCRM Senior Team Leader - Programme

Page 7 of 7

SOUTH WEST REGIONAL FLOOD & COASTAL COMMITTEE Item 6 DEVON AND CORNWALL FLOOD AND COASTAL EROSION RISK MANAGEMENT PROJECTS - LOCAL LEVY PROGRAMME SWRFCC/19/37 CAPITAL PROGRAMME 23 September 2019 Appendix A Forecast Expenditure

# Houses moving flood Levy per Total Expenditure to 2019/2020 2020/2021 2021/2022 2022/2023 2023/2024 2024/2025 Scheme RMA Total Allocated Status risk band Household (£) 2018/19 (Year 5) (Year 6) (Year 7) (Year 8) (Year 9) (Year 10) Braunton Burrows Velator Great Sluice Refurb IDB PSO West 0 £ - £ 15,000 £ 15,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Fully Paid Calstock Flood Defence Improvements PSO West 11 £ 6,545 £ 72,000 £ 47,000 £ 26,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Chaddlewood screen upgrade PSO West 48 £ 1,396 £ 67,000 £ 66,996 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Fully Paid Chyandour Stream d/s Channel Imps Penzance PSO West 17 £ 28,765 £ 489,000 £ 318,306 £ - £ - £ - Fully Paid Copperhouse Gate Refurbishment PSO West 138 £ 486 £ 67,000 £ 67,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Fully Paid Drakewalls stream culvert inlet screen refurbishments PSO West 17 £ 1,353 £ 23,000 £ - £ - £ - £ 23,000 £ - £ - £ - Fowey FAS PSO West 21 £ 5,000 £ 105,000 £ - £ - £ - £ 105,000 £ - £ - £ - Helston (River Cober) PSO West 121 £ 2,360 £ 285,540 £ 78,540 £ 207,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - PFR Cornwall [IPP PLR] Cornwall Council 189 £ 377 £ 71,280 £ - £ 35,640 £ 35,640 £ - £ - £ - £ - Keveral Gardens, Seaton Culvert Improvements Cornwall Council 24 £ 3,542 £ 85,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Latchbrook Impoundment Dam Refurbishment (phase 1) PSO West 92 £ 250 £ 23,000 £ - £ - £ 23,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - Long Rock Coastal Improvements Cornwall Council 267 £ 127 £ 34,000 £ 34,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Fully Paid Cornwall Mevagissey - fluvial PSO West 102 £ 2,059 £ 210,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Par Lane Improvements late claim Cornwall Council 0 £ - £ 33,000 £ 33,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Fully Paid Par/st. Blazey PSO West 213 £ 282 £ 60,000 £ - £ 30,000 £ - £ - Paul Stream channel/culvert refurbishments PSO West 36 £ 1,861 £ 67,000 £ - £ - £ 67,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - Penryn IUDM (SWW) PSO West 20 £ 1,150 £ 23,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ 23,000 £ - £ - Perranporth (Bolingey River) FDS PSO West 107 £ 2,972 £ 318,000 £ 308,358 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Fully Paid Polperro trash screen improvements PSO West 23 £ 1,000 £ 23,000 £ 22,997 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Fully Paid Polperro tide gate repair PSO West 49 £ 182,000 £ - £ 80,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Portreath FAS PSO West 137 £ 3,139 £ 430,000 £ - £ 25,000 £ 405,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - Portreath Sea Wall Emergency Repair PSO West 54 £ 741 £ 40,000 £ 44,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Fully Paid Ridgeway Wetlands, Pre-project Monitoring Cornwall Catchment Partnership 0 £ - £ 20,000 £ - £ 20,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Tamerton Foliot Stream Screen refurbishment PSO West 9 £ 2,556 £ 23,000 £ 23,002 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Fully Paid Mousehole: Tumble Tyn Flood Risk Improvements Cornwall Council 20 £ 3,750 £ 75,000 £ - £ - £ - £ 75,000 £ - £ - £ - Axminster Millbrook Devon County Council 161 £ 311 £ 50,000 £ 50,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Fully Paid Bampton Scheme Upstream Improvements PSO East 75 £ 1,667 £ 125,000 £ - £ - £ - £ 125,000 £ - £ - £ - Bayards Cove IPP (Dartmouth) PSO East 19 £ 1,316 £ 25,000 £ - £ - £ - £ 25,000 £ - £ - £ - Bishops Tawton Flood Defence Scheme PSO East 34 £ 1,765 £ 60,000 £ 60,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Fully Paid Braunton Flood Improvements Devon County Council 70 £ 429 £ 30,000 £ 30,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Fully Paid Clyst St Mary Flood Defence Improvements PSO East 50 £ 6,400 £ 320,000 £ 11,782 £ 88,000 £ 220,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - Colaton Raleigh Flood Improvements Devon County Council 20 £ 1,500 £ 30,000 £ - £ - £ 30,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - Combe Martin Fluvial Flood Alleviation Scheme PSO East 35 £ 714 £ 25,000 £ - £ 25,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Combeinteignhead, Shaldon Floods 2012 Remedial Works - Culvert Replacement Teignbridge District Council 15 £ 2,000 £ 30,000 £ - £ 30,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Corry & Coly NFM Devon County Council 21 £ 2,381 £ 50,000 £ 10,000 £ 40,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - and Exmouth Beach Management Scheme PSO East 2281 £ 66 £ 150,000 £ 149,673 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Fully Paid Devon and Cornwall RMA Coastal Asset Management Review Teignbridge District Council 0 £ - £ 400,000 £ 360,000 £ 40,000 £ - £ - Devon County Council PLR (2018-2019) Devon County Council 25 £ 800 £ 20,000 £ 20,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Fully Paid Devon County Council PLR (2019-2020) Devon County Council 25 £ 800 £ 20,000 £ 20,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Fully Paid Devon County Council PLR (2020-2021) Devon County Council 25 £ 800 £ 20,000 £ - £ - £ 20,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - Devon County Council PLR 2021-2027 [ROLLING LINE] Devon County Council 120 £ 667 £ 80,000 £ - £ - £ - £ 20,000 £ 20,000 £ 20,000 £ 20,000 East Devon Soils Project PSO East 0 £ - £ 5,000 £ - £ 5,000 £ - £ - Exeter Flood Surface Water Improvements Devon County Council 55 £ 1,818 £ 100,000 £ 15,000 £ 85,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Horsey Island PSO East 0 £ - £ 15,000 £ - £ 15,000 Devon Ilfracombe Sea PSO East 8 £ 2,875 £ 23,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ 23,000 £ - Kingsbridge Flood Improvements PSO East 100 £ 500 £ 50,000 £ - £ - £ - £ 50,000 £ - £ - £ - Lympstone NFM (Soil Study) PSO East 0 £ - £ 10,000 £ - £ 10,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Metcombe PSO East 10 £ 2,000 £ 20,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Modbury Flood Improvements Devon County Council 50 £ 2,000 £ 100,000 £ 100,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Fully Paid New Feniton Flood Alleviation Scheme East Devon District Council 63 £ 3,175 £ 200,000 £ 100,000 £ 100,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Pound Square, PLR Devon County Council 15 £ 2,000 £ 30,000 £ - £ 30,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Seaton Estuary Improvements (DC5) PSO East 62 £ 2,419 £ 150,000 £ 11,568 £ 36,000 £ - £ 102,000 Sidmouth Surface Water Flood Improvement scheme Devon County Council 100 £ 300 £ 30,000 £ - £ 30,000 £ - £ - South Molton Flood Risk Improvements PSO East 216 £ 208 £ 45,000 £ 4,000 £ 41,000 £ - £ - South Pool. PLR Devon County Council 10 £ 2,500 £ 25,000 £ - £ 25,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Stibbs Lane, Ivybridge Devon County Council 50 £ 2,000 £ 100,000 £ 15,000 £ 85,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Stokeinteignhead 2012 - Remedial Works/ Flood Improvements Devon County Council 40 £ 3,750 £ 150,000 £ - £ 75,000 £ 75,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - Teignmouth Beach Management Plan Devon County Council 0 £ - £ 155,000 £ - £ 15,000 £ 130,000 £ 5,000 £ 5,000 £ - £ - Topsham Tidal Defence and PLR Exeter City Council 61 £ 820 £ 50,000 £ - £ 50,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Totnes Flood Defence Improvements PSO East 202 £ 1,040 £ 210,000 £ 209,920 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Fully Paid Ugborough Surface water Devon County Council 15 £ 30,000 £ - £ - £ 30,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - Uplyme Flood Resilience Scheme Devon County Council 10 £ 3,000 £ 30,000 £ 30,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Fully Paid Whimple Flood Defence Improvements East Devon District Council 33 £ 2,091 £ 69,000 £ 2,820 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Wrafton Flood Defence Scheme PSO East 34 £ 2,206 £ 75,000 £ - £ 25,000 £ - £ 50,000 £ - £ - £ - Isles of Scilly Flood/erosion improvements in IoS Isles of Scilly TBC TBC £ 15,000 £ - £ 15,000 £ - £ - Colebrook Flood Risk Management Scheme Plymouth City Council 0 £ - £ 250,000 £ 250,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Fully Paid Dean Cross IUDM Flood Alleviation Scheme, Plymstock Plymouth City Council 15 £ 18,400 £ 276,000 £ 276,000 £ - £ - £ - Fully Paid Flood Recovery Project 2012 Honicknowle Lane, Plymouth, New trash screen and headwall Plymouth City Council 13 £ 1,077 £ 14,000 £ 14,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Fully Paid Plymouth Lipson Vale, Trefusis Park Phase 1 (SWW IUDM) Plymouth City Council 95 £ 568 £ 54,000 £ - £ - £ 54,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - Flood Recovery Project 2012 Longbrook Street IUDM scheme, Plympton, Plymouth, watercourse capacityPlymouth improvements City Council 5 £ 24,000 £ 120,000 £ - £ 120,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Stoggy Lane Culvert Improvements Plymouth City Council 17 £ 2,000 £ 34,000 £ 34,000 £ - £ - £ - Fully Paid Plymouth, Barbican, West Pier repointing (Phase 1 works) Plymouth City Council 84 £ 1,786 £ 150,000 £ - £ - £ 150,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - Collaton St Mary Flood Alleviation Scheme Torbay Council 22 £ 2,273 £ 50,000 £ - £ 50,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - Torbay Paignton Seafront Torbay Council 88 £ 5,682 £ 500,000 £ - £ - £ 200,000 £ 300,000 £ - £ - £ - River Fleet Flood Alleviation Scheme Torbay Council 498 £ 1,004 £ 500,000 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ 500,000 £ - £ - LA - Beach Management Plan Strategic Prog 0 £ - £ 40,000 £ - £ - £ - £ 40,000 £ - £ - £ - Devon and Cornwall Floods Recovery 2012 Environment Agency 0 TOTAL£ - £ 1,540,464 £ 1,540,464 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - 6662 EXPENDITURE (£) £ 8,220,820 £ 4,372,426 £ 1,458,640 £ 1,439,640 £ 920,000 £ 548,000 £ 43,000 £ 20,000

Local Levy Pot 2019/2020 2020/2021 2021/2022 2022/2023 2023/2024 2024/2025 Balances (Year 5) (Year 6) (Year 7) (Year 8) (Year 9) (Year 10) Opening Balance £ 1,542,310 £ 1,003,128 £ 553,435 £ 699,381 £ 1,253,846 £ 2,340,360 Income Contribution £ 1,274,458 £ 1,299,947 £ 1,325,946 £ 1,352,465 £ 1,379,514 £ 1,407,104 Based on 2% Capital Expenditure £ 1,458,640 £ 1,439,640 £ 920,000 £ 548,000 £ 43,000 £ 20,000 Revenue Expenditure £ 355,000 £ 310,000 £ 260,000 £ 250,000 £ 250,000 £ 250,000 Closing Balance £ 1,003,128 £ 553,435 £ 699,381 £ 1,253,846 £ 2,340,360 £ 3,477,464 New Bids £ 458,000 £ 50,000 £ 25,000 £ - £ - £ - New opening balance if new bids approved £ 1,542,310 £ 545,128 £ 45,435 £ 166,381 £ 720,846 £ 1,807,360 Balance if new bids approved £ 545,128 £ 45,435 £ 166,381 £ 720,846 £ 1,807,360 £ 2,944,464 Item 6 SWRFCC/19/37 Appendix B

Appendix B- Muddy Floods request for additional Local Levy Support

Project Summary

The 50k Local Levy contribution for 2019/20 will part fund: The East Devon Axe Focus Area Project. The North Devon Focus Area Project The Cornwall Marazion Focus Area Project.

The Focus Area Projects were started in 2017/18 and aimed to address land use management that had the potential to cause muddy floods and diffuse pollution. They were fully funded by Water Environment Investment Fund (WEIF) in 2017/18. The work in 2018/19 was mostly funded by Local Levy as no WEF funding was available. This proposal is to split the final year contribution between local levy and WEIF.

In the 2018/2019 the project delivered over 200 farm visits in the Axe, in North Devon and in Marazion focus areas. The visits have resulted in direct investment in on farm infrastructure totalling an estimated £780,000 and a further £2.8 million of infrastructure investment through Catchment Sensitive Farming. This investment has targeted the principal causes of muddy flooding including: soil compaction as a result of inappropriate spreading and storage of dairy slurry.

At the end of this three year pilot we will then review the effectiveness of the approaches in each focus area.

Finance Breakdown

Year Pre-2018/19 2018/19 2019/20 Total WEIF £75,000 £5,000 £55,000 £135,000 Local Levy already allocated to the project (if applicable) (£) £50,000 £50,000 Local Levy being requested (£) £50,000 £50,000

Previous Local Levy allocated (if applicable): £50,000 Total amount being requested: £50,000

Outcomes & Delivery

In East Devon muddy flooding and environmental quality (including the Water Framework Directive status) are principally driven by the intensive dairy farming across the catchment. Maize growing, slurry spreading and high stocking rates are giving rise to soil compaction. Soil compaction generates higher levels of run off during rainfall events and as a result give rise to flood risk for homes and infrastructure and deteriorating water quality.

Funding for 2019/20 will secure a further 60 visits and continue to deliver against the causes of muddy flooding.

20.06.2019

South West Regional Flood & Coastal Committee

In North Devon farm visits providing advice on reducing muddy flood and pollution are being carried out by Land and Water Team. As well as advice, measures being delivered by Focus Area partnership project grants include new hedge banks along the contours, wider buffer strips, soil amelioration, innovative means of excluding stock exclusion from rivers, larger swales and wetlands, “leaky dams” and riverside woodland planting.

In West Cornwall the Land and Water Team has been very proactive in trialling silt fencing, under- sowing bulb fields, trialling the use of coir rolls as a ‘sticking plaster’ when run off occurs. With EA advice farmers have also undertaken works to level out tracks, putting in a series of silt traps through a CSF grant, moving gateways and reinstating field boundaries.

Nearly all the improvements on farms take time as farmers need to carry out the work in the drier summer months and also they need time to co- finance this work and apply for grants.

Follow up visits are essential to ensure the work is completed satisfactorily. This final year of these projects is crucial to the overall success of the work. Item 6 SWRFCC/19/37 Appendix C

Briefing Note for Local Levy Requests Appendix C- Torcross and Slapton Line Coastal Adaptation Plan Project Summary Over recent years a succession of significant storm events have accelerated the need for maintenance, improvements and adaptation of defences and infrastructure across Devon, Cornwall and the Isle of Scilly (DCIS). Along the A379 Slapton Line and at Torcross in particular these events have accelerated the need for adaptation beyond what was previously predicted and therefore the existing management strategy needs to be reviewed and a plan developed to identify and implement the changes required. The currently proposed changes to management policy, from ‘retreating the road’ to ‘no further retreat’ (ie no further intervention) will have a significant impact on road users and local communities. The sustainability of Torcross flood defences and community infrastructure also needs to be reviewed. Any changes, including the communication of proposed changes, will need to be managed through a detailed adaptation plan. Local Levy funding is required to employ an Adaptation Manager. Funding for this role through other sources, including a recent Interreg bid, is unlikely and will not meet timescales required. This post will be hosted by South Devon AONB working in partnership through the Slapton Line Partnership, communities and stakeholders. The role is to develop and communicate this Adaptation Plan to identify and implement measures and Coastal Change Management Area (CCMA) guidance relating to predicted coastal change management at Torcross and along A379 road; community engagement; tourism and business opportunities and adaptation; road signage and access; car parking and transport planning; education opportunities; identifying funding opportunities to implement change.

As one of the first sites across DCIS urgently needing to adapt to coastal change, this project and outputs can be used as a template for others vulnerable site where adaptation is needed.

Lead Risk Management Authority: District Council; post hosted by South Devon AONB

01.08.2019

South West Regional Flood & Coastal Committee

Briefing Note for Local Levy Requests Finance Breakdown

Year Pre-2018/19 19/20 20/21 21/22 22/23

Local Levy previously allocated to the project (£)

(if applicable)

Local Levy being requested £50,000 £25,000 (£)

Total additional amount being requested: £75,000

Raw PF Score: N/A

Total amount of FDGiA eligible for (if applicable): N/A

Other contributions secured, incl Devon County Council: £30,000 South Hams District Council: £30,000 Slapton Line Partnership: £15,000

Other Contributions Total: £75,000

Outcomes & Delivery Specific OM numbers would not be attached to this project, but the investment would help reduce costs of inappropriate development, potential delay in implementing change and backlash from communities if not involved and communicated to effectively.

Key deliverables include:

 Torcross and Slapton Line Adaptation Plan and CCMA

 Guidance for practitioners in coastal planning

 Funding strategy to implement change

Forecast Delivery Date (GW4): April 2022

01.08.2019 Item 6 SWRFCC/19/37 Appendix D

Briefing Note for Local Levy Requests Appendix D- South West Climate Champion Signs Project Summary The 25 Year Environment Plan states that 2019 will be the Year of Green Action, and the new national FCERM strategy promotes creating a nation of Climate Champions. This proposal hopes to merge both of these aims to use this year’s environmental focus and to raise awareness of climate change impact by placing signs in public spaces around the area. The signs will depict predicted sea level increases with the hope they will act in a similar way to the Wallace & Gromit statue competitions that have taken place in Bristol whereby people try and ‘collect’ signs and post them on social media. It is proposed that a prize is given to the person who has ‘collected’ the most by the end of the project as a ‘climate champion’. An indicative mock-up of the signs is shown below. These would then direct people to where they could find more information on climate change using the QR code. The sites these are deployed at also have the potential to be used for part of PCO’s CoastSnap initiative, encouraging members of the public with smart phones to capture fixed point photography that will be useful in evaluating coastal change and project development. This is already under test at Wembury. It is proposed that each site could consist of a sign and a CoastSnap smartphone mount at relatively small cost, spread around the area to raise awareness of climate change issues and engage the public in gathering and analysis of coastal data. Lead Risk Management Authority: Environment Agency

Finance Breakdown

Year Pre-2018/19 19/20 20/21 21/22 22/23

Local Levy being £15,000 requested (£)

01.08.2019 Item 8 SWRFCC/19/38

Environment Agency – Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

South West Regional Flood & Coastal Committee

Subject: Devon and Cornwall Coastal Communities Assessments

The Devon and Cornwall Coastal Communities project is the second phase of work following Phase A: Coastal Review, which was completed in 2015. This 2015 work undertook a review of the state of the South West Coastal flood risk areas, covering 307 communities across both the Wessex and Devon and Cornwall Environment Agency Areas.

This Coastal Communities project covers Devon and Cornwall. These counties have numerous coastal communities of varying size from larger urban centres (Exmouth, Torbay and Penzance) to small isolated settlements (Porth Navas, Durgan and Helford).

The 2015 work determined the most ‘at risk’ areas within this part of the country based on several factors, including: critical infrastructure, the state of flood defences (formal and de-facto), and risk to extreme events.

Prior to the Coastal Communities Project, the risk to coastal communities was not clearly understood, as such the EA, on behalf of all RMAs choose to invest in this work to better understand risk and how it could be pragmatically managed. This work quantified the current flood risk for coastal communities within Devon and Cornwall. The purpose of this work is to inform why, what, where and when intervention is required.

This work has enabled the development of detailed pipeline entries in the Medium Term Plan. The project will assist the Environment Agency deliver the management intent of the Shoreline Management Plan in the longer term; whilst in the short-term providing a series of ‘off the shelf’ plans that may be adopted in an event causing impacts on a community.

Details of the review were compiled in a short summary that provided clear, easy access to information such as: Standard of Protection, changes in risk, local plan, existing assets, and practical risk management options. An example of a coastal community assessment is provided below. The methodology and background will be expanded on during the SWRFCC presentation.

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Item 10b SWRFCC/19/39

Report of South West Water as Water and Utility Companies Representative to the SWRFCC and Risk Management Authority under the FWMA – October 2019

1.0 Introduction

Under the Flood and Water Management Act, 2010 (FWMA), SWW is a Risk Management Authority (RMA). Water and Sewerage Companies are responsible for managing the risks of flooding from water and foul or combined sewer systems providing drainage from buildings and yards.

2.0 Downstream Thinking

Downstream Thinking (DST) is SWW’s catchment-based approach to alleviating sewer flooding from our wastewater networks and reducing pollution of watercourses through softer engineering and partnership collaboration. It is an ambitious long-term approach, to achieve both the best outcomes for customers in the short term and support our longer term goals by applying the principles of holistic catchment management.

Our sewer network is in most places a ‘combined system’, taking both surface water and foul flows. This network is increasingly being inundated by stormwater from the catchment. Downstream Thinking incorporates a range of activities and innovative pilots to provide system Resilience.

What are the advantages of the Downstream Thinking approach? Through continued liaison with internal and external partners to develop collaborative scopes, we can design holistic long-term solutions to address the cause or source of the problem rather than just treat the symptom.

SuDS work with nature to hold back water and prevent flooding. Very quickly after they are constructed they just look like part of the landscape. But they bring many additional advantages: they can be a haven for wildlife and boost biodiversity, or they can be an addition to a play area. Research shows that they boost the green appeal of urban neighbourhoods which enhances wellbeing and health.

3.0 Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans

• Defra consulted on making DWMPs statutory and the large majority of responses supported the proposal to make DWMPs statutory although it was recognised that further work was required on detail • We are hosting a Workshop following the Chairman’s suggestion that SWW officers work with RMA officers to develop a proposal, on the basis an agreement can be reached, which can be presented at the October committee meeting. • The work will build on the success of the current Downstream Thinking and Sewerage programmes and, in collaboration with stakeholders and consultees, the first iteration of studies will be completed by end 2022. • SWW is currently establishing a team to deliver the DWMPs – and this is likely to consist of a combination of in-house and consultant resources. We are also developing a paper on the preferred delivery

model option, following the paper presented at the October Meeting • This will be a key source of information for our 2025-2030 investment plans for drainage and wastewater investment plans and for ensuring we are on target to meet our longer term goals for 2050.

4.0 Progress of some Key Collaborative Flood Improvement Projects by SWW

Plymouth IUMD – Flooding and Pollution SWW have been working with the EA and PCC to develop the IUDM Options linked to Flooding and Pollutions in Plymouth. Those outside of the BW Solutions are being developed into collaborative solutions with the other RMAs under DST and have been identified on the EA’s MTP. These include locations such as Pomphlett Road, Lipson Laira and Fellows Place, the Western Approach to Millbay Strategic Pipe and Longbrook Road, which have suffered from chronic flooding.

The Plymouth IUDM Phase 3 – Option Review Progress Meeting is taking place on 24/09/19 for key locations across Plymouth. We continue to work towards detailed costed options completion. This has allowed some schemes to be progressed in AMP6 and others to be included in the PR19 Business Plan (for AMP7 2020-2025). Page 1 of 3

Item 10b SWRFCC/19/39

Phase 1 of the Road Scheme is in Detail Design for Construction in 2019/20. A Draft EA business case report has been developed with results of the modelling with Climate Change allowance, including number of properties at risk of flooding, flooding from manholes and summary of property flood damage. Ronsdale Close and Pomphlett Road scheme is being delivered using tri-partite funding. The full scheme will provide sewer network improvements to remove 13 properties from the DG5 at risk register and to provide increased resilience to the combined sewer network through the generation of increased headroom. The scheme will also deliver the benefits realised by the project partners (the EA and PCC) of reduced localised surface water flooding, highway flooding and environmental enhancements to the intertidal mud flats.

The IUDM work is progressing in close liaison with the EU Interreg Water Resilient Cities (WRC) Project and the Better Places Plymouth Project to identify any synergies and overlaps.

Torquay IUDM – Update An IUDM has been developed for . This study concentrates on the River Fleet catchment upstream of Fleet Walk. The River Fleet has been partially culverted in the upper catchment and then joins the SWW combined sewer network downstream of Hele Tank. The culverts have been modelled as their capacity affects flows in the sewer towards the main flooding areas in the town centre. In addition, consideration of the potential impacts of climate change and maintaining the levels of service is necessary, especially within sensitive areas such as Torbay where shellfish waters and bathing waters can be affected.

Based on information currently available it is believed that the integrated 1D-2D model is a suitable tool for addressing pluvial and fluvial flood risk and mitigation options in the River Fleet catchment upstream of Fleet Street, Torquay. The IUDM produced as part of this study confirms flood risk and the likely flooding mechanism in Torquay. Numerous options for flood reduction and mitigation have been considered individually and in combination. No single option has been found to remove flood risk however combinations of options can achieve this.

A site visit was undertaken with Torbay Council and Strategic Designs have been developed for 3 proposed/agreed 1 in 75 year (1.33% AEP) options to reduce flood risk in the Town Centre. These are all complex schemes and it hasn’t been possible to assess all the engineering details / risks with these schemes yet, but there is enough detail for our cost consultants to put high level cost estimates together. We will then arrange another meeting with Torbay Council to agree the way forward.

Falmouth IUDM - Update The IUDM developed for the Prince of Wales area of Falmouth (POWP) is concentrated on the catchment area draining to the Prince of Wales Pier area, but includes the wider catchment 1D model to accurately predict surcharge levels and system performance in the tunnel system conveying combined sewage flows from this area to the terminal sewage pumping station (SPS) at Falmouth STW. Phase 3b is developing the solutions further, taking on board comments from all the various stakeholders and looking to reduce flood risk particularly in the Market Strand / Prince of Wales Pier area to acceptable levels. These options will be developed considering constructability and any other constraints / risks associated with ground conditions and other environmental issues.

As part of local Flood Risk Management Strategy, Cornwall Council has identified Penryn as a priority community. In addition, the lower part of Penryn is located within a Critical Drainage Area based on numerous records of flooding and where tide levels constrain fluvial and surface water discharges. The purpose of this study will be to understand the flood risk to properties and the public highway in the Penryn catchment area. Following completion of Phase 1 of the Penryn EA Fluvial Modelling and recent stakeholder meetings, work is underway to complete the Penryn IUDM Phase 2 work. There is a proposal to deploy a number the temporary gauges in the river to help verify the flows being generated in the model.

Kingsbridge IUDM - Update Kingsbridge is a complicated catchment with a long history of Flooding. There are a lot of cross connections, unknowns and issues which is why no Risk Management Authority (RMA) has been able to resolve the issues in isolation. In Partnership with DCC and the EA, SWW is leading on an Integrated Urban Drainage Modelling (IUDM) Study.

Kingsbridge IUDM Phase 2 - Agreement was reached on the use of the JBA hydrology report as an input to the next stage of modelling activities and approval for the scenarios to be used was agreed. The updated sets of modelling results were released at the end of July. This was then followed by a site meeting in August to discuss the proposed options for the project. Page 2 of 3

Item 10b SWRFCC/19/39

The next meeting is to be arranged, the objective of the meeting would be to sign off on the model results and to consider design options.

Exmouth DST - Update Using the IUDM developed by SWW in AMP5, SWW and DCC have collaboratively been exploring opportunities to resolve Surface Water Flooding, Sewer Flooding and Pollution in the catchment. There has also been close liaison with EDDC and the EA around the Tidal Defence Improvements work to ensure that works are considered holistically and any synergies and overlaps are identified.

The latest scheme under the Exmouth DST Programme has been completed at Regents Gate and is surrounded by chestnut fencing, whilst the plants become established. This scheme has been designed to complement the green space in which it is located and SWW have been specifically focused on soft engineering techniques to reduce a sewer flooding issue downstream.

Additionally, around 30 houses in Phillipps Avenue, Orchard Close, Green Close and Bassetts Gardens have had special water butts or underground tanks installed at their homes. The post event monitoring has now been in for a year and is providing some encouraging outputs.

We also installed a 15,000 litre tank at the St Joseph’s School to store rainwater collected from the roof. The water is then treated and pumped into the toilet block where it is used to flush the toilets, reducing the school’s use of tap water. Children at the school took part in the project by designing their own rainwater re-use features during special water-themed workshops. The downpipe features now installed outside their classrooms were based on pupils’ drawings for rainwater re-use.

5.0 Resilience in Extreme Conditions and contributions to Flood Defence

Resilience is a duty and we need to provide a resilient service to our customers at times of extreme weather conditions such as drought and flooding and other disruptive events which can challenge our ability to provide a 24/7 resilient service. Having an extensive and robust resilience business plan is essential for AMP7 and beyond.

Our AMP6 programme has emphasis on investigations and planning, collaborative work in accordance with FWMA 2010, and flood protection for one of our largest sites; Countess Wear wastewater treatment works.

The EA intends to carry out the Flood Risk Management Works at Calstock, and SWW has agreed to pay a contribution towards those works. The Flood Risk Management Works comprise of a flood bank which protects the local community. Additionally The Flood Risk Management Works will reduce Flood Risk to the vulnerable Sewage Treatment Works thus providing Resilience protection to this critical infrastructure.

We developed for PR19; the Wastewater Resilience Strategy which is aligned with Ofwat’s Resilience Duty. We have also implemented the new methodology for the Shadow Reporting ODI – Risk of Sewer Flooding. This measure is the percentage of the population served at risk of experiencing sewer flooding in a 1:50 storm event.

Throughout AMP7 we propose to fulfil the primary resilience duty. Ofwat has listed Resilience as one of their four key objectives for companies in PR19 and expressed its importance within the PR19 Methodology. This investment targets our highest flooding risks and improved protection of our wastewater systems from disruptive events to best manage our services to customers in a changing environment.

In preparation for AMP7, baseline assessments have been undertaken to identify hazards and threats to service delivery. These will inform our Response Recovery Plans, to be developed throughout AMP7 and beyond, which will improve preparedness to recovery from extreme events.

Richard Behan - Flood Risk Manager, SWW BSc (Hons), MSc, MCIWEM, C.WEM, C.Sci, C.Env

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Item 11 SWRFCC/19/40

Appendix A – Cornwall Community Flood Forum Quarter 5 Report

Environment Agency - Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

South West Regional Flood & Coastal Committee

Paper By: Area Flood & Coastal Risk Manager

Subject: Area Flood & Coastal Risk Manager's Report

RECOMMENDATION

The committee is asked to:

1) Note the content of the report and the work undertaken on behalf of the committee to reduce flood and coastal risk

1. Incident Response

1.1. Flood Warnings Issued

Activity for the period 3rd May to 2nd August is shown below.

Cornwall Cornwall Devon Devon Total Tidal Fluvial Tidal Fluvial Flood Alert 1 0 1 3 5 Flood Warning 0 0 0 0 0 Severe Flood 0 0 0 0 0 Warning Pilot Warnings 0 12 0 0 12 & Alerts Gate Closures 23 0 0 4 27

1.2. Flood Incidents

There have been no notable Tidal or Fluvial flood incidents to report for this period.

1.3. Flood Resilience & Incident Preparedness

1.3.1. Cornwall Community Flood Forum SWRFCC’s local levy contribution is helping Cornwall Community Flood Forum (CCFF) to extend its reach, to: - Raise awareness about current and future flood risk to communities, businesses and schools

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- Assist communities in preparing for flooding and facilitating post flood recovery - Lead community flood warden training for communities at risk in Cornwall - Collaborate, form partnerships and share experience and knowledge with others to continue to develop the learning about community flood resilience

CCFF’s new website launched this summer, which is more accessible and features updated resources: http://www.cornwallcommunityfloodforum.org.uk/

Their new website lends itself to the kind of easy, accessible interaction CCFF want to offer to local flood group members. It provides an online platform where members can access and download training resources, as well as stay up to date and comment on any strategic developments. The new site and blogs will provide CCFF with a higher profile to reach more potential members across Cornwall. CCFF has seen an increase in social media followers and interaction with feed content as a result.

Meanwhile, CCFF have collaborated with a representative from ’s flood group on Property Flood Resilience (PFR), who has supplied two PFR graphics for CCFF’s website1. This will be an extremely helpful resource as most of CCFF’s customer enquiries relate to PFR.

CCFF members were treated to a beaver field trip2 at Woodland Valley Farm in July, to support customers’ understanding and awareness of natural flood management techniques and the benefits of working with natural processes. The day began with a short film, which you can view

here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C211b0nTwro

CCFF met with Parish Council throughout July and August to help them start the process of writing their Community Flood Plan, in collaboration with Kate Pearson (Environment Agency). The Parish Council have confirmed they have all of the information and templates required to draft their Community Emergency Plan, which will include actions for flooding.

CCFF have continued their collaboration with the Big Lottery funded Communities Prepared project’s second phase, which will continue to develop materials and a delivery model for wider flood warden training resources. Consultation with the team was made to prepare for a new round of training delivery in Cambridgeshire.

1 http://www.cornwallcommunityfloodforum.org.uk/support-for-householders/ 2 http://www.cornwallcommunityfloodforum.org.uk/news/beaver-field-trip/

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It’s been another very productive period for CCFF. Appendix A provides an audit trail of what’s being achieved with your local levy contribution. The future continues to look positive too. CCFF is delighted to announce that it will be a delivery partner in the DEFRA funded project ‘Boosting action to make homes and buildings more resilient to floods’. Led by Cornwall Council, it is one of only three successful bids nationwide which looks to inspire change and promote the new Property Flood Resilience (PFR) framework. This will also allow the permanent officer to undertake full-time employment and, therefore, engage with more communities across SWRFCC’s area.

Progress has been made in planning for CCFF’s annual conference, which will take place at St John’s Hall, Penzance on 4 November 2019. Save the date in your diaries and we’ll share an invitation with you shortly.

Due to the success of the March flood volunteer training workshops, CCFF have commenced planning on three further workshops in September. Working closely with Cornwall Council and Environment Agency, these will be held in the east, mid and west of Cornwall to ensure we reach as many members and interested communities as possible: • Tuesday 24th September- St Pirans Hall, • Wednesday 25th September- Tremayne Community Centre, Mylor • Saturday 28th September- ‘One for All’ Community Centre,

1.3.2. Devon Community Resilience Forum Devon Community Resilience Forum is a multi-agency collaboration between Risk Management Authorities and Emergency Responders, with an overarching aim to support communities in preparing their own Community Emergency Plans. SWRFCC’s local levy contribution is helping Devon Community Resilience Forum to extend its reach, so that many more communities know how to stay safe and minimise damage during incidents such as flooding. Measures include:

• Publicity and promotion of community resilience issues and solutions, including a website that signposts tools, guidance and resources • Two Devon Community Resilience Forum events each year • Direct support to help towns and parishes to start and progress Community Emergency Plans Page 3 of 36

• Facilitating opportunities for peer-to-peer knowledge exchange between communities

2019’s first Devon Community Resilience Forum event was hosted at Bishops Nympton’s beautiful Village Hall on 13 June. Despite being in a remote location to place us closer to priority communities at a high risk of flooding in North Devon, the event succeeded to attract over 60 individual from 31 communities across the entire county. Presentations and areas covered included: • Understanding the Met Office public forecasting and warning service (Penny Tranter, Met Office) • An exceptional community case study presentation, by Parish Council • Helping vulnerable people; dos and don'ts (Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service) • Severe Weather Incident Reporting (Martin Hutchings, Devon County Council) • Tools for local understanding and buy-in about the need for community resilience (Environment Agency & Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service)

The event was well received with overwhelmingly positive feedback. All attendees rated the event as good or excellent and all stated that their objectives in attending were met, either, “to a great extent,” or “fully!” Attendees particularly praised the relevant mix of presentations, from which many commented on the extent to which they learned valuable, useful, new information. Our customers would like future events to include a presentation around a past real life emergency event involving a Community Emergency Plan and how this played out; information from relevant NHS services both in terms of an emergency and how local GP surgeries may work with Community Emergency Response Teams and more practical plan content information. Planning ahead to the second forum event for 2019, we will consider how to target and engage communities that have not yet attended a forum event, so that we’re maximising our impact.

In the meantime, Martin Rich (Project Officer, Devon Community Resilience Forum) has contacted 41 communities at a high risk of flooding to offer encouragement and assistance in developing Community Emergency Plans. The response has been positive and consequently he has provided direct, face-to-face Community Emergency Plan support to Thorverton, Combe Martin, Lewdown (one plan covering four small parishes), Tipton St John, Lympstone and Sampford Courtney during the reporting period.

Willand has notified Devon Community Resilience Forum of their completed Community Emergency Plan. Exeter St Thomas and have shared their updated emergency plans too. These will be uploaded to a secure website where they can be viewed by the emergency services. This means that if there is an incident in their communities, emergency responders will be able to view their plan, understand how the community may already be responding, where there is high risk and what resource the community may have to assist their response. 48 Community Emergency Plans for parishes across Devon have been uploaded to this secure website since Devon Community Resilience Forum was launched.

1.3.3. Environment Agency Flood Resilience Engagement

Our flood resilience engagement materials for children and young people have inspired colleagues’ with children to volunteer to undertake their own flood awareness

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workshops at local primary schools in and , helping our team to maximise its reach and deliver positive results through others.

This, coupled with the positive impact of collaborating with Cornwall Community Flood Forum and Devon Community Resilience Forum has enabled our Flood Resilience team to prioritise our engagement resources towards: • Rapid Response Catchment communities, where the local geography and steep landscape poses a risk of rapid onset, dangerous flash flooding. • Communities benefiting from capital projects on our current Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management programme, because these are our SWRFCC’s high priority projects and we need to prioritise our resources to ensure they are successfully delivered.

Figure 1: Environment Agency Flash Flood Awareness Campaign For example, the Environment Agency undertook a flash flood awareness campaign at West Buckland in South Devon and are currently planning for forthcoming flash flood awareness campaigns in collaboration with parish councils at Beer, Sidbury and Perranporth.

“We’re very pleased to host this event and raise awareness in the community.” (Tatiana, Clerk to Perranzabuloe Parish Council)

Where our colleagues in the Partnership & Strategic Overview and Asset Performance Teams are leading on engagement for capital schemes and maintenance respectively, our Flood Resilence team are supporting them with complimentary flood resilience advice. For example, at Exmouth, Mousehole, Clyst St Mary and Polperro.

The Flood Resilience team has continued to provide direct, targeted support to help community flood action groups progress their efforts at Beer, Ide, Topsham, East Budleigh, Perranporth and Yealmpton, assisting them with developing their existing Page 5 of 36

emergency arrangements and understanding their flood forecasting and warning options.

The Flood Resilience team have directly encouraged all community flood action groups across SWRFCC’s area to view and respond to the Environment Agency’s consultation on the draft Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy, to help ensure it meets our customers’ needs.

The team have also helped professional partners to network with local flood groups, to ensure their projects take account of communities’ flood risk perceptions, needs and concerns too. For example, Devon Wildlife Trust’s River Otter Beaver Trial3 and Blackdown AONB’s Connecting the Culm4 project.

1.4. Duty Officer Training

The key Flood Warning Duty Officer Training deliverables this quarter have been:

1.4.1. New Duty Officers Three new duty officers have joined the Devon flood warning rota, one Flood Warning Duty Officer (FWDO) and two Assistant Flood Warning Duty Officers (FWDOs).

Training has been provided for the new FWDOs and AFWDOs that have joined the rotas, and was opened up to existing duty officers as a refresher. The Incident Management Academy provided generic training for the new FWDOs / AFWDOs, such as Introduction to Incident Management, Incident Room Familiarisation, and Strategic and Tactical Incident Management. Specific training was also provided on how to use and operate the Flood Warning System.

Additionally, our Duty Officers are now rostered past Christmas into the New Year, with double rostering in place over the two week Christmas and New Year period. We will also be changing duty handovers from Thursdays to Wednesdays in February 2020. This is so incoming duty staff have more time to prepare for potential incidents over weekends.

1.4.2. Flash flood forecasts and Cat Max alarms training In July, Kate Pearson from the Flood Resilience team led training for Duty Officers, so that they will be more confident in understanding Flash Flood Forecasts and Cat Max alarms. Flash Flood Forecasts have been developed as an early warning for significant, severe flooding that could occur very quickly. Although these kind of events are rare, they have the potential to escalate quickly, with little notice. Due to Cat Max - a new technique developed by Ollie Pollard in the Evidence and Risk team, the ability to forecast and detect localised extreme rainfall events can now be done. This is then used to trigger Flash Flood Forecasts. These techniques will increase flood warning coverage across some of Devon and Cornwall’s Rapid Response Catchments (RRCs). There are currently five pilot communities that benefit from flash flood forecasts; Ashburton, Exeter St Thomas, , Penryn, and . These particular communities are targeted because they are at very high or high risk of flash flooding, no flood warning service is currently available to them, and they are actively engaged in the process of developing Community Emergency Plans.

3 https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/what-we-do/our-projects/river-otter-beaver-trial 4 https://blackdownhillsaonb.org.uk/project/connecting-the-culm/ Page 6 of 36

1.4.3. Real-time Information training New and experienced Duty Officers were given training on how to add value to their flood warning messages. The Scripting Tool is used to help prepare good quality real time information within a message. This typically includes:

• what is currently happening (and what has already happened) • what is expected to happen (flooding related) • Time of expected flooding • Actions and advice on what to do • What we are doing to respond • Weather / tidal outlook

Duty Officers were able to practice writing real time information for issue on the Flood Warning System (FWS), and also practiced issuing messages on the FWS training site, using scenarios. This will help ensure our Duty Officers continue to deliver good quality, consistent messages to professional partners and communities.

1.5. Flood Warning System (FWS) improvements

1.5.1 The voice of FWS is changing We continue to improve the Flood Warning System (FWS) based on user feedback. We have developed an interface with Amazon Polly Text To Speech (TTS) which will both improve quality and reduce the costs compared with Vocaliser, our current TTS engine. We can confirm that the new voice of FWS is ‘Amy’ and say goodbye to the previous voice of ‘Moira’. Over the last month we have been checking Amy’s pronunciation of flood warning area names and locations across Devon and Cornwall. The go live is scheduled for October 2019.

1.5.2 Online registration improvements We have made several improvements to our online registration (OLR) pages used by users to register, maintain and cancel their flood warning accounts. These improvements are designed to aid users when inputting their information, and strengthen data validation to lower the amount of corrective work required for Areas, Digital Services and Floodline. Customers will now receive an email when they update their details online, prevent update emails and letters being sent to cancelled accounts, and remove the postcode search functionality from the Floodline IVR.

1.6. Google Public Alerts is now live During July, all Flood Alerts, Flood Warnings and Severe Flood Warnings will start to be published on the Google Public Alerts map. This is a platform for disseminating emergency messages for hazards or threats, and aims to provide citizens with timely and accurate information in order to make informed decisions during incidents. Sharing our flood alerts and warnings on Google public alerts aligns with our Flood Incident Management plan ambition to warn people based on their location. It will increase the reach of our flood warning service by ensuring vital warning information is more visible. Flood warnings will be more targeted to those who need it by using location based intelligence on the Google search platform.

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Figure 2: New Google Public Flood Alerts

1.7. Consistent Real Time Forecasting Models In conjunction with our new Flood Forecasting System, we now have a full suite of consistent fluvial real time forecasting models for all centres = over 750 models have been converted across the Environment Agency!

The benefits of this will; • deliver significant efficiencies in managing and maintaining our systems • ensure the continued quality of the flood forecasting service • allows interoperability of our Monitoring and Forecasting Duty Officers. • support future ambitions to improve the service and deliver the aspirations of the Flood Incident Management plan

2. Asset Management

2.1. Intermittent Asset Maintenance

2.1.1. Honiton Access to the Gissage watercourse in Honiton for maintenance is likely to be impeded in the near future due to local development. Therefore an access improvement project is being proposed. This will include the construction of a ramp into the watercourse to provide a safe means of access and egress to the channel to enable crucial maintenance such as desilting and joint repairs. Allocated funding for 2019/20 is being used for site investigation and design, construction will be delivered by the South Devon Field Operations team.

2.1.2. £48k of revenue was allocated to undertaking repairs to the River Mardle channel walls as it flows through Buckfastleigh, Devon. Replacement of lost stone, repointing and underpinning the most damaged sections of the wall ensure that it will remain stable under the wide range of flow conditions the channel is subjected to; this will reduce the likelihood of collapse and the potential for blockages of downstream infrastructure which would result in flooding to multiple properties. Works were complete by July 2019 ahead of the school holidays when the area would be busy and access/ compound site limited.

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Figure 3: River Mardle channel wall repairs

2.1.3. Highway Dam flood storage reservoir, St Blazey Field Operations West team have completed works at Highway Dam flood storage reservoir in St Blazey including fencing, desilting and headwall maintenance. The inlet structure was overgrown with vegetation and stones were washing out. Clearing the vegetation has enabled the headwall to be fully inspected and repointed. Over 50m of fencing has been replaced and silt removed from the Treffry within the flood storage area, allowing the channel to operate as originally designed.

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Figure 4: Before and after stone pitching repair and desilting at Highway Dam, St Blazey

2.1.4. berm, The berm beside the in Wadebridge has been re-profiled where it was previously narrow, undulating and eroding making it challenging for the ride on mower to track safely beside the river when undertaking routine maintenance. The reshaped berm means we can continue to access beside the river to maintain the flood defences.

Figure 5: Before and after re profiling the berm in Wadebridge

2.1.5. Tinhay wall repair Field Operations Central team are currently onsite in the at Tinhay to repair the flood wall. Trees growing out of the existing wall have resulted in the destabilisation of the wall. Asset performance is working closely with the Fishers, Biodiversity and Geomorphology team to manage the environmental impact and identify opportunities to enhance the environment whilst maintaining the assets.

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Figure 6: Tinhay Wall

2.2. Routine Maintenance

2.2.1. Devon The quarter 2 Devon routine maintenance programmes are largely complete, and the AIMS programme delivery is up to date.

The completed maintenance activities for quarter 2 include our Area grass cuts, which include both hand and machine cuts. Our maintenance activities have also included inspections of outfall flap valves which are assessed for damage, obstructions or malfunction and are repaired or replaced as necessary.

2.3. Report for Environment Agency Reservoirs

2.3.1. Devon After the Whaley Bridge Reservoir emergency near Manchester, the Environment Agency was asked to inspect its Category A Reservoirs and report back on their condition. Category A reservoirs are classified because they have the potential to cause loss of life downstream should they fail. These Reservoirs are Flood Storage reservoirs which fill during a flood event and limit flows downstream to vulnerable areas.

Resource was provided at very short notice by the Devon Asset Performance team and Field Teams and sites were visited and inspected. For the three Environment Agency owned Reservoirs in Devon, Kenwith Valley - Bideford, Holbeam Dam - Newton Abbot and Palmers Dam - Harbertonford only minor maintenance defects were observed with repair works currently being planned.

The Environment Agencies Category A Reservoir assets have the highest priority of all of our Flood Risk assets and are inspected annually by a Reservoir’s Panel Engineer and 10 yearly by an Reservoir Inspecting Engineer. Due to these inspections and recommendations, the risk of failure of these reservoirs is low. They were all built within the last 40 years with Holbeam being the earliest at 37 years old. Holbeam Dam is also the largest of the three holding approx. 85 million gallons of water when full.

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Figure 7: Kenwith Dam Figure 8: Holbeam Dam

Figure 9: Palmers Dam

3. Project Updates

3.1. Design & Appraisal Projects Update

3.1.1. Cornwall The package of Cornwall projects was formed to efficiently deliver business case appraisals. The package is getting close to completion with some projects on hold due to funding, and others still being delivered as part of the current 6 year programme. The details for the present stage of the projects are:

3.1.2. Foundry Square Project is currently on hold.

3.1.3. Hayle River Flood Bank Realignment Project will be on hold following the delivery of the Outline Business Case. This is due December 2019.

3.1.4. Paul Stream and Tumble Tyn Culvert & Mousehole The Project Team have completed the appraisal and has identified a preferred option to undertake capital improvement works to optimise the existing culvert capacity. The Project Team will also look to implement a programme of Property Flood Resilience (PFR) measures along streets where there will remain a risk of flooding where the culvert capacity is exceeded.

A public event was held on the 1st August to present the findings to the local community,

Page 12 of 36 and to initiate discussion around the requirement for PFR measures.

The next phase for the scheme is to initiate PFR surveys and agreement with property owners and to progress with detailed design of the civils improvements to the existing culvert system.

The project has received additional DEFRA funding to deliver the scheme.

Figure 10: Mousehole community event - 01/08/2019 Mousehole has been subjected to a number of flood events in recent history and a project has been underway to improve the culvert system in the village which conveys the Tumble Tyn and Paul Stream until their confluence before discharge into the harbour. To relieve the flow stresses on the system, part of the scheme will include Natural Flood Management (NFM) interventions in the upper catchment. A proportion of the wider project funding has been allocated to NFM.

Currently a study is being conducted into the possible locations and likely benefits of NFM. Also the Environment Agency project team has been engaging with local landowners and our partners to improve land management practices and to conduct studies into soil compaction issues across the upper catchment. Full construction is due to be complete by 2021 providing significant flood risk improvements to the catchment.

3.1.5. Tidal Newlyn Tidal has been successful in a bid for Interreg Funding to assist in the delivery of the scheme. The appraisal element has been completed, final documentation to be delivered. Currently reviewing strategy for moving the project forward with the Interreg Funding.

3.1.6. Newlyn Fluvial Project is currently on hold.

3.1.7. Penzance and Harbour Tidal Due to the funding gap for the preferred option, a summary report has been produced. We are currently engaging with Cornwall Council with regards to the future development Page 13 of 36

of the Penzance Prom, which would allow the project to continue. This project is now on hold.

3.1.8. Fowey This project is on hold due to a funding gap and the Town Council identifying doubt that a new wall would be acceptable.

3.1.9. Mevagissey Fluvial Project has commenced with modelling work to investigate options to reduce fluvial and surface water flood impact. An understanding of the system as a whole is required to determine what scale of overall improvements are required, in particular what an upgrade to the Chapel Square culvert might provide. South West Water CCTV survey results have been incorporated into the model, which is currently being reviewed with high level economics output to determine next steps.

3.1.10. Portreath FAS Portreath FAS has received an additional £1.5mil funding through the DEFRA Depravation funding to assist the delivery of the scheme. The preferred option for the scheme is currently looking at upper catchment storage reservoirs as opposed to solutions within Portreath itself. The upper catchment storage solution locations are currently being reviewed, landowner discussions are ongoing and initial ecology surveys undertaken. The Outline Business Case is currently due to be delivered late autumn 2019.

3.1.11. Tinhay Scheme Refurbishment Project has been delivered and is waiting closure.

3.1.12. Flood Defence The preferred option has been reviewed in light of concern over the current condition of the asset. The appraisal will be completed for the river restoration and preferred option. On completion of the appraisal, the project will be on hold.

3.1.13. Calstock (River Tamar) The primary objective of this project is to appraise the flood risk management of the River Tamar at Calstock. There are residential properties and critical infrastructure at risk of tidal or combined tidal/fluvial flooding. The project has potential to provide circa 11Ha of environmental benefits through inter-tidal habitat creation. Calstock has now received planning permission and a contract for construction has been awarded. Construction is due to start in September with progress dependant on weather conditions.

3.1.14. River Camel Restoration The primary objective is to appraise removal of physical modifications on the River Camel to improve geomorphology and habitat and implement the agreed plan to restoring the SSSI. The EA will concentrate on delivery of its (3 no.) assets while partners will deliver the remaining. At Grogley GS, we are working with Forestry England to improve the habitat on their land. The design work is being procured through the new NGSA CDF and expected to commence imminently. A business case is planned for delivery late 2019 with construction planned for 2020-21.

At De Lank GS, fish brushes and an eel pass were installed before the end of March 201.

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Camelford Weir removal to be appraised in phase 2 which will commence in the next programme period.

3.1.15. Wadebridge Flood Defence scheme The primary objective is to appraise the flood risk management of the River Camel at Wadebridge. There are 171 residential properties at risk of tidal or combined tidal/fluvial flooding. Due to FCRM funding re-prioritisation this project will stop and restart during the next 6 year programme. Considerable funding gap remains an issue.

3.1.16. Par Moor Project has been paused whilst we investigate alternative funding routes, as the appraisal has shown insufficient FDGIA funding is available.

3.1.17. Sandy River Project has been paused whilst we investigate alternative funding routes, as the appraisal has shown insufficient FDGIA funding is available.

3.1.18. Par/St Blazey The primary objective is to improve the flood risk management of Par and St Blazey. We anticipate improving the flood risk to 214 properties (OM2’s) and improve 3 hectares of water dependant habitat. This project is part of our collaboration with Cornwall Council and South West Water to maximise opportunities for the Resilient Regeneration Project (StARR). Cornwall Council are managing the ESIF funding to support the business case.

We are the nearing completion of the detailed design phase of the works. Cornwall Council are delivering the surface water elements and we are delivering the main river elements of the preferred option. We are currently finalising the detailed design, the hydraulic model and all planning permission documents. We are planning looking to submit planning permission in autumn 2019. This will lead to construction commencing in summer 2020 with completion of construction by March 2022.

3.1.19. Stream Culvert Repairs The primary objective is to repair a culvert to minimise flood risk. This project is part of our StARR project, as detailed under Par / St Blazey project.

3.1.20. St Blazey Stream De-silt The primary objective is to appraise the management of this watercourse. This project is part of our StARR project, as detailed under Par / St Blazey project.

3.1.21. Prideaux and St Blazey Catchment Improvements The primary objective is to appraise the flood risk management of the Prideaux and St Blazey catchments. This project is part of our StARR project, as detailed under Par / St Blazey project.

3.1.22. New Mills Dam Improvements Appraisal of options for measures to be completed in the interests of safety following Inspecting Engineer requirements under the Reservoirs Act to upgrade to a Programme Logic Controller and install additional hard stops to the radial gate. Atkins are undertaking this appraisal work under the CDF, with NMCN (Nomenca) engaged through the MEICA framework to provide Early Contractor Engagement including

Page 15 of 36 creating hardware & functionality specifications for the PLC. Appraisal works are expected to run until Dec 2019, with a Design & Build delivery through the MEICA framework to be awarded in March, for completion early 2020/21.

3.2. Devon

3.2.1. Bampton Flood Defence Improvements This project is currently finalising the contractual position and will then be put on hold.

3.2.2. Tiverton Flood Defence Improvements This project is currently finalising the contractual position and will then be put on hold.

3.2.3. Clyst St Mary Flood Defence Improvements The primary objective is to improve the current standard of protection to the village of Clyst St Mary. The preferred option has been identified as a sheet piled solution and partnership funding contributions have been confirmed. Detailed design is progressing well for the whole scheme, with planning application due to be submitted by the end of 2019. Clyst St Mary flood group and Parish Council have been consulted on the proposed scheme, along with individually affected residents. Construction works are planned for 20/21 should funding be available.

3.2.4. Bishops Tawton Flood Defence Improvements This project is currently on hold.

3.2.5. Kenwith, Bideford Flood Defence Improvements Project currently on hold due to future finding constraints. The Environment Agency Partnership and Strategic Overview team will continue to identify partnership funding and undertake discussions with potential project partners in the coming year to secure partnership funding contributions.

The primary objective is to upgrade the existing scheme to further reduce the risk of flooding. The preferred option for the scheme has been selected, outline design has been finalised and environmental reports completed on the appraisal.

3.2.6. Combe Martin Objective is to reduce flood risk to properties in Combe Martin from a combination of surface water and fluvial sources. Also addressing water quality issues within the catchment to improve bathing water quality. Suppliers to carry out analysis of natural flood management (NFM) options and review and update of existing model to determine if suitable for modelling of NFM options. Site visit complete with review ongoing. Funding restrictions are causing delays.

3.2.7. Trews Footbridge Following routine bridge inspections undertaken by Jacobs, the principal inspection at Trews Footbridge in Exeter identified urgent repairs are required to the pier heads of the footbridge as they are currently failing.

The bridge crosses a flood relief channel for the . There is a cycle path and footway over the structure that is regularly used by the public. The bridge has been deemed safe at present, however Jacobs will be undertaking regular inspections to the bridge to monitor the failure and ascertain whether the condition has worsened. Detailed design to rectify the failing pier heads has commenced.

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The project will be delivered as capital maintenance. It is anticipated that design will be completed to enable construction this financial year.

3.2.8. Stoodleigh Gauging Station We are currently within the appraisal stage of the project. The objective is to add resilience to the Gauging Station by improving the sites existing facilities and reducing the risk of further damage caused by high river levels. Preliminary investigation has been completed and Jacobs are now working to produce the outline designs and indicative costs for the improvements to the site, this is due to be completed in September 2019. It is understood, following the appraisal phase, the project will proceed to detailed design. Following the procurement of a detailed designer, it is likely a detailed design will be produced during the first quarter of 20/21.

3.2.9. Gauging Study The appraisal phase continues to investigate the cost and most appropriate method to decommission the existing Gauging Station at Taw Bridge, (comprising of a stilling well and a flat v weir) as well as the options for a replacement site downstream at Park Mill Bridge.

During the preliminary investigation, a geomorphology assessment was undertaken at Taw Bridge that highlighted erosion risks associated with removal or partial removal of the structure to consider. We are producing a technical report that includes the options and costs associated with the decommissioning as well as outline drawings and indicative costs to construct the replacement site at Park Mill Bridge. The technical note is due to be completed by the end of 2019 which will be used to produce the business case.

3.2.10. Hele Valley Stream The channel repairs to the Hele Valley Stream have become a more urgent issue over the past year with evidence that the right bank is still destabilising, potentially resulting in a collapse, the debris risks blocking a downstream culvert and flooding nearby properties. Outline design has been complete and funding for up to £165k has been secured. The tender package is in development and due to be released to the FCRM Operational Framework September 2019.

Engagement with adjacent landowners has been positive; engagement with RGB builder’s merchants has secured areas on their site for safe access, lifting and loading area as well as space for site compound and storage. Construction is due to be completed by March 2020.

3.2.11. Ayleston Brook The Ayleston Brook project initially started out as the decommissioning of an Environment Agency asset. The asset is an embankment perpendicular to the watercourse has a culvert through which the Ayleston Brook flows; in high and high river flow conditions the Ayleston Brook levels rise putting upstream properties at risk.

The project scope has now increased to include the potential for the creation of up to 7Ha of intertidal habitat. This habitat creation could replace areas of loss that have occurred recently in nearby inlets such as Noss Marina on the and will return the area to its natural condition. The allocated revenue is being used for baseline studies

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to ensure no detriment to existing habitats and species, it is then hoped that this will provide the evidence to secure OM4 funding to deliver the works.

3.2.12. South Molton The flood resilience improvement scheme for the Mill on the Mole Residential Park has progressed significantly in the last quarter. Due for construction during the 2019/20 financial year the contract for design and build has now been awarded to Bridge Civil Engineering on the FCRM Operational Framework. In addition to this the Full Business Case has been approved for up to £675k of funding.

The full planning application was submitted in May 2019 and the consultation period has now closed. There were some minor details to address but these have been resolved and the project team are confident of an approval decision in the coming weeks. Construction is due to start mid-late October and last approximately 2-3 months.

3.3. Minor Work Package (DC9)

3.3.1. Chaddlewood Trash Screen Improvements The planning permission application has been granted for the construction of the new trash screen on site and upsizing of the existing screen. This project has been on hold due to future funding availability.

However, it has been identified that this project has an opportunity to be delivered this financial year and the project team have been requested to investigate the construction of these improvements.

3.3.2. Tamerton Foliot Trash Screen Improvements Outline design rationale and trash screen agreed departure note has been produced for review and agreed with the Catchment Engineer.

The project will require partnership funding for delivery and is currently under review. Project on hold until funding identified.

3.3.3. Polperro Trash Screen Improvements Project has completed the detailed design. The procurement of the construction is currently under consideration as potential affordability challenges have been identified.

Project has received full business case approval. The Project was considered for Design and then Construction, identified challenges in construction are currently under consideration. Trash screen design rationale has been agreed with the Catchment Engineer.

This project will progress to tender through the Operational Frameworks.

3.3.4. Wooda Trash Screen Improvements Due to funding constraints, the project is currently on hold.

The appraisal is complete. Trash screen design rationale has been produced for the proposed improvement works and has been agreed with the Catchment Engineer.

3.3.5. Drakewalls Stream Culvert Inlet Screen Refurbishment

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Project awaiting confirmation of partnership funding and FDGiA funding ahead of progressing further. Appraisal completed.

3.3.6. Latchbrook Impoundment Dam Refurbishments The construction works commenced in July 2019 with a 3 month programme. The works will address measures raised in the interest of safety to both the dam’s functionality and safe access to its crest during impoundment events, as well as installing an eel pass through the culvert outflow structure. To date, the Contractor has mobilised and commenced with the stilling basin works.

Figure 11: Stilling Basin blinding poured, ready for reinforcement cage to be lifted into place 3.4. Devon & Cornwall Small Works Packages

3.4.1. 2017-18 Package The package was delivered on programme. Lessons learnt undertaken to be shared.

3.4.2. 2018-19 Package This package will deliver works to recondition existing Environment Agency assets which are in poor condition and therefore fail asset condition surveys. The status of the works are; • Works completed on the replacement of 85m of wall at Lympstone Wotton Brook, • Works completed to repair a leaking flood bank in Clyst St Mary. • Works completed on the replacement of the revetment on a tributary of the River Neat in Bude. Including further reinstatement works to refurbish the adjacent bank. • The Wooda Stream attenuation wall adjacent to the Wooda screen has been replaced in the centre of Launceston. Reinstatement of the adjacent land and installation of land drain completed.

3.4.3. 2019-20 Package This package will deliver works to maintain and improve existing assets in Devon and Cornwall which are in poor condition and therefore fail asset condition surveys.

The projects are being delivered though a number of procurement routes with most going through a Design and Construct package which is currently out for tender through Page 19 of 36

the Ops Framework.

3.4.4. Alphin Brook, Alphington, Exeter Replacement of circa 120m barrier separating the artificially depended channel from the main road and cycle/footpath.

Figure 12: Alphin Brook barrier replacement The intention is to reduce the extent of the barrier where substantial trees provide separation and therefore reduce the construction, ongoing maintenance and future replacement cost.

3.4.5. Bishops Tawton Bank erosion is causing risk of breach of a flood embankment and damage to a headwall. The channel has moved with accretion on the inside of the bend and erosion on the outside. The flap on the outlet also requires replacement.

Repair/regrading of the bank could be completed with material from the opposite side of the channel.

Figure 13: Bishops Tawton bank erosion An options assessment and detailed design of the embankment repair will be completed in 19/20 in addition to replacement of the flap valve and installation of hand railing and tie off points to provide safer access for maintenance and inspection.

3.4.6. Portmarsh Screen, Coney Gut, Barnstable Construction of a new parking and turning area to provide access to the screen to aid clearance of the screen.

Works include widening of the existing cycle track, new access from the highway and a new turning and loading area.

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Figure 14: Coney Gute cycle track

3.4.7. Teignmouth Groyne Basket Refurbishment

Replacement and refurbishment of the Aids to Navigation at the end of the groynes on Teignmouth Beach.

The contractor is constructing a new set of navigation aids which will be installed in place of the existing. The existing navigation aids will be returned to the EA depot for repair/repainting by Field Services. This will then provide a stock of baskets for future replacement / refurbishment projects.

Figure 15: Teignmouth groyne refurbishment

3.4.8. Galmpton A scheme constructed in 2003 to provide a larger culvert requires modification to improve performance. Works comprise connection of the original and new scheme chambers with a new section of culvert and a new weir installed to manage flows.

3.4.9. Woodbury screen Construction of a new inlet trash screen to replace the existing mesh screen shown below. The project also involves the repair / replacement of failed gabion baskets protecting the banks immediately upstream of the inlet.

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Figure 16: Woodbury Screen 3.4.10. Crooklets Wall, Bude Construction of wall toe scour protection and repair of damage caused by scour.

Figure 17: Crooklets Wall repair

3.4.11. St Blazey Pumping Station Access Installation of new drop kerbs to improve access to the pumping station.

Figure 18: St. Blazey new pumping station curbs

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3.4.12. Culvert desilt This project requires the desilt of a gravity culvert with a number of different cross sections of pipe, a submerged outlet, a large area below the inlet trash screen and a large fish population.

Consultation with the fisheries team is ongoing to determine a suitable method of fish recue prior to the desilting work. The normal method of electro is not possible due to the large amount of metal in the screen.

Figure 19: Pentewan culvert

3.4.13. St Blazey Culvert desilt Desilt of a section of culvert beneath the road.

3.4.14. Tredenham Close, Par, Culvert desilt Desilt of a section of culvert and the inlet around the trash screen.

3.4.15. Roydon Stream, Launceston, Culvert inspection and maintenance CCTV inspection of a culvert with known previous root ingress problems.

3.5. Devon & Cornwall WEM Baseline Workload Appraisal Package

3.5.1. Wadebridge Steel Piles A number of potential repair options have been priced, all involve significant investment. Due to FCRM funding re-prioritisation this project will stop until funding is identified.

3.5.2. Millbrook Tidal Barrier The works are substantially complete with snagging and MEICA commissioning outstanding. A BCUR has recently been approved to fund additional works to improve the hand railing and maintenance operation. All works expected to be complete by end of Autumn 2019.

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Figure 20: Inner sluice gate installed

Figure 21: Outer tide flap installed

3.5.3. Town Leat Culverts Site works were completed in August 2018. End of maintenance period inspection is scheduled for September 2019, following which the project will be closed.

4. Construction Projects Update

4.1. Cornwall

4.2. Longrock Coastal Improvements (protecting 295 residential properties and 65 commercial properties). The Longrock Coastal Improvement works, being delivered with help from funding provided by the EU’s regional development programme, were completed in mid-August, some two weeks ahead of schedule. They are part of a wider £3.7M project looking to address FCERM risks along the Longrock to Marazion frontage, which also includes environmental improvements for the highly valued . The scheme should Page 24 of 36

provide additional resilience for 10-20 years, giving time for the longer-term FCERM strategy to be developed.

Key points for the scheme: • Led by Cornwall Council with Environment Agency as key delivery partner • Utilises over 12,500 tonnes of locally sourced granite rock to construct 350m of shoreline protection. • Design and placement of rock looks to provide conditions in which the dune may be allowed to recover and regain some of its former width. • Re-vegetation will also take place, further helping to stabilise Figure 22: Longrock improvement works the frontage and improve biodiversity. • As well as residential and commercial properties, it provides protection to the main rail line and A30 trunk road. • It provides a secure and level route for both pedestrians and cyclists as part of the Bay to Bay multi-user trail.

To mark the completion of the works, an opening event was held on the morning of the 16th August, attended by the SW RFCs Chairman Philip Rees.

Figure 23: Opening event of Longrock project

4.1.2. Dawlish Warren Beach Management Scheme) protecting 2800 properties and 5k of main line railway Construction is complete and a 5 year programme of monitoring has now been started to evaluate scheme performance.

4.1.3. Exeter Flood Defence Scheme (protecting 3,270 properties) The project is being undertaken in partnership with Exeter City Council (ECC) and Devon County Council (DCC). A further contribution of £1.47M (part cash, part works ‘in kind’) has been received from South West Water. Construction of Phase 1 (in-river permitted development works) is complete.

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Construction work progresses at Eagle Cottages and on Network Rail land around St David’s Station. The works around the railway have been delayed due to various issues encountered and are not expected to be complete until later this year. Further landscaping and reinstatement works continue across the city.

We have stopped working at the Quay for the busy summer holidays. The demountable flood defences on the Quay will be the subject of a full trial deployment after the holidays. This will allow us to test the defences, ensure the systems operation is as efficient as possible and provide training to Exeter City Council staff and contractors who will operate the defences in the future.

Figure 24: New flood wall and glass panel defences at Eagle Cottages

Figure 25: Construction of new sheet piled flood wall near Cowley Bridge (to provide a sense of scale, the visible height of the piles is approximately 3-4m high) – Zoomed detail in distance shows new 400m long concrete pre cast flood wall built alongside the rail 4.1.4. Exmouth Tidal Defence Scheme (protecting 1400 residential properties, 400 Page 26 of 36 commercial) We received planning approval for Alexandra Terrace Junction, resulting in planning permission being gained for the full alignment of the Exmouth Tidal defence Scheme. To support the application we held a public event with EDDC at Exmouth Town Hall, this was well attended and received by local councillors, businesses and the public.

Within Area A (Royal Avenue & Local Nature Reserve), the majority of work has been focused on the revetment repairs and earth raising works which are now substantially complete. Works to lay the foundations for the flood walls are well underway and sections of the prefabricated flood wall have been delivered and placed along the proposed alignment. Looking ahead the contractor will be completing the defence wall, raising and realignment of carpark and road, landscaping, revetment repairs and footpath in the nature reserve. Works are Figure 26: Area A - Installation of pre cast defence wall programme to be completed in this area by end of Jan 2020.

Within Area B (Camperdown Creek) the piling works have been completed. The removal of gabions has started at the Sea Cadets and the play park has been closed to ensure public safety (likely 6 week duration). Works in the area include bank stabilisation, construction of a raised access track, a timber clad sheet piled flood wall and flood gates. All the civil works in this area are programmed to be completed by the end of Nov 2019, with Figure 27: Area B – Installation of sheet piled wall installation of the gates to follow in the New Year.

For Area C (The Esplanade) the team are progressing designs, which should be submitted and ready for approval throughout September. In terms of construction works the strengthening works at the lower sea wall walkway is progressing and this work is due to be completed by the end of September. Works are due to begin along the Esplanade in September necessitating the closure of the busy sea front road. Devon County Council has granted a full Figure 28:Area C – Toe strengthening works road closure on the Esplanade from Sep 2019 – Jul 2020 and approved the diversion routes. The road closures have been clearly

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communicated to the public on social media and within press releases. The planned work includes significant drainage improvements, as well as pointing and repairs to the existing sea wall. Work in Morton Crescent and the Imperial Hotel are due to begin in September, which include the ground works for the secondary flood wall and drainage improvements. Works in Area C are programmed to continue until April 2020.

Separate to TVO works a specialist contractor has been appointed to survey the properties identified for Property Flood Resilience (PFR) measures, which are due to take place in early September.

The works are complete and site has been handed over. The opening event on the 5th April was well attended and well received by the local community, with prominent pieces in the local press and ITV local news.

In June the project won of the ‘Collaboration Award’ at the ICE South West – civil engineering awards held June. Figure 29: Project team at ICE Awards

4.1.5. Stoke Canon Flood Defence Improvements (protecting 154 residential properties) Flood defence works are complete. Network Rail need to appoint a solicitor so that further progress can be made on the long-term agreement to gain access for maintenance on their land. Once the agreement is in place, the project will be closed.

4.1.6. Totnes Flood Defence Improvements (protecting 213 properties and 204 commercial) The works to reduce tidal and fluvial flood risk in Totnes over a 1.4km stretch of river are completed. Works are limited to snagging and the issue of the health and safety file.

Completed works include the raising of approximately 500 metres of linear defences constructed in the original 1980 scheme and 140 metres of new flood wall constructed in Morrison’s car park. We have built flood walls between properties, raised 150 metres of riverside wall at New Walk, raised a slipway and incorporated a number of buildings into the wider defence using individual property flood resilience measures such as flood resilient balconies, windows and doors. Works on individual property level flood resilience measures have been implemented on 8 properties. 3 flood gates have been installed.

4.1.7. Tamar Banks Habitat Creation Project An area of circa 10ha for this epoch of habitat is required to provide compensatory habitat for tidal squeeze (in addition to that which is due to be delivered as part of the Calstock Scheme); enabling the Environment Agency to continue its current risk management activities on the Tamar. Heads of terms have now been signed by the landowner, this should enable habitat to be created at South Hoe. An option agreement has been signed with the landowner and a price has been agreed with Atkins as CDF supplier. Initial surveys are programmed for August/September.

4.1.8. Chyandour (protecting 17 residential properties) Local Levy funded Phase 3 of the main works were completed January 2019. The project will be closed.

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The SWRFCC confirmed the low lying properties mainly in and around Chyandour Square should be offered protection using Property Level Resilience (PLR). Cornwall Council have agreed to add the Chyandour properties to their 2017-2019 PLR programme.

4.1.9. Helston River Cober - River Cober Loe Bar (Phase I) Following storm damage at Loe Bar, it was necessary to accelerate phase I of the Helston River Cober project. Water discharged mid-way along the tunnel below a masonry retaining wall which is itself vulnerable to collapsing into the culvert and causing a total blockage to the only discharge point from Loe Pool. A new project was commenced to repair the damaged section of tunnel.

In order to reduce the period of emergency pumping, we have brought forward our planned works for Loe Bar. These works are now on site and consist of the construction of:

• 185m long, 1.8m diameter flood relief pipe installation below Loe Bar; • Modifications to existing reinforced concrete inlet structure, including new roof slab, invert level changes and water level control structure; • Steel sheet piled outlet structure incorporating reinforced concrete slab and energy dissipation apron

These works were completed in June and only the Health and Safety file and snagging works are outstanding.

The flood relief culvert will allow greater flows to be discharged from Loe Pool during times of flood. The lower invert level will also allow greater control on water levels within Loe Pool enabling the creation of increased wetland habitat.

4.1.10. Loe Bar Tunnel Repair To ensure public safety, a repair is to be undertaken to the existing damaged tunnel under the Coastal Protection Act. These works require the reinstatement of the section of damaged tunnel.

It proved extremely challenging to find a working window in this exposed location which enabled the installation of the containers. The repair of the existing breach area has now been completed and the tunnel cleared of sand so that it is now fully operational. Only the Health and Safety file and snagging works are outstanding.

4.1.11. River Cober Town Works (Phase II) As well as being at risk of flooding from Loe Poole, Helston town is at risk from the River Cober.

The detailed design has progressed well, incorporating value engineering options. Documents for planning permission were submitted to Cornwall Council in mid- August. Kier as CDF supplier are being consulted with a view to start on site November 2019.

4.1.12. Kenwith Pumping Station (Bideford) Operational Improvements The project has been delivered as part of the Devon and Cornwall Small Works Package with BMMJV. The new equipment has been installed with the four new fish friendly pumps operational and commissioned. The project was completed on site in March. Page 29 of 36

Final search for defects to be programmed in for October.

4.1.13. Polperro Tidal Gate Refurbishment The project has progressed through Full Business Case to replace the Polperro Tidal Gate and install a reinforced pintle arrangement. Works have progressed well on site with the tidal gate removed on programme.

Fabrication of the replacement gate has been fabricated and is currently being painted in Cardiff. The tidal gate is programmed to be reinstalled in the first week of September.

The project has been working with South West Water to undertake over pumping of the local sewerage network whilst the reinforcements are installed to the pintle. These works have been completed and over pumping decommissioned.

The project will undertake final works to complete diversion of a buried service following completion of the gate installation. The project is currently on site finalising work on the east quay to prepare for installation of the tidal gate in September.

Delivery of this project will reduce the risk of tidal flooding and coastal erosion to properties within the historic harbour.

Figure 30: Polperro - site works to install pile caps 4.1.14. Copperhouse Gate Contract for the works to refurbish the Copperhouse Gate structure and replace the existing gate has completed works on site with the new gate installed and commissioned as part of the Devon and Cornwall Small Works Package 2016-17.

The Copperhouse Water Level Management Plan final draft has been sent to the senior user for consideration ahead of issue to stakeholders for final review and signoff.

4.1.15. Newton Abbot & FDI Model updates continuing to combine the and models with additional new survey of the River Lemon. Stakeholder workshop carried out with Page 30 of 36

Teignbridge District Council, Devon County Council and South West Water to confirm overall flooding and surface water issues and opportunities within the Newton Abbot area. Updated rating reviews received for 3 locations, with calibrated model ongoing.

4.1.16. Ilfracombe Sea Defence Improvements No further progress, discussions with North Devon Council ongoing to confirm if possible to progress with improvements around Wildersmouth Beach.

4.1.17. Portreath Sea Wall Works started on site in November 2018 to rebuild the 23m section of sea wall which failed during Storm Eleanor in January 2018. Site works were completed in April 2019 in time to return the car park to normal for the Easter break. H&S File and as-built drawings now complete.

4.1.17. Trews Weir Incident This emergency project was handed to PCM in April 2019 with the purpose to procure, design and construct a solution to a situation at Trews Weir on the River Exe. Following the collapse of St James Weir in December 2018, the water levels downstream of Trews dropped significantly. Because of this, the fish pass on Trews Weir (constructed by the Environment Agency as part of the Exeter Flood Defence Scheme) could no longer function as designed and the weir was causing an obstruction to migrating fish and eels that require passage for spawning purposes in the upper reaches of the river.

A scheme to extend the existing fish pass has been designed by Atkins in conjunction with Fishtek, a Kier subcontractor. Construction began in August 2019 and is programmed for completion in September. This is being undertaken by Kier as part of the new framework. Rock bags are being installed around the proposed extension to prevent scour underneath the structure and around the existing weir. The adjacent eel pass extension is currently being designed by Fishtek and is due to be installed in October 2019. As well as this, a monitoring gantry has been installed by Fishtek to provide fish migration data both before and after the installation of the extension.

Figure 31: Trews Weir fish passage

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4.2. New Projects

4.2.1. Modelling Packages PCM are managing a programme of Modelling & Forecasting projects, including 4 ongoing schemes under PDU1 with JBA using the legacy WEM framework and an initial 6 schemes under NGSA. Atkins are progressing well with scope creation for schemes at , East Budleigh, Dawlish, the Taw & Torridge and Bickleigh. Main stage modelling for these schemes is expected to commence in Q3.

A stakeholder engagement meeting was held for a proposed Catchment Based modelling approach for NFM prioritisation, with internal attendees from PSO, PCM, Geomorphology, National Biodiversity, Evidence & Risk, Land & Water, National FCRM and Environment Planning. External stakeholders included representatives from Atkins, Devon County Council and . Information is currently being gathered to enable scoping, which is expected to be commissioned through Atkins in Q3.

4.2.2. Devon Bridge Inspection Programme Jacobs carried out a programme of 15 principal and general bridge inspections across Devon in Q1. These ensure the EA’s legal compliance, and will be used to inform the Area maintenance plan. Concerns were raised around damage to 2 pier heads on Trews Footbridge in Exeter & an additional inspection was carried out. Urgent repair works have been deemed necessary, and this is currently being appraised & designed by Jacobs. This is being managed as a new standalone project.

4.2.3. Whimple – Webbers Close There is a requirement to undertake urgent works to a third party culvert in Whimple with structural condition grade indications at 3 and 4. The culvert has five riparian owners, is in the garden of four residential properties and crosses the highway. Asset performance are currently in discussions regarding funding for this project to be managed by PCM this financial year. The project is to be discussed at the next FIS board meeting. Page 32 of 36

5. Environmental Improvements and Natural Flood Management

5.1. Exe Estuary Habitat Delivery Project This compensatory habitat is required to meet Habitat Regulations to enable continuing maintenance and improvements to FCRM schemes around the Exe Estuary. The proposed site for creating compensatory habitat is the Lower Otter, six miles east of the Exe Estuary. The site offers the opportunity to work with the landowner, Clinton Devon Estates, to deliver 58 hectares of intertidal habitat. The project is known locally as the Lower Otter Restoration Project (LORP).

The preferred option would see the floodplain restored across the full area currently enclosed by embankments. It includes raising an access road and relocating a cricket pitch out of the flood plain. There is an overlap in area with a planned major project, FAB Link, to bring electricity to the UK from France. It has become apparent that the land agreements that FAB Link hold are likely to prevent parts of the LORP from progressing to the planned timescales. We are continuing to work with FAB Link to see how the two projects can fit together, and potentially have a back-up plan should FAB Link be unable to proceed as programmed.

Work on the detailed design and planning submission for the main LORP scheme is nearing completion. The planning application for the relocation of Cricket Club has recently been made and the planning application for the main scheme could be made in autumn 2019, subject to satisfactory conclusion of discussions with South West Water about potential impacts on their infrastructure. Timing of construction is unknown, due to the uncertainties above. The first construction element will be the new cricket pitch, but this will only commence once there is more certainty around delivery of the whole project.

Full funding from FDGiA has been agreed, because providing compensatory habitat is a legal requirement. However, we have been continuing to seek alternative sources of funding. The decision from the submission to the EU Interreg France Channel England fund was to ‘refer’ the application, with changes and a re-submission required. We intend to re-submit in early October 2019, with a decision expected in January 2020.

6. Development and Planning Work

A vital part of the Partnership & Strategic Overview (PSO) team is building excellent relationships with external partners and influencing others to have economic and environmental growth in a sustainable way. We advise, comment, and work with others to ensure new development and planning requests are working holistically for our catchments.

From May to August, we’ve responded to 234 planning applications and 30 enquiries.

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May - June July-Aug Planning Planning Planning Planning Applications Enquiries Applications Enquiries PSO East 72 15 65 8 PSO West 44 3 53 4 Total number of planning 116 18 118 12 consultations received

6.1. Flood Channel The Partnership and Strategic Overview East team agreed, through the planning and flood risk activities permit systems, for a new flood channel to be built as part of a housing development in the Chuley Road area of Ashburton. Construction has begun, and in-channel works are due to be completed by the end of September.

This new flood channel will protect the new development, along with other forthcoming developments, and provide improved flood protection to the lower parts of Ashburton. As part of our strategic catchment approach, NFM is proposed in the upper catchment and changes are also planned at Linhay Quarry to store floodwater.

Figure 32: River Ashton Flood Channel 6.2. Trews Weir Exeter Fish Pass Improvements Following the partial collapse of St James’ Weir in Exeter in December 2018, water levels downstream of Trews Weir dropped significantly. This led to the existing fish pass at Trews Weir to become impassable.

The Environment Agency FCRM teams have been working closely with Exeter City Council (ECC), the owner of Trews Weir. The Environment Agency will be installing a 7.3m temporary extension to the fish pass at Trews Weir whilst a long term solution is Page 34 of 36

investigated. ECC will be carrying out borehole tests to establish the current condition of Trews Weir. ECC will then review the viable repair options, and in partnership with the Environment Agency a long term solution for the fish pass will be provided. The long term options for St. James’ Weir will also be considered.

All the above works have been progressed through the flood risk activities permitting system given the tight time constraints, whilst safeguarding the environment, fish passage and flood risks.

Figure 33: Trews Weir Fish Passage

6.3. Paignton Culvert Improvements The Partnership and Strategic Overview East team are currently determining a Flood Risk Activity Permit application for the diversion of a 60m long section of 1m diameter culvert in Paignton, due to the existing culverts condition being poor in parts.

The culvert is being diverted to facilitate the construction of a new hotel. The existing culvert forms part of a complex strategic network of pipes and other infrastructure including a pumping station. This strategic network helps protect large parts of Paignton, including many dozens of residential and commercial property, from both fluvial and surface water flooding.

The team has significantly influenced the design and proposed sequence of construction works to ensure the hydraulic performance of the piped system won’t be compromised during both the diversion works and in the longer term. The current proposal would provide more flow and storage capacity than the existing culvert and therefore there would be a reduction in flood risk.

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Figure 34: Paignton Culvert improvements design

BEN JOHNSTONE BEng (Hons) CEng MICE Area Flood & Coastal Risk Manager Making Devon, Cornwall and The Isles of Scilly an even greater place

September 2019

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Cornwall Community Flood Forum Item 11 Appendix A Finance Management Board Report Communications Operational Budget (£22,500 pa 2018-2021) Quarter 5 (April-June 2019) Activity Q4 Q5 RFCC/EA PROJECT & CP2 PROJECT Key Activities this Quarter Twitter: Followers 214 220 Income/ BAL INC EXP BAL Tweets 4 4 Expend End Q5 Q5 End - Recruitment and handover with new officer Q4 Q5 - Ongoing work to launch new website Facebook: Posts 5 10 EA 5000 - Consultation with CP2 team to prepare new round of training delivery in Cambridgeshire Page likes 306 309 CP2 1250 - Cornwall Community Resilience Network meeting to Followers 300 338 assign priority communities for year 2 of RFCC/EA Events: Website: support. (£1500) Homepage visits ? 0 - Member enquiries and follow up relating to property - Confrnce Resource downloads ? 0 level protection - Meetings 30 - Recces for potential venues for quarterly meetings, Blog: - Training 245 training events and 2019 Conference Posts 0 0 workshops - Presentation to Perranarworthal and Perranzabuloe Followers 0 0 - Field 84 Parish Councils trips Membership: - Desk top exercise for Par & St Blazey Flood Group (Pre GDPR Q1: 87) 103 115 Printing: (£1500) Coming up next Quarter Quarterly Meeting Attendance: - Cycle - Organisation of September training workshops diagrams (non trustees/board) 3 tbc with CCRN partners - Training Correspondence: booklets - Launch of new website and blog - Summer eNewsletter (email/post) 7 2 Staff - Follow up with parish/town councils who attended (£17000) - training taster sessions Risks & Opportunities CRCC 8000 - Start of Conference organisation Risks: costs inc - Parish/Town Councils resist Officer progression of flood plans/groups salary, Key Challenges Opportunities: travel & - PCs take a lot of convincing to devote time and energy - Collaboration with CC re PLP expenses to developing flood plans and volunteer groups, scheme application to Defra especially when flood risk is not a priority. Website 1250 - Higher profile as result of new - Balancing time of paid Officer against competing website and blog activities (80 hours per month) Totals 6414 6250 9609 3055 - Active involvement/recruitment of - Available resources v potential demand for support End Q5 more members through quarterly meetings, field trips, workshops and conference in months ahead Item 13 SWRFCC/19/41 Report of Devon County Council for SWRFCC - 10th October 2019

1.0 Introduction This report provides the South West Regional Flood & Coastal Committee (SWRFCC) with an update on current initiatives and the major projects being delivered and developed by Devon County Council’s Flood Risk Management Team and the second-tier authorities within their area.

2.0 Natural Flood Management Devon County Council are producing a Best Practice Guidance for Natural Flood Management (NFM) / Working with Natural Processes (WWNP). The document is to identify the various types of NFM measures that can be used for various locations and the benefits that can be achieved.

3.0 Progress of Flood Improvement Projects

3.1 Modbury Flood Improvement Scheme The flood improvement works are now complete and operational, however there is still uncertainty with the final account due to the large number of compensation events that have been submitted by the contractor. These have, in the main, been rebutted and need to be drawn to a close to enable scheme completion. It is likely that a variation will need to be submitted for an additional £50k of FDGiA to support the current financial position.

A significant rainfall event on 10th August 2019 brought a large volume of brash and silt down the watercourse. This collected on the upstream face of the field crossing prior to the 2 attenuation areas located in Area 1 of the flood scheme. Flows were able to continue downstream without causing any concerns for flooding. Clearance works were carried out soon after to remove the debris that had built up.

3.2 Property Level Resilience (PLR) DCC’s funding programme for individual property owners continues to be well received by residents who have suffered internal flooding to their properties. We currently have 12 applications on-going and a further 4 applications have recently been approved for progressing.

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Item 13 SWRFCC/19/41 In addition to the individual applications from property owners a number of PLR-only projects have been included on this year’s programme, as agreed with the SWRFCC Finance sub- committee. A scheme at South Pool will deliver protection for 10 properties and is well under way with measures currently being manufactured; in Cullompton a further 15 properties will receive PLR measures and these are currently being procured through the EA’s new Property Flood Resilience (PFR) Framework; and 5 properties at Victoria Terrace, are in progress. Unfortunately, all 5 of these properties suffered further internal flooding in September 2019 while we were procuring the flood resilience measures and SWW were on-site installing a sewer diversion to avoid a pipe route that was blocked with concrete.

3.3 Ivybridge, Stibbs lane Flood Improvements Scheme The proposed scheme for Ivybridge is split into 3 phases with Phase 1 being in the lower catchment to ensure flood risk is not worsened by flood improvement works upstream and phase 3 in the upper catchment providing natural flood management measures to reduce the impact of overland flows. Phase 1 is complete and Phase 2, which is part of the Environment Agency’s Headwaters NFM Project, is undergoing a 12-month period of runoff flow monitoring before the NFM measures are implemented in spring 2020.

The main flood improvement works are included in Phase 2, which encompasses a new 130m long 750mm diameter to replace an existing twin 150mm diameter piped system. Early scheduling was to commence works on site in November 2019 and works were tendered through the DCC Minor Works Framework. The initial responses were significantly over the available budget and also indicated working requirements, such as a full road closure for the 14-week contract period, which were unacceptable.

Accepting a short delay was inevitable, the works were re-tendered to a wider audience and a more affordable price has been achieved with acceptable working arrangements. Construction is now proposed to commence in January 2020 and due for completion by May 2020. This does however mean a short overlap into 2020/21, the final year of the current 6- year programme, so will work closely with the EA to ensure funding between FDGiA, Local Levy and DCC is allocated appropriately.

The reduction of flood risk to 25 properties will be realised in the 2020/21 financial year.

3.4 Stokeinteignhead Flood Improvement Scheme Further to the announcement made in the previous report, that the major flood improvements proposed were unaffordable and unachievable, we have been developing the reduced scheme of PLR for the at-risk properties and improved highway drainage.

A drop-in even was held for the residents to discuss the specific requirements for their properties and a bespoke list of PLR measures is being prepared. The highway drainage improvements are being drawn up and a number of trial hole investigations have been carried out to establish accurate location of adjacent services.

A report is being presented to DCC’s October Cabinet to gain approval for carrying out the works and the Business Case to support the FDGiA application is to be submitted to the EA during October. Subject to gaining the necessary approvals it is hoped that all works to reduce the risk of flooding to 40 properties can be completed within the current financial year.

3.5 Exeter Surface Water Improvements

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Item 13 SWRFCC/19/41 As previously reported the flood improvement works to protect 55 properties are to be delivered in 2 phases and they remain on schedule for completion within this current financial year. A further 15 properties at Old Tiverton Road were provided with PLR measures to reduce the risk of flooding. These works were delivered by Exter City Council on behalf of DCC.

The Phase 1 works at Guinevere Way/Round Table Meet are now complete. This included: a. Alterations of kerbing and parking to create a barrier to flood waters to better protect the Beacon Heath Children’s Centre. b. Installation of a 300m long low-level wall along the cyclepath/footway from Beacon Lane to Bettys Mead playing fields to intercept an overland flow path. c. Significant highway drainage improvements with 3 grated channels traversing the road and diverting water into the Northbrook watercourse where there is spare capacity. d. Removal of downstream obstruction within the Northbrook watercourse.

i. New headwall into the Northbrook at Guinevere Way

ii. New channel drainage across Guinevere Way

Phase 2 works to create flood attenuation within the public open space at Georges Close are in the detailed design stage with a planning application for the bund/wall construction to be submitted in October 2019. It is envisaged that works will commence early 2020 with the aim of completion by April 2020.

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Item 13 SWRFCC/19/41 3.6 Sidmouth Surface Water Improvements The surface water flood improvements for Sidmouth are still suffering ongoing delays.

Phase 1 - Surface water drainage improvements within the town centre area. It was reported in July that works would hopefully commence in September, however further site investigations are required to provide the potential tunnelling contractors with sufficient information in which to base their tender submissions. Pressure is being applied to maintain momentum and focus on a construction start early 2020, however there is a medium risk of this not being achieved.

Phase 2 - Provision of storage attenuation at The Knowle. Discussions are ongoing with South West Water over the controlled discharge of attenuated flows back into the public surface water sewer. A planning application is to be submitted imminently for the creation of the storage attenuation area with the ground of the Knowle and, subject to approval, works are likely to commence early spring 2020 to take advantage of some drier periods.

Current estimates for the works are significantly higher than initially expected and therefore a variation is being prepared for submission for additional FDGiA. The partnership score is very good for the scheme and it has already been agreed through the SWRFCC Finance Sub-Committee that additional FDGiA should be considered in advance of any additional local levy being considered.

3.7 Chillington Flood Improvement Scheme As previously reported, we have a ‘shovel-ready’ scheme for Chillington but have been delayed due to negotiations with the landowner. Further discussions are underway, and it is hoped that works can be progressed for completion within this current financial year.

4.0 Updates from by 2nd Tier Authorities

4.1 East Devon District Council (EDDC) – Reported by Andrew Hancock

4.1.1 Recruitment EDDC have appointed a new Engineering Projects Manager, Tom Buxton-Smith, who will be starting on 9th October 2019. Tom is moving from his position at the Environment Agency (Manley House).

4.1.2 Feniton Flood Alleviation Scheme East Devon District Council has just been advised by Network Rail that Phase 3 of the Feniton Flood Alleviation Scheme cannot be undertaken as planned next month (October 2019).

Phase 3 involves a 52-hour weekend track closure to facilitate major excavation works to create a new culvert and the installation of a 1m drainage pipe beneath the rail track. The drainage pipe will connect up to the already completed phases 1 and 2 to take away any flood water from people and properties.

Because of unacceptable financial compensation risks to the council should these works overrun, Network Rail is managing phase 3 and has tendered the work on East Devon’s behalf. Having reviewed the delivery programmes submitted by the suppliers, Network Rail feels there would be an unacceptable risk to the hand back of the operational railway, which is subject to a strict time scale Page 4 of 5

Item 13 SWRFCC/19/41

Network Rail has advised the council that post tender negotiations with the suppliers are required, which means that the October track closure window will now be missed. This is so that they can secure the necessary assurances and clarification on construction methodologies, road closures and viable track management. Network Rail will now agree a new under track crossing (UTX) possession for carrying out the works.

Network Rail understandably needs to be satisfied that the chosen contractor can undertake the work to a standard that ensures the train timetable is not interrupted after the track closure. The consequence of work overrunning is hugely costly and both Network Rail and East Devon need to mitigate the risk of being fined if works overrun. East Devon is now prioritising finding a new future track closure date for the works and will consider how phase 4 of the scheme can be progressed, so that the entire project can be commissioned when the excavation work is complete.

The design work for Phase 4 was due to be undertaken this winter, with the actual construction of Phase 4 of the flood alleviation scheme taking place in spring 2020 when the weather is warmer (which means the work can be done more quickly with less disruption to local residents). Construction of the channels to intercept flood water upstream of the village, and construction of the remainder of the culvert to link the sections (phases 1 and 2) have already been completed.

4.2.2 Whimple Flood Improvement Scheme The recruitment of the new Engineering Projects Manager will assist in moving this project forward. Works are still anticipated for commencement in 2020, subject to ongoing negotiations with Network Rail.

4.2.3 Sidmouth Beach Management Scheme The Steering Group for the Sidmouth Beach Management Scheme has agreed to promote the preferred £9million option, subject to £3.2million of partnership funding being secured locally. The preferred option would involve beach replenishment, periodic beach recycling, a new rock groyne on East Beach, raising the height of the splash wall, and repairs to the training wall.

An application of approx. £5.7million of FDGiA is to be submitted to the Environment Agency, with a final outline business case, by August 2020. To date East Devon District Council (EDDC) has committed £500,000, Devon County Council has pledged £500,000 and Sidmouth Town Council £100,000. Potential contributions from other sources are estimated at between £0.25million and £1.25million. This includes money from utilities companies, South West Water, S106 contributions, Cliff Road residents, East Devon's housing service, a local levy, Sidmouth Lifeboat and the Keith Owen Fund. A further £0.85million to £1.85 million is still to be sourced.

4.2.4 Seaton Beach Management Scheme The Outline Businesss Case for a scheme to reduce the risk of erosion to 23 properties to the West of the Town has been drafted and is to be progressed further once the new Engineering Projects Manager takes up his new position.

Martin Hutchings Flood & Coastal Risk Manager Devon County Council Page 5 of 5

Information Classification: CONTROLLED Item 13b SWRFCC/19/42

Cornwall LLFA update for SWRFCC, October 2019

1 Cornwall Beach Dune Management Projects

1.1 Bude Summerleaze We are working with the EA and Bude Town Council to address issues at Summerleaze Beach and Dune management. This work may involve the decommissioning of some gabions that have been too successful at holding sand back, resulting in excessive dune growth and subsequent sand loss from the harbour.

1.2 Pentewan We are liaising with the EA over a staged approach to deliver flood and coastal erosion improvements at Pentewan through beach dune management works. We have secured £20k of CC funding and £10k private community funding for a design, costing and deliverability review to allow an OBC to be developed.

2 Property Flood Resilience (Delivery of Schemes) We still intend to deliver PFR using the Local Levy allocation and Cornwall Council Capital Project funding.

We would like to continue delivering PLR schemes on a rolling programme in future and are seeking capital grant internally to allow this to happen.

3 Defra PFR Pathfinder In June we submitted a bid to Defra for a Property Flood resilience (PFR) pathfinder project on “Boosting action to make homes and buildings more resilient to floods”. The bid was submitted on behalf of the SW RFCC region and, although led by Cornwall Council, it involves all five LLFAs in the SW RFCC region. In July we heard that ours was one of three projects nationally to be awarded the funding (£699k). Since then it has been a busy time setting up the project, with meetings in Truro, Bristol, Exeter, Birmingham and London.

The project will run until March 2021. It will rely heavily on delivery through both the Cornwall Community Flood Forum and the Devon Community Resilience forum. Other delivery partners include JBA Consulting, providing technical expertise, and the University of the West of England as Local Project Evaluators.

The project will provide update reports to the SW RFCC at future meetings.

We are currently advertising for a Programme Manager to coordinate the project. This project will be a major focus for Cornwall Council, and the other LLFAs, over the next 18 months.

4 Mount’s Bay Coastal Management Strategy Phase 3 Work on this wider strategy is now underway and will run until March 2021. The project will pull together all of the strands of work being planned to sustain the coastline at Mount’s Bay, from Marazion to Mousehole. It will lay out the Strategic Outline Case for future projects including “sandscaping” at Long Rock, and the EA’s vision for a re-profiled Promenade and defences at Wherrytown and take forward the SMP intent for Mount’s Bay.

A stakeholder and partnership group meeting is set to take place on 30 October 2019 with Cornwall Council, the Environment Agency and Natural England.

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Information Classification: CONTROLLED Item 13b SWRFCC/19/42 The work of the Penzance Harbour Breakwater Group is being wound up. This has developed an outline project for two outer harbour breakwaters to protect the historic harbour from storm damage and also to provide economic regeneration and improved maritime leisure facilities. This project would have a capital cost in the order of £100 million. We are presently considering the next steps in this potential major infrastructure project.

5 Long Rock Coastal Improvements Project This project involves a rock armour defence to the railway line and coastal path at Long Rock, in Mount’s Bay, and environmental/flood risk improvements to Marazion Marsh SPA. £2.7M FDGiA has been provided matched with £1M ERDF funding. The project is running from July 2017 until December 2020.

Work on the rock armour coastal defence element of the work was completed in August 2019 and a media launch took place (in wild weather conditions) on 16 August. https://cornishstuff.com/2019/08/16/long-rock-sea-defence-work-complete/

Construction of rock armour foundations. Much of the structure is out of sight beneath the sands

Rock armour above ground. The design has allowed for improved access to the beach as well as picnicking areas

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Information Classification: CONTROLLED Item 13b SWRFCC/19/42

On site for press launch. From L-R Andy Berryman Project Manager Cormac, Cllr. Sue Nicholas Council Member for Marazion, Dr Dave Watkins Flood and Coastal Resilience Cornwall Council, Simon Elliott Council Member for , Philip Rees Chair of the South West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, Justin Ridgewell Environment Agency, Cllr Rob Nolan, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Public Protection.

The Marazion Marsh element has undergone further changes in the project scope in terms of the interventions that are preferred by Natural England and the RSPB.

Further details can be found at the following link: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/longrock

The EA is a Delivery Partner on this project.

6 St Austell Resilient Regeneration (StARR) Project This £32 million project aims to reduce flood risk to communities living and working in the area, particularly in Par and St Blazey. The project takes an ambitious, multi-scheme integrated approach to managing flood risk from multiple sources with close partnership working between Cornwall Council, the Environment Agency, South West Water, Cornwall Development Company, and the University of Exeter. Interventions are selected on a catchment based approach using Natural Flood Management solutions where possible.

All funding has now been secured from a variety of sources. The delivery team are currently being appointed to manage the construction stages. Schemes are currently at technical design with planning submission commencing early 2020. The construction phase will take approximately 18 months with project completion expected March 2022.

Further details on the project can be found at the following link: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/starrproject

7 Coastal Erosion and Planning Guidance CC is in the process of providing guidance to Planners on developments proposed in areas vulnerable to coastal erosion and the designation of Coastal Change Management Areas.

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Information Classification: CONTROLLED Item 13b SWRFCC/19/42 A number of Neighbourhood Development Plans have expressed an intention to declare CCMAs and we are working with them to provide guidance on this. The Neighbourhood Plan has declared a CCMA and this was recently approved by the Planning Inspector. The plan has now been successfully adopted.

A Chief Planning Officer’s Note on Planning for Coastal Change has been prepared in draft and publicly consulted upon. We are currently considering the results of the consultation.

Through the recent declaration of a Climate Emergency, we will be producing a Climate Change DPD. Whilst this is primarily looking at carbon reduction and renewable energy there may be an opportunity to include coastal adaptation and coastal change management areas within this document. We are currently awaiting approvals to proceed with this route.

8 Devolution and Future Planning The Strategic Investment Plan is now been agreed by the Strategic Resilience Board for comment. It is currently being considered for submission to Full Council or Cabinet for approval.

Planning for the next steps (2021-2027) is set out in the graphic below.

Figure 1 Strategic investment in FCERM 2021-2027

9 Annual Report to Scrutiny Committee The FCERM Annual Report to the Council’s Neighbourhoods Overview and Scrutiny Committee was submitted in September and will go before the Committee on 3 October 2019. An informal meeting will take place immediately prior to the Committee meeting at which the Environment Agency and South West Water have been invited to present and answer questions on FCERM partnership working.

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Item 13c SWRFCC/19/43

SOUTH WEST REGIONAL FLOOD AND COASTAL COMMITTEE – 10 October 2019

COUNCIL OF THE ISLES OF SCILLY LLFA – Update

1.0 Works Update No physical construction works are in progress at the moment. The exposed geotextile on the seaward side of the defence at was successfully removed and the dune embankment is naturally realigning itself to a more stable state. The geotextile on the crest of the structure is still present and is supporting the growth of vegetation successfully. The geotextile that was removed has all been donated to a former art student from Falmouth University. She has created a wide portfolio of fashion and design items from recycled materials and is now in the process of setting up her own commercial studio.

Figure 1 – Examples of designs using recycled geotextile material from sea defences

Work continues on the expansion and finalisation of the business plan for the Sea Defence and Dune Management Project. Following the completion of the draft flood risk maps for the Islands, along with the water shortage issues in 2018, it is clear that there is an urgent need to expand actions and develop a longer term adaptive strategy for the islands. The climate change and water demand projections coupled with the islands’ water vulnerability issues pose a real threat to the sustainability of our island communities and their economy. Productive discussions continue with the Environment Agency and Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government to develop this enhanced project. The support from the Environment Agency is proving to be crucial in utilising the funds from the ERDF programme to match the proposed indicative projections from the FCERM MTP capital programme.

The specification for the Ground Penetrating Radar at critical locations across St Mary’s is virtually complete and will hopefully go out to tender in the near future. It is hoped that whilst on the island it will be possible to undertake surveys at as many as 6 separate locations giving a good baseline of the hidden condition of these defences. The support from the Coastal Monitoring team for this project is greatly appreciated.

At present we are welcoming the Plymouth Coastal Observatory team are on the islands from the 25th to 30th September to complete this year’s survey and look forward to discussing any local observations they may have at the end of this week.

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Item 13c SWRFCC/19/43

2.0 Flood Response Activity Weather warning were received for 30th June and 10th August but no flooding events were reported. On 16th August there was flooding of the Industrial Estate at Porthmellon on St Mary’s. This coincided with heavy rainfall and increasing tides, although not a high tide. It appears as though the prime cause was due to a blockage in the drainage system from the Industrial Estate into the Lower Moors. The stop planks located by the sewage treatment works typically dictate drainage rates for this area and these were not at capacity. Investigations and a review of the other interconnected drainage leats across the lower moors (which is also the primary catchment area for the water supply to St Mary’s) is being undertaken to identify potential blockages that may have contributed to the flood event.

Julian Pearce Senior Officer – Physical Assets and Natural Resources Council of the Isles of Scilly

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Item 13d SWRFCC/19/44

SWRFCC – Torbay Council Update October 2019

Since July 2019 Torbay Council has been working on the following flooding and coastal issues:

Torbay Coastal Defence Study

Following the completion of the Torbay Coastal Defence Study, Royal Haskoning DHV were commissioned by Torbay Council to investigate the possible options available for carrying out an adaptive approach to improving the coastal defences for the next twenty and fifty years. A number of options for each coastal defence have been modelled in order to identify the preferred option at each location. Further works have been undertaken using a risk based assessment of the acceptable overtopping rates for a number of alternative options at Paignton and Preston. This work looked at the options to increase the existing sea defence wall, provide a set back wall at the rear of the esplanade and provide a set back wall at the rear of Paignton and Preston Greens. The preferred option identified through these works is to provide a new set back wall at the rear of the esplanade (see following photographs of proposed option).

Preston Secondary Defence

Paignton Secondary Defence

The business case report for this scheme has been approved in August 2019 and detailed design works have commenced The current proposal is that a planning application will be submitted for the secondary set back walls at the rear of the esplanade later in this financial year. Item 13d SWRFCC/19/44

Collaton St Mary Flood Alleviation Scheme

Approval of the business case for Collaton St Mary flood alleviation scheme has been received and detailed design works are continuing. Discussions have been held with Torbay Highway’s with regards to the works across Totnes Road and they have confirmed that the works will have to be undertaken using two way temporary traffic signals.

Notices have been served on all the statutory undertakers and we are awaiting their responses regarding any diversion works that they will require to their apparatus as part of the scheme.

It is envisaged that the scheme will be tendered in October 2019 with works commencing on site in January 2020.

Victoria Breakwater,

Following the significant damage that occurred to the Victoria Breakwater in Brixham during Storm Emma in March 2018 Torbay Council have been successful in securing EU Fisheries Funding to undertake repair and strengthening works to the breakwater.

New rock armouring has now been placed on the outer face and bull nose of the breakwater. In addition the crest level of the breakwater has been increased by 500mm to provide additional flood protection to coastal properties surrounding Brixham harbour. All works were completed on site by the end of July 2019.

The overall cost of this scheme is in the sum of £3.75 million with £2 million being provided through the EU Fisheries Fund and the remaining funding coming from Torbay Council and £200k from the Environment Agency which will allow the EA to claim the OM2’s associated with this scheme.

New rock armour being placed on outer face of breakwater Item 13d SWRFCC/19/44

Raising level of breakwater outer face

Torquay Flood Alleviation Scheme

Torbay in partnership with South West Waters consultant are continuing with the assessment of various options for a flood alleviation scheme for Torquay town centre.

Options being considered include the separation of surface water from the existing combined sewer system in the upper catchment areas using sustainable drainage techniques, provision of additional above ground storage, the use of real time control within the sewer system to fully utilise the storage capacity within the sewer system, upsizing some sections of the existing network, installation of underground storage and the introduction of a new overflow that will only operate during significant storm events.

The major outcomes for this scheme will be the reduction of flooding to properties in Torquay town centre however, additional benefits may include the reduction in the frequency and volume of discharge from combined sewer overflows within the catchment. As a direct result of this reduction in discharges the quality of the receiving waters should improve.

Despite Torbay raising with SWW the issues relating to the delays in providing the results of the option evaluations SWW’s consultant have still not completed the evaluation of the various proposed options.

Provided these options identify a viable scheme the detailed business case report will be produced however due to the delay in the evaluation it is unlikely that works will commence on site this financial year and therefore it will not be possible to claim the OM2’s associated with this scheme during the current 6 year programme.

Updating the CIWEM Integrated Urban Drainage Modelling Guide

In 2009 CIWEM UDG (then known as WaPUG) prepared and published an Integrated Urban Drainage Modelling Guide (IUDMG). The purpose of this guide was to inform practitioners on the then emerging technologies for advanced flood modelling in urban areas, notably the use of linked 1d-2d models and the integration of models representing sewers, watercourses and the urban IItem 13d Swrfcc/19/44 surface. This was important at the time because of interest in the analysis of this type of flooding and the commissioning of Surface Water Management Plans.

The guide’s target audience was those commissioning or undertaking flood analysis projects for water companies, local authorities and bodies such as SEPA or the Environment Agency throughout the UK. In the subsequent decade, technologies and good practice have moved on considerably. In addition, new Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans (DWMP) require an enhanced level of partnership working to address flood risks of this nature and develop programmes for improved urban resilience.

CIWEM in conjunction with the Environment Agency have concluded that it is now time to refresh the IUDMG for the challenges and opportunities of the 2020s. CIWEM in a jointly funded project has commissioned Richard Allitt Associates working in conjunction with AECOM and other industry professionals to re-write the Integrated Urban Drainage Modelling Guide with a guideline publication date of next spring. The completed guide will be available on the CIWEM website for all users.

Dave Stewart of Torbay Council is representing all of the Lead Local Flood Authorities on the steering group for the re-write of the Integrated Urban Drainage Modelling Guide.

David Stewart

Service Manager Engineering - Torbay Council September 2019

Item 13e SWRFCC/19/45 Plymouth Local Flood Risk Management Strategy

South West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee Meeting Plymouth City Council LLFA Flood Scheme Update October 2019

1. Plymouth Integrated Urban Drainage Model Update SWW is required under the National Environment Programme (NEP) to complete an Integrated Urban Drainage (IUD) Study for Plymouth to reduce the impact of CSO's on Bathing Water Quality. A SWW/PCC/EA partnership steering group has been set up to identify opportunities for delivering multiple benefits associated with the IUDM works. SWW have completed Phase 1 preliminary site investigations (Impermeable Area/Manhole/Flow/Cross Section Surveys) in the SWW Central, Marsh Mills and Radford catchments and have started to produce Drainage Model outputs for joint assessment. Preliminary scheme proposals have been identified in the key flood risk areas in Plymouth, including the Lipson/Laira and Plympton areas and option evaluation including the assessment of storing surface water in green spaces and assessing the capacity of receiving watercourses as shown below, has been completed and initial cost benefit assessments for identified preferred options is underway with the first IUDM project at Pomphlett Road/Ronsdale Close now on site with completion in Spring 2019.

Ronsdale Close Flood Alleviation Scheme, Plymstock, Plymouth. Extract from Press Release: The £1.4million scheme to protect homes and roads from flooding in Plymstock started in March.

The project is being jointly funded by South West Water, the Environment Agency and Plymouth City Council. This is because they are separately responsible for public sewers, watercourses and highways drainage respectively – all of which have contributed to historic flooding in Plymstock.

The scheme includes:

• Installing 240 metres of new surface water sewers along Pomphlett Road, Ronsdale Close and Grove Road

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Item 13e SWRFCC/19/45 Plymouth Local Flood Risk Management Strategy

• Installing 100 metres of pipe to connect to a new surface water sewer • Using a specialist tunnelling machine to lay a new 120-metre surface water sewer, connected to the surface water outfall on the Plym Estuary • Upgrading 260 metres of combined sewer along Ronsdale Close • Relining a further 50 metres of sewer

The improvements will protect 22 homes with a history of internal sewer flooding in and around Pomphlett Road and Ronsdale Close as well as Pomphlett Methodist Church, which regularly reports external flooding.

In addition to increasing capacity in the sewers, removing surface water from the combined sewerage network will reduce the frequency of stormwater overflows into the Plym Estuary. The new surface water sewers will also reduce surface water flooding on local road These works are now substantially complete.

Photo above shows the tunnel boring machine, used to install a section of the new 1.2m diameter surface water sewer.

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Item 13e SWRFCC/19/45 Plymouth Local Flood Risk Management Strategy

2. Local Flood Risk Management Strategy Update

Plymouth City Council’s Local Flood risk management strategy (LFRMS) has now been revised and updated and is available to view on the City Council’s Flooding website page here: https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/emergencies/severeweather/flooding Environment Agency data indicates that up to 6% of homes in Plymouth are at risk from flooding during a 1 in 100 year event. This flooding is expected to increase in severity and frequency as a result of the sea level rise and extreme weather predicted as a result of climate change. Plymouth needs to be prepared for, and resilient to these changes. In addition, growth in Plymouth, leading to construction of more homes, business units and roads needs careful management to prevent surface water flooding problems.

This document provides an overview of flood risks for the City and a non-technical summary of the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy produced for managing them in accordance with the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, and the Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan (DEV35). https://plymswdevonplan.co.uk/policy/so11/dev35

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Item 13e SWRFCC/19/45 Plymouth Local Flood Risk Management Strategy

The Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS) is produced by Plymouth City Council as Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA). Other Risk Management Authorities (RMAs) collaborating with Plymouth City Council to manage flooding are the Environment Agency (EA) and South West Water (SWW). Responsibilities for managing flood risk across the city are assigned as follows:

• Tidal - A and PCC (LLFA) • Fluvial (rivers) - EA (main rivers) and PCC (ordinary watercourses) • Surface water - PCC (LLFA) • Public Sewers - SWW • Groundwater - LLFA

The Plymouth LFRMS sets out the principles by which these RMAs will manage these risks, namely:

• Effective planning of new development, taking current and future flood risk into account • The improved management of surface water for future developments • Ensuring Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) meet PCC and national design criteria. • A consistent standard of flood defence, within practical and financial limitations

This document is supported by the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy Part 2 – Technical Guide.

3. City Centre Drainage Corridors- Municipal Action Plan

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Item 13e SWRFCC/19/45 Plymouth Local Flood Risk Management Strategy

3.1 Plymouth City Council (PCC) HAS commissioned the services of an experienced consultant to prepare firstly a Municipal Action Plan for the retrofit of Sustainable Urban Drainage (SUDS) in Plymouth City Centre and secondly a series of three Area Drainage Studies for 3 forth-coming planned public realm projects which will deliver SUDs interventions. The team have demonstrable experience of similar work, understand the particular challenges relevant to Plymouth with its growth agenda, and be able to disseminate the work in a clear and concise way to capture the main audiences which will be non- technical.

3.2 The Municipal Action Plan will adhere to the hierarchy set out in the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy, outlining how surface water will be separated from foul flows in a separate drainage system in the city centre delivering an entire network of surface water sewers for the city in partnership with South West Water (SWW) and the Environment Agency (EA). This will address the critical drainage area status within the city centre and to allow the city to develop with alternative uses other than retail and commercial delivering in particular residential accommodation.

3.3 The three Area Drainage Studies are: a). Old Town Street/ New George Street,

b). The Civic Square,

c). Royal Parade to Millbay Boulevard via Derry’s Cross and Union Street.

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Item 13e SWRFCC/19/45 Plymouth Local Flood Risk Management Strategy

These Area Drainage Studies will be used to inform the future design of the public realm in the projects identified above, they will similarly follow the hierarchy set out in the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy and that developed further in the Municipal Action Plan

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ENVIRONMENT AGENCY DEVON, CORNWALL AND THE ISLES OF SCILLY Item 14 SWRFCC/19/46 South West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (RFCC)

Minutes from the meeting of the South West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee held on Thursday 11th July 2019 at Business Centre.

ATTENDANCE MEMBERS PRESENT APPOINTED BY/ REPRESENTING Philip Rees Chairman John Cocker Coastal Processes Laurence Couldrick Nature & Conservation Chris Jones Agriculture, Farming & Land Management Mark Worsfold Water Companies & Utilities Martyn Alvey Inland Flooding Cllr Stuart Hughes Devon County Council Cllr Ron Peart Devon County Counicl Cllr Andrew Eastman (deputy for Cllr Croad) Devon County Council Cllr Rob Nolan Cornwall Council Cllr Ray Hill Torbay Council Cllr Sue Dann Plymouth City Council

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY POSITION Ben Johnstone Area Flood & Coastal Risk Manager Zoe Smith SWRFCC Secrtariat

LEAD LOCAL FLOOD AUTHORITIES OFFICERS AUTHORITY Martin Hutchings Devon County Council Paul Minshull (deputy for Dave Watkins) Cornwall Council Andy Cottam Plymouth City Council Dave Stewart Torbay Council Richard Behan South West Water

OBSERVERS Cllr Pam Buchan (Plymouth City Council)

ACROYNMNS The following acronyms are used in these minutes: . DCIS – Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly . FSG – Finance sub-group . IOS – Isles of Scilly . ESG – Environment sub-group . (FD)GiA – (Flood Defence) Grant in Aid . PLR – Property Level Resilience . LA – Local Authorities . NFM – Natural Flood Management . RFCC – Regional Flood and Coastal Committee . MMO – Marine Management Organisation . FAS – Flood Alleviation Scheme . FY – Financial Year . FDS – Flood Defence Scheme . SMP – Shoreline Management Plans . RMAs – Risk Management Authorities South West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee from here onwards is referred to as the Committee.

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ENVIRONMENT AGENCY DEVON, CORNWALL AND THE ISLES OF SCILLY Item 14 SWRFCC/19/46 (39/19). APOLOGIES Apologies for absence were received from the following members: Luci Issacson (Business Interests), Paul Cottingham (Agriculture, Farming & Land Management), Peter Downs (Nature & Conservation), Roger Croad (Devon County Council), Paul Crabb (Devon County Council), Dominic Fairman (Cornwall Council), Carolyn Rule (Cornwall Council), Steve Sims (Council of Isles of Scilly), Dave Watkins (Cornwall Council), Julien Pearce (Council of Isles of Scilly), Helen Dobby (Environment Agency), Jenny Hart (Environment Agency)

(40/19). DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS

 No interests were declared.

AGENDA / DISCUSSION ITEMS Item Item Topic Discussion Points 2 (41/19) The Chairman presented his update report and noted the following to Committee members:  The strategic review by the Environment Agency closed last week and the level of Chairman’s Report both response and support was noted to be substantial.  The DEFRA flood and coast policy consultation and evidence period closes on 19th August. All members are encouraged to use the opportunity to comment and influence this policy  PR19 outcome (budgeting for post 2021) announcement due in autumn 2019. The Environment Agency has continued to establish a forward plan in the result of a 6- year programme deal announcement. The forward planning has enabled further recognition of the future funding gap for a pipeline programme which cannot be fully solved by partnership funding.  The Partnership Funding and FDGiA mechanisms for funding are unlikely to be significantly changed until after the next pipeline programme.  The Committee were reminded the South West and Wessex RFCC Chairman represent Assets on the RFCC Chairs which enables a platform for commenting on partnership funding, maintenance of existing and orphan assets and the mismatch between central government funding and pressures on RMA budgets.  The Chairman has attended the following meetings; South West Coastal Group, Devon Community Resilience Forum, Flood and Coast Exhibition, Coastal Practitioners, RFCC Chairs, Soils event  Sir James Bevan (Chief Executive of the Environment Agency) visited DCIS area in the last quarter.  John Curtin (Director of FCRM at the Environment Agency) is due to attend the October SWRFCC meeting

QUESTIONS  Cllr Eastman enquired on the ongoing issues with coastal erosion and landfill at Westward Ho! and how the issue plans to be resolved. The Chairman advised Cllr Eastman that discussions on the topic of coastal erosion and landfill sites are ongoing at the Coastal Group and have been recognised at a national scale. The difficulty remains in lack of funding to address these issues nationally, with allocated funding ultimately being attributed to prioritisation across the country. Ben Johnstone advised a meeting has been organised in August to discuss and explore this issue further. 3a (42/19) Ben Johnstone presented on the 2018/19 position and 2019/20 financial year progress: 2018/2019 Financial &  End of 2018/19 FY DCIS spent more than allocated, however this was previously Business Planning – agreed with the National team Current Year  18/19 FY targets were exceeded for OM2/3 (homes better protected) contributions Progress 2019/20  Target bottom-line budget for 19/20 remains at £19.9m

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ENVIRONMENT AGENCY DEVON, CORNWALL AND THE ISLES OF SCILLY Item 14 SWRFCC/19/46  Currently forecasting £2.8m (15%) over bottom-line budget, however National team is aware DCIS has a number of schemes with both ring-fenced and additional funding therefore the ability for DCIS to manage back to the bottom-line is more constrained  19/20 is the first year RMA budgets will be given to the area to manager (previously the budget was managed as a national pot)  Forecasting ~1,900 OM2/3 contributions in 19/20 with the target of ~2,000  9,653 homes have been delivered 2015-2018 so far  3,247 homes are linked to projects which are in construction  555 homes remain uncertain and are being discussed within the Environment Agency’s Delivery Board  Environment Agency budget pressure in 19/20 is £2.8m. This is mainly attributed to ~50% forecast costs increasing (Exeter FDS is £1.6m of this total pressure) and additional projects that require undertaking due to public safety such as reservoirs work.  RMA budget pressure in 19/20 is £5.9m 2020/2021 REFRESH  The Refresh process is underway for 2020/2021 and is enabling future funding gaps to be identified, which will help to facilitate DEFRA future funding discussions  DCIS aims for ~£40m each year  The first return of the Refresh to DCIS area will be the Indicative Allocation due in September. This will provide DCIS with a bottom-line budget figure for 2020/2021. This will be brought to Local Choices in October where Committee members will have flexibility of the schemes but will be ultimately constrained by the bottom-line budget which cannot be exceeded.  Initial figures indicating further funding required in 2020/21 is low, therefore there remains confidence in delivery in the final year of the 6 year programme.  Beyond 2021 initial figures from the Refresh indicate significant funding gaps and supports the concern for partnership funding in the future.  Cllr Dann enquired on the impacts of not securing all future funding. Ben Johnstone advised a figure will be provided on the number of homes that will not be protected/ protected to a desired level due to unaffordable schemes will be available.  There has been a small increase in strategy type projects which will be important for identifying issues and planning for the future within DCIS  DEFRA funding discussions remain ongoing. It is likely in the future the flood and coastal protection programme will shift to both capital maintenance and coastal protection schemes.  Laurence Couldrick enquired on the low number of environmental schemes across the programme. Ben Johnstone advised many environmental outcomes are captured within the capital maintenance and defence schemes  ~10,000 homes that could be better protected from flood and coastal erosion in DCIS have been identified for the next pipeline programme (based on a 6 year programme being agreed). The reduction from the 2015-2021 target is due to schemes being more complex and affordability based on the current partnership funding rules.

ACTION  Ben Johnstone to investigate a small FDGiA contribution for Victoria Breakwater which is delivering 40 OM2

VOTE  The Committee approved the 2020/21 Refresh bid to be submitted to National. 3c (43/19)  The Local Levy programme indicates a balance below £0 in 2020/21. This is not allowed. However it is unlikely that the River Fleet project will be drawing down its Business Planning £500k allocation, therefore resolving this issue. Local Levy Programme

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ENVIRONMENT AGENCY DEVON, CORNWALL AND THE ISLES OF SCILLY Item 14 SWRFCC/19/46

LOCAL LEVY BID VOTES  Helston (River Cober) bid for £207k risk pot was approved by Committee on the condition that if the risk is not realised the Local Levy funds will be the first returned.  Polperro Tide Gate bid for £182k risk pot was approved by Committee on the condition that if the risk is not realised the Local Levy funds will be the first returned.  Ugborough Surface Water bid for £30k was approved. 4 (44/19) Laurence Couldrick provided a verbal update:  The Devon and Cornwall Soils Alliance launch has received interest from ~200 people. Environment sub- Emma Howard-Boyd attended the soils update launch. The main initiative of the group update alliance is to build soil capacity, which in turn will assist to reduce muddy flood events during high rainfall.  An NFM event is being organised to consider the practicality of schemes  A Catchment Partnership in Devon event is coming up  An Integrated Planning event is being organised for Autumn 2019 which will have an area level focus  The water resilience event held in Totnes is coming up on 12th September  The importance of Net Gain and Biodiversity in future flood protection was noted. Net Gain and Biodiversity will be essential components for flood protection through either being the main mechanism for protection, or by complimenting hard engineered schemes.  NFM is important to both increase the resilience of a catchment but can also increase the resilience of a hard engineered defence  Laurence Couldrick requested any questions or challenges relating to the environment or the work of the environment sub-group are welcomed and noted the importance of the relationship between the environment sub-group and the SWRFCC as a two way relationship  Cllr Hill noted that 81% of landscape within DCIS is farmed but the majority of issues occur where solutions can also be found

ACTIONS  Tom Dauben advised the Committee that DCIS has entered to be part of the new OM4 (environment outcome measures) trial. This will be tested on the DCIS programme. Any officers who have projects they would like to consider as part of this trial are to get in touch with Tom Dauben. 5 (45/19) John Cocker provided an update on the Coastal Group:  The coastal monitoring programme in the South West remains on target with Coastal Group additional funding received. Update  The South West Coastal Group provided a joint response to the FCERM Strategy consultation. The top response comments included: (1) The South West Coastal Group fully supports the Draft Strategy (2) DEFRA and the Environment Agency need to provide the resources to assist RMAs to deliver (3) Concerns were noted regarding poverty discrimination linked to the current partnership funding mechanism (4) The strategy is too loose and needs more detail (5) The strategy focuses heavily on rising sea level however also needs to consider ground water, tide locking and other issues. (6) All defence assets that perform a function need to be addressed in the strategy, regardless of whether the defence was an intentional aspect of design.  Trigger based SMP is important for identifying trends and forecasting timelines of action & prioritisation  Community sustainability is the focus for the future as opposed to solely homes better protected. Government needs to consider the socio-economic impacts on communities.

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ENVIRONMENT AGENCY DEVON, CORNWALL AND THE ISLES OF SCILLY Item 14 SWRFCC/19/46  Cllr Hughes welcomed the SMP views from the Coastal Group and enquired on consideration for SSSIs and cultural heritage as part of the wider sustainability of communities. John Cocker advised the review will consider the environment, infrastructure, individual dwellings and businesses protected.  Laurence Couldrick enquired on engagement plans with communities regarding future sea level rise. Ben Johnstone noted the climate change conversation should be happening now. 3 RMAs within DCIS have declared a climate emergency and the RMAs and Environment Agency need to link the work they are doing to collaborate and provide resources. It was noted the SWRFCC should help to provide the consistency so there is one message from the DCIS area.  Cllr Dann reminded the committee that Plymouth City Council has declared a climate emergency and enquired on who will provide the engagement and what the trigger points are. Ben Johnstone noted the discussions and engagements with any vulnerable community should be happening now.  The Chairman noted the underestimation by the Environment Agency on human resource to undertake resilience and engagement work in his response to the FCERM strategy consultation. The Chairman also noted the current skills gap for engagement with communities.  Cllr Nolan noted the costs to deal with and provide resilience against climate change impacts is highly concerning.  Cllr Buchan requested all measures of resilience are discussed during engagement with communities.

ACTIONS  Secretariat to send out background papers on the Coastal Group to new members on SWRFCC relationship, The Regional Monitoring Programme and the Shoreline Management Plan. 6a (46/19) Tom Dauben presented information on the new Flood Risk Management Plan and Flood Explorer Tool Flood Risk  There will be a consolation period at the end of the planning process post March 2021 Management Plans  Invites sent out to all RMAs regarding the tool and Flood Risk  A web-based portal has been created for the Flood Plan Explorer which will be the go- Explorer Tool to portal for all flood risk management in a given location  The tool provides an opportunity to link flooding issues to , growth and infrastructure  The deadline for production for the Flood Risk Management Plan 2 is June 2020. This provides an opportunity to integrate the aims of RMAs and the Environment Agency  The Plan could provide an opportunity to create a place-based plan (multi-RMA) which may assist with funding gap discussions by considering the issues collectively  The Flood Risk Management Plan is a living document therefore the information and detail on a project can be changed when required, leaving the plan up-to-date

ACTION  Any feedback and requests to be involved are to be discussed with Tom Dauben 6b (47/19) Mark Worsfold presented the Northumbria case study on Integrated Drainage Partnership with a view to look to implement a similar approach in the South West. Integrated drainage  The Northumbria Integrated Drainage Partnership is an integrated approach to partnership in the investing in flood risk reduction which focuses on collaboration and identifying South West priority catchments.  Two stages; (1) collate data from partners to identify priorities. (2) Integrate model and identify options and cost estimates.  The model could provide an opportunity to maximise FDGiA benefits for partners and communities.  Northumbria partnership resulted in 75% FDGiA funding 10 schemes with a £9m investment, which delivered over 1,000 OM2/3 in return.

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ENVIRONMENT AGENCY DEVON, CORNWALL AND THE ISLES OF SCILLY Item 14 SWRFCC/19/46  The approach meets the requirements of the Flood & Water Management Act 2010 and would be an opportunity to invest in the pipeline programme  DEFRA launched a consultation in January 2019 on Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans becoming statutory  Across DCIS there are 22 catchments areas to be addressed  A proposal was put forward to the Committee to consider how the South West could adopt this approach. RMA officers were asked to consider resources and the potential opportunities of this proposal. A further discussion will take place at a future meeting to feedback responses.  Andy Cottam noted the approach was similar to the existing approach currently taking place in Plymouth which has provided collective benefits.  Laurence Couldrick enquired on the inclusion of River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) within the Northumbria Plan. The RBMP is not currently in the Northumbria plan, but there would be an opportunity to incorporate RBMPs in the South West and develop a dedicated team.

ACTIONS  The Chairman proposed SWW officers work with RMA officers to develop a proposal, on the basis an agreement can be reached, which can be presented at the October committee meeting. 7 (48/19) Ben Johnstone provided an update on the flood defence and resilience work within DCIS.  The Calstock scheme was noted to be an important project on the Tamar where the Area Flood & flood banks are deteriorating and likely to collapse. A scheme has been proposed to Coastal Risk resolve the risk and create an inter-tidal habitat. The planning application has been Management approved with a condition for the Environment Agency to construct and maintain in Report perpetuity a footbridge across the breach. The footpath would not be sustainable and would require the Environment Agency to fund ongoing maintenance commitments. Therefore at present as it stands, the Environment Agency will not be committing to this scheme. The Agency is currently working with Cornwall Council to resolve this and the funding for the scheme is only granted for this financial year, therefore if not progressed this year the project will not go ahead. Cllr Nolan noted he will be asking Cornwall Council to support an amendment to this planning response.  The Exmouth scheme has begun on-site construction  The and Cockwood scheme received an institution award  The Chairman is due to attend the upcoming opening of Portreath Sea Wall.  Local authorities were encouraged to consider Coastal Change Management Areas and the possibility of extending this to Fluvial Change Management Areas.

ACTIONS  Ben Johnstone to email local authority representatives on the climate emergency and whether this can be a mechanism for future Local Levy support from councils. 8 (49/19) Martin Hutching’s updated the Committee on Devon Council flood schemes (please see item 9a in the main report) with key highlights being: Devon County  The Stokeinteignhead scheme has been identified to be unaffordable with climate Council update change report  The PLR scheme is continuing to engage with communities and the allocated local levy is still required.  The Sidmouth scheme is currently delayed due to existing services, however the aim is to be on-site by December this year  The Ivybridge scheme remains delayed due to landowner issues  The Strategy due for renewal in 2020 will consider long-term investment plans using a catchment based approach and look to embed natural capital  Devon Council is holding a SUDS event in October 2019. All RMAs, local planners, consultants and developers have been invited. The event will provide an opportunity for RMAs to share best practice.

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ENVIRONMENT AGENCY DEVON, CORNWALL AND THE ISLES OF SCILLY Item 14 SWRFCC/19/46 9 (50/19) Paul Minshull update the Committee on Cornwall Council projects (please see item 9b in the main report) with key highlights being: Cornwall Council  It has been identified that a wider strategy for the Bude catchment is required update report  The application for DEFRA pathfinder funding for the PFR has been submitted, with a response due at the end of July  The Chairman thanked Dave Watkins on behalf of the committee for the work on PFR.  Additional funding has been secured for the wider strategy work for Mounts Bay  A programme manager is now in-situ for the StARR scheme and work is progressing  The outline business case for Coverack is being written up  The consultation on ‘Planning for Coastal Change’ is live and closes on July 22nd  The Council has begun developing its forward programme from 2021 onwards  The Council has been asked to provide evidence to the EFRA Committee on Climate Change Coastal Adaptation  The Council provided a response to the FCERM national strategy consultation 10 (51/19) Andy Cottam provided an update on Plymouth Council schemes (please see item 9d in the main report) with key highlights being: Plymouth City  The Ronsdale Close project is in construction and progressing well Council update  The detailed design for the West Pier scheme is being developed which will provide report protection against overtopping 11 (52/19) Dave Stewart provided an update on Torbay Council projects (please see item 9e in the main report) with key highlights being: Torbay Council  Collaton St. Mary scheme has claimed the funding for this financial year both FDGiA update report and Local Levy  Victoria Breakwater is near completion and 40 OM2/3 could be claimed provided a small amount of FDGiA is allocated.  Torquay flood study is not in a position to write the outline business case due to costing and options still being undertaking to identify the viability of the scheme. An alternative such as PLR may need to be considered  A few new schemes have been added to the pipeline

12 (53/19) Please see item 9c in the main report for further information.

Council of Isles of Scilly update report 13 (54/19) Richard Behan provided an update from South West Water (please see item 9f in the main report) with key highlights being: South West Water  Ofwat responded ‘minded-to’ agree on the licence for South West Water to be update report extended on the Isles of Scilly. This will be subject to amendments to the Water Act in Parliament  Exmouth Regents Gate is complete and vegetation has begun establishing  The Kingsbridge project has begun modelling options for 2021 onwards  Lanhydrock Road detailed design has begun  The modelling work has begun on the Penryn scheme 14 (55/19) . The Committee signed off the minutes from the April meeting with no amendments Minutes from April 2019 15 (56/19) Please see Actions within the minutes and the Matters Arising sheet for any individual actions. Matters Arising 16 (57/19) . Committee members are requested to consider key issues they would like to raise to Forward Look the Head of FCRM who is attending the next meeting . Focus on coastal communities for the October meeting . Local Choices and Local Levy Vote in October

(58/19) AOB

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ENVIRONMENT AGENCY DEVON, CORNWALL AND THE ISLES OF SCILLY Item 14 SWRFCC/19/46 (59/19) DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS SWRFCC Full Committee Location Site Visit Thursday 10th October 2019 TBC TBC (N.B. This will be the Local Levy Vote) Thursday 9th January 2020 Roadford Workshop/ Induction Session

Finance Sub-Group Meetings Location Wednesday 2nd October Roadford Reservoir – (N.B. This will be the Local Choices meeting) Monday 9th December Roadford Reservoir

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Information Paper 1

FCERM update paper September 2019

Planning for the future

Government pledges £6m extra funding for flood defences The new Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers has announced a new round of flood defence investment for communities across Yorkshire, Cumbria, the North East and the South East of England.

Thirteen projects across England will benefit from a share of over £62 million, many of which are located in communities which suffered from flooding during winter 2015.

In total, more than 9,004 homes will be better protected against flooding through this round of funding. The extra funding is in addition to the £2.6 billion to better protect 300,000 homes across the country.

You can find more information

here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-pledges-62m-flood-funding-for-communities-in- england

The 6 year capital investment programme We are approaching the final 18 months of our 6 year capital investment programme and we remain on track to deliver our target of 300,000 homes better protected from flooding and coastal erosion by March 2021. To date, the Environment Agency and other Risk Management Authorities (RMAs) have better protected 195,000 homes. This is a significant achievement by all those involved. We have also secured a total of £548m partnership funding contributions to date within the current 6 year programme. We are confident we will secure the remaining partnership funding contributions required and meet our settlement condition of 10% capital efficiencies over the life of the programme. We remain confident we will reach our target of better protecting 300,000 homes by 2021. However, we will continue to work together with our partners across the country to manage capital programme delivery and put in place interventions to ensure a successful outcome. We are in the midst of the annual programme refresh which will ensure the final year of the programme remains affordable and achieves the 300,000 homes target.

1 of 8 Contact: [email protected]

Draft FCERM Strategy 2100 consultation - Outcome and next steps On 9 May 2019 we launched our consultation on the draft national flood and coastal erosion risk management (FCERM) strategy for England. This marked the culmination of engagement with over 90 organisations. We received significant interest in the consultation, including numerous press and trade articles. When it closed on 4 July, we had received 400 external and 88 internal responses. We also received 40 letters from organisations with further comments. Overall findings show: • strong support for the vision and ambitions from a range of stakeholders and partners (78%) • a keen interest in the implementation of the strategy • agreement that although the strategy is ambitious many stakeholders would like it to go further We are now using the consultation responses to strengthen the strategy further. We have identified priority recommendations which we plan to test with our key external partners and internal teams in September. We plan to lay the strategy before parliament later this year and publish the final national strategy for England in spring 2020. Contact: [email protected]

Spending Review 2019 We are working with teams across the Environment Agency to develop funding scenarios for consideration in Spending Review 2019 (SR19). HM Treasury have now formally confirmed a one year spending round by the end of September to set departmental budgets for 2020/21, with the next multi-year spending review to be carried out in 2020. The announcement is here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor- fast-tracks-spending-round-to-free-up-departments-to-prepare-for-brexit. We are informally hearing of the possibility for a longer term settlement for some elements of capital related to infrastructure – flood and coastal risk could be a strong candidate for this. We continue to plan for a long term settlement and our one year submission for 2020/21 is the first stage of our longer term bid. We are listening to feedback particularly related to changes to the partnership funding rules and key outcomes of a future investment programme. Discussions are ongoing with Defra colleagues. Contact: [email protected]

Autumn Budget Statement 2018 Programme Following the announcement of funding last year, the Environment Agency has made significant progress in the delivery of the Autumn Statement 2018 programme. This includes 3 major projects with a total value of £12.5m that will allow us to: • Expand the provision of flood warnings to the 26,000 properties at high risk of flooding from ordinary watercourses, rivers and the sea across England that currently don’t have access to flood warnings. The additional services will be delivered by March 2022 and will give people the information they need to prepare and take timely action to reduce the impacts of floods on their health, property and personal belongings. Environment Agency teams will be working with colleagues in Local Resilience Forums (LRFs) and Regional Flood and Coastal Committees (RFCCs) over the coming months to plan for the introduction of these services over the next 2-3 years.

2 of 8 • The boosting action on surface water project will deliver a number of the actions identified in Defra’s Surface Water Management Action Plan. One of these is to produce updated/improved local surface water mapping information in key areas. We will shortly be inviting Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) to apply for grants so that they can increase the coverage of detailed local surface water mapping in priority areas, increasing their understanding of local flood risk. This will help LLFAs fulfil their statutory duties through improved local flood risk management in incidents, for long term planning and supporting improvements in understanding national risks. • The boosting action to make homes and buildings more resilient to floods project has recently completed a competitive selection process to identify 3 regional property resilience Pathfinders. These were announced by Therese Coffey MP and the 3 projects have each been allocated funding up to £700,000. The projects aim to increase awareness and uptake of flood resilience measures and the successful bids were: o Yorkshire Future Flood Resilience Pathfinder (led by City of York Council) o Ox-Cam Pathfinder (led by Northamptonshire County Council) o South West Pathfinder (led by Cornwall County Council).

Contact: [email protected]

Incident management

Toddbrook Reservoir – Whaley Bridge Toddbrook Reservoir spillway partially collapsed on 1 August 2019. Derbyshire Police declared a major incident and led the response, evacuating over 300 homes and businesses from Whaley Bridge.

We supported the incident management and response by: • Providing flood risk forecasting following successive periods of heavy rainfall (200mm of rainfall fell over a 4 day period, much of it over two 6 hour periods) • issuing a severe flood warning to 171 properties for the River Goyt due to potential catastrophic failure of the reservoir • providing hydrological and flood modelling expertise to government, the LRF and the and Rivers Trust (CRT), so they could develop a management plan • co-ordinating national support for the local incident including staff, providing pipework and pumps for the response • Supporting the local community and local resilience forum in the co-ordinated response.

Pumping brought down the water level of the reservoir, owned and operated by the Canal and Rivers Trust and residents were allowed to return to their properties on 7 August 2019. Our contribution was recognised in a letter from the Prime Minister.

We continue to assist the recovery operation by supporting Derbyshire Strategic Recovery Group and the CRT. We provided forecast reservoir levels throughout the operation and are helping CRT to develop their capabilities to make these themselves.

All 214 statutory reservoirs we oversee were inspected between 5 and 11 August 2019. We are tracking the observations to ensure they are all assessed and acted upon. In addition we are asking all reservoir undertakers (approximately 800) to confirm the action they’ve taken since the Toddbrook incident.

On 3 September Theresa Villiers MP commissioned an independent review which will investigate what might have led to the damage, whether there was anything that could have prevent or predicted it and identify any lessons learned.

Contact: [email protected] or [email protected]

3 of 8 Summer flooding

Lincolnshire Two and half times the monthly average rainfall fell in the Lincolnshire area over 3 days between 10 and 12 June 2019. There was 130mm of rain over the area over a very short period of time, almost double the 68mm of rain in 2007 (a notable year for river flooding in Lincolnshire). This led to a greater volume of water running off the Wolds which exceeded the storage capacity of the River Steeping and resulted in the system being overwhelmed. A flood relief channel was overtopped resulting in a breach in the channel defence and flooding to adjacent land. 59 properties were flooded in Wainfleet, as well as 59 other properties across the rest of the area.

Yorkshire On 30 July 2019, a line of storms stretching from Malham to Ripon in Yorkshire developed in the early afternoon and moved north westerly as the afternoon progressed. Reeth and the Arkle Beck were located in the centre of this storm cell which persisted for a number of hours. In 3 hours there was 112 mm of rainfall leading to exceptional flooding. This is twice the average total rainfall for July and rainfall of this magnitude is a 1 in 1000 years event. All local watercourses responded to the rainfall.

The rainfall caused a number of landslips onto roads and a bridge suffered serious damage, as well as flooding to farmland within specific areas of North Yorkshire. Initial reports are 30 confirmed flooded properties and up to 90 properties potentially flooded. The Fire and Rescue Service effected 6 water rescues.

Flood action campaign We are revamping the flood action campaign to be even better and bigger this year. Last year’s campaign resulted in 72% of our target age group of 18-34s able to recall at least one action from our Prepare Act Survive flood plan, smashing through our target of 50%. This year, we are again focussing on knowing what to do in a flood, but broadening our audience to target all those who are at risk but have never flooded, drivers, young people and those who rent their homes.

We’ve got a new look for this year, with the strapline ‘What the Flood?’ and will run a fixed flood campaign week in November, date to be confirmed in the coming weeks. Partners supporting us include Sainsbury’s, ITV News and Weather, the National Union of Students and Flood Re. It will again be a mix of paid-for social content, owned social and PR.

Contact: [email protected]

Environment Agency flood warnings are among the first to go live on Google’s Public Alerts in Europe All Flood Alerts, Flood Warnings and Severe Flood Warnings in England now appear on Google Public Alerts: https://google.org/publicalerts.

This exciting development means that more people will see vital flood warning information. Our warnings will be more visible and will target those who need it most by using location information. Users of Google platforms will receive an alert if they pass through an affected area and warnings will appear as a top result when searching for an affected area.

Google Public Alerts have already been rolled out in the USA, South America and parts of Asia to alert residents to environmental emergencies such as earthquakes, wildfires and extreme temperatures.

The Environment Agency and Defra have been working closely with Google to design and implement this service. A joint press release with Google has been released and a Defra Digital blog is available here: https://defradigital.blog.gov.uk/2019/08/08/first-authority-in-uk-to-partner-with-google-public- flood-alerts/ We continue to work with Google to make continuous improvements to this service.

Contact: [email protected]

4 of 8 The Flood Forecasting Centre is 10 years old The Flood Forecasting Centre (FFC) is a successful working partnership between the Environment Agency and the Met Office, bringing together world-leading Meteorological and Hydrological science to create the best possible flood forecasting information used by government, local resilience communities and category 1 and 2 emergency responders to keep the public safe. In April 2019 the FFC marked 10 years of operational service and improvement work.

We are celebrating this with a number of activities including an Anniversary Flood Forecasting User Group on 4 October 2019 at the Met Office HQ in Exeter, where the FFC is based. Invitations have been accepted by Sir James Bevan (CE Environment Agency) and Prof Penelope Endersby (CE Met Office) with the chairs of both organisations also expected to attend.

This event will provide the opportunity to look at how far the FFC has come in terms of operational capability and scientific development. We will showcase our key successes whilst looking to the future against a backdrop of climate change and economic development.

Spaces are available on a limited basis for interested members of the RFCCs. Please contact Russell Turner at the FFC for more information on the anniversary event. russell.turner@environment- agency.gov.uk

Working with others

Natural Flood Management (NFM) reverse auction tool update The Catchment Funding team have developed and undertaken 2 trials of their online reverse auction tool (‘NatureBid’) and are currently finalising a further programme of 6 trials to be completed in 2019/20. The purpose of the approach is to deliver multiple environmental outcomes (via nature-based solutions), whilst ensuring this is done in a cost effective way.

Both trials (summer 2018 and March 2019) ran successfully. The second trial built on the first and saw more bids, which resulted in greater competitive pressure between sellers, thus bringing down the cost of environmental outcomes. For example, the NFM measure that received the most bids was maize management. In the first trial the average payment rate for this was 56% of the usual Countryside Stewardship rate and this dropped to around 29% in the second trial. These early results indicate that a reverse auction mechanism can be successful in achieving greater cost-effectiveness.

Table 1: Comparison of auction payments with Countryside Stewardship (CS) payment rates for applicable measures

5 of 8 Looking ahead, we are planning to explore how the approach could work with a broader range of revenue streams (including water bills and private food and drink sector organisations). We are going to test it in a range of landscapes across the country, taking into consideration multiple environmental outcomes.

Contact: [email protected] or [email protected]

New guidance to help councils prepare strategic flood risk assessments We’ve updated our guidance on how to prepare a strategic flood risk assessment (SFRA): https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-planning-authorities-strategic-flood-risk-assessment

SFRAs are a vital tool for understanding all sources of flood risk and how this risk will change over time. They help Local Planning Authorities make informed decisions about future development. They can also identify opportunities for reducing the causes and impacts of flooding and for safeguarding the land needed for future flood risk management infrastructure.

The guidance is now more detailed and user-friendly, with advice on joint working and consultation throughout SFRA preparation.

Contact: [email protected]

Project Application Funding Service (GOV.UK Portal) Improvements have been applied to the Project Application Funding Service (PAFS) portal used by RMAs. The portal on GOV.UK enables RMAs to submit FCRM project proposals and apply for FCERM grant-in- aid funding (GiA).

The project listened to its stakeholders and focused on improving service resilience, user enhancements and data compliance supporting operational efficiencies. RMAs now have access to a mapping tool to enable information mandated as part of the application to be produced and submitted. A small cohort of RMAs supported user testing and provided very positive feedback.

The PAFS project is part of a wider programme being delivered by the Environment Agency. The Creating Asset Management Capacity Programme (CAMC) is delivering operational efficiencies supported by IT tools across FCRM activities. Information submitted by RMAs through the PAFS portal will be captured within tools being introduced to support users promote, invest, allocate and deliver the capital programme.

A phased implementation of the tools has commenced and will continue over the next 12 months.

Contact: [email protected]

Research and publications

Exploratory sea level projections to 2300 This science report supports the long-term sea level projections included in the UK Climate Projections (UKCP18). One of the headlines findings is that sea levels will continue to rise beyond 2100 and could rise by 4m by 2300. The results are on the UKCP18 website and are already being incorporated in our flood guidance. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/exploratory-sea-level-projections-for-the-uk-to-2300

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New and amended standard rules for flood risk activities The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 (EPR) allow us to make standard rules to reduce the administrative burden for applicants while maintaining environmental and flood protection.

We recently consulted on proposals for amendments to the existing standard rules and the creation of 3 new standard rules. Feedback from the consultation was generally positive. The overall aim is to increase the uptake of flood risk activity standard rules permits, while maintaining our commitment to protect the environment and manage flood risk.

We have worked in partnership with FCRM Data and Systems to update the Easimap2 screening tool and implement the proposals into our permitting regime.

Please advertise the amended and new rules with customers, more details can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/flood-risk-activities-environmental-permits#standard-rules-permits

Contact: [email protected]

Creating Asset Management Capacity (CAMC) The CAMC Digital Data and Information project has delivered phase 1 of a Data Requirements Library to support digital working and improve information about assets: https://environment.data.gov.uk/asset- management/drl-app/asset-types.

It provides access to our flood risk asset classification structure and data requirements for each type of asset in both human-readable and machine-readable formats. The library starts with data recorded in AIMS: Inventory but in future will expand to other data requirements such as cost and carbon data, engineering and performance standards.

As a result, we are unlocking the information held in multiple documents enabling RMAs and our delivery partners to access and automate these requirements into their processes, understand how we classify our assets and the specific data required. In line with the Government Construction Strategy Building Information mandate, our data needs are accessible to enable digital processes within construction and improve usage and exchange of data across the whole asset lifecycle for all those involved in building new or refurbished flood risk assets.

Contact: [email protected]

New evidence for community engagement on climate adaptation

7 of 8 We are carrying out research to develop new approaches to FCERM engagement on climate adaptation. The ‘working together to adapt to a changing climate: flood and coast’ project has recently published an evidence review, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/community- engagement-on-climate-adaptation-to-flood-risk

The recommendations are to: • assess the readiness of communities, stakeholders and authorities to make adaptation decisions • consider how people’s attachment to places affects decision-making on local change • frame issues sensitively - using appropriate language can increase people’s comprehension of adaptation and reduce contention • be attentive to local needs and conditions - set realistic engagement goals based on this • adopt a co-production approach and include engagement practitioners, technical specialists, artists and local residents • use participatory methods to build understanding and capacity. Suggested approaches include simulations, visualisation, storytelling and conflict analysis. • create ways to better share learning within RMAs

These findings are being used to inform a community engagement programme which is being piloted in two areas: Hemsby, Norfolk; and Caterham Hill and Old Coulsdon, Surrey/London. Over the next 18 months we will work with local stakeholders and communities to trial new engagement methods, aiming to build shared understanding of long-term risks and future options.

The project will produce guidance and resources for decision makers and engagement practitioners. We have also set up a multi-agency practitioner community to exchange knowledge and share learning. For more information or to join the practitioner community, please get in touch.

Contact: [email protected]

8 of 8 Information Paper 2

RFCC Committee Correspondence Paper

Paper by: Anne Dacey, Deputy Director, Integrated Water Planning, Environment and Business, Environment Agency

Subject: River Basin Management Plans and Flood Risk Management Plans – aligned engagement

Recommendations RFCC Chairs and Committee members are influential in working with partners to reduce flood risk. As part of the aligned engagement for shaping the River Basin Management Plans and Flood Risk Management Plans (RBMP and FRMPs) we are asking you to respond to the forthcoming Challenges and Choices consultation, and help shape the future approach to the management of the water environment.

The RFCC Committee is asked to: 1. Work with the Environment Agency and partners to promote discussions that identify where flood risk is reduced whilst concurrently improving the water environment. 2. Work with your organisations to complete a Challenges and Choices consultation response by 22 April 2020.

1.0 Background

1.1 River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) were first produced in 2009 and are reviewed and updated every six years. As part of the review and update of the third cycle of the RBMPs, the Environment Agency are launching a consultation in October seeking everyone’s views on the challenges our waters face and the choices we all need to make to improve or maintain this precious resource.

1.2 Challenges and Choices is the second of 3 statutory RBMP consultations. The responses will help shape the future approach to the management of the water environment and will be used to update the existing river basin management plans in December 2021.

1.3 We are working closely with FCERM colleagues to align engagement with the second cycle of Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs), which will also be published in December 2021.

2.0 Water environment challenges

2.1 Currently, only 16% of England’s waters are close to their natural state. At the current rate of progress/investment it will take over 200 years to reach the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan ambition of 75% of waters close to their natural state.

2.2. The Challenges and Choices consultation will address the biggest challenges facing the water environment. It is an online consultation and will present each challenge as a specific page. Each challenge page will have a video, a

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Information

brief overview with infographics and links to more detailed information on each challenge: • climate and environment crisis • changes to water levels and flows • chemicals in the water environment • invasive non-native species • physical modifications • plastics pollution • pollution from abandoned mines • pollution from agriculture and rural areas • pollution from towns, cities and transport • pollution from water industry wastewater

2.3 The Challenges and Choices consultation explains (or asks): • why water is such a vital resource • the current and future challenges that threaten the water environment • how we can work together to manage our waters • who should pay

2.4 By considering both flood risk issues and improvements to the water environment in our discussions, we increase opportunities to identify joint schemes, projects and ways of working which can bring overall time and cost efficiencies.

2.5 We would like you to encourage your networks to promote the Challenges and Choices consultation and seek stakeholder feedback. We would be happy to present at future RFCC committee meetings to give more local detail.

3.0 FRMP and RBMP consultations

3.1 The RBMP Challenges and Choices consultation runs from 22 October 2019 to 22 April 2020. Next year, there will be a joint consultation on the draft FRMP and RBMP plans between October 2020 and April 2021.

4.0 Recommendations

4.1 The RFCC Chairs are / RFCC Committee are asked to:

• Work with the Environment Agency and partners to promote discussions that identify where flood risk is reduced whilst concurrently improving the water environment. • Work with your organisations to complete a Challenges and Choices consultation response by 22 April 2020.

Author: Suzanne Bennett, Senior Engagement Advisor, Strategic Catchment Partnerships, E&B and Dan Bean, Senior Officer, Operations Catchment Services FRMP contact: Kylie Russell, Project Executive, Flood Risk Regulations and improving strategic planning Sponsor: Anne Dacey, Deputy Director, Integrated Water Planning

Date: 06 September 2019

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Information Paper 3

SWRFCC Committee Meeting Meeting date: October 2019 Item no. Information Paper 3

Appendix A: Draft allocation principles Appendix B: Indicative capital allocation for schemes Appendix C: Revenue maintenance indicative allocations for 2020/21 and 2021/22 Appendix D: Annual allocation funding cycles for RFCC’s – a simple guide

Paper by: Director of FCRM Allocation and Asset Management

Subject: 2020/21 Flood and Coastal Risk Management (FCRM) Grant in Aid (GiA) indicative allocation for capital and revenue funding

Recommendations:

The RFCC Committees are asked to:

1. Note the draft indicative allocations for FCRM capital and revenue GiA funding (Appendix B and C). 2. Where relevant, undertake local choices on their capital and revenue programmes. 3. Support the capital programme prioritisation criteria (Section 2.4).

Headline messages: • This paper requires Committees to discuss their capital and revenue indicative allocations, and where appropriate, identify any required changes to the programme (undertake Local Choices). • Local choices decisions must meet the required criteria, as set out in section 3. • To ensure we meet our 300,000 homes better protected target by March 2021 the capital programme has been based around the indicative allocations from last year to help create stability. • We are on track to deliver our collective 300,000 homes better protected target but challenges remain. We require RFCC programmes to deliver the homes set out in the indicative allocations to make sure we meet this target. • On 10 September the government announced an additional £62.4m funding uplift for schemes, mainly benefiting the Northern Powerhouse. This will help relieve some of our funding pressures during 2020/21. • We are still seeking to secure a long term funding settlement. If successful, this may be announced in late October or November, as part of the Autumn Statement. We will keep the RFCC Committees updated on progress and announcements. • Please refer to the April 2019 National Allocation paper for a simple overview of the capital and revenue allocation process.

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1.0 Introduction

1.1 This paper is the first stage in allocating FCRM GiA for financial year 2020/21. This is the final year of the current 6 year capital programme.

1.2 The detail of this allocation for the SWRFCC Committee can be found in the Business Planning paper (SWRFCC/19/35).

1.3 The Committees are asked to discuss and identify any required changes to their programme as appropriate (to make their Local Choices), and to endorse the draft indicative capital and revenue allocations.

1.4 A simple guide to the annual allocation process is set out in the appendix of the April 2019 National Allocation paper and should be referred to throughout the year as required. The capital and revenue funding allocation cycles have been included in Appendix D as a reminder.

1.5 In building the indicative allocations, the draft allocation principles and Defra’s Partnership Funding Policy have been applied. They are the allocation principles approved by the EA Board on 7 February 2019 (Appendix A), and remain unchanged from last year.

2.0 FCRM Grant in Aid capital allocation

2.1 This year’s annual refresh of the capital programme is our final opportunity to make sure we can deliver the most outcomes from this 6 year investment programme and reach our collective 300,000 homes better protected target by March 2021.

2.2 Table 1 shows the capital profile for the final year of the programme, and 2019/20 for reference. On 10 September the government announced an additional £62.4m funding uplift for schemes in 5 Environment Agency Areas, see link below. Table 2 shows this funding split by RFCC. The funding profile of £531.4m for 2020/21 is our highest ever annual amount.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-pledges-62m-flood-funding-for- communities-in-england

Table 1: FCRM GiA capital funding profile, £m

Year 5 Year 6

2019/20 2020/21 Pre-Autumn Budget 2017 463 451

Additional funding to accelerate schemes 18 8

Additional funding for deprived communities 20 10

Additional funding uplift September 2019 62.4

Revised profile 501 531.4 315,000 to Forecast ‘most likely’ homes better protected 251,000 320,000

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Table 2: Additional funding uplift by RFCC

post 2020/21 RFCC 2020/21 Total £m £m Anglian Northern 1.2 0 1.2 North West 8.5 14.3 22.8 Northumbria 3.7 0 3.7 Thames 4.9 0.2 5.1 Yorkshire 3.5 26.1 29.6 Total 21.8 40.6 62.4

2.3 Following the July RFCC Committee round, the national Portfolio Management Office (PMO) in the FCRM Directorate, reviewed all Area returns. The initial analysis of the data identified a funding pressure of over £100m. Through discussions between the PMO, National and Area Teams this has reduced to a net pressure of £61m. The additional £62.4m announced on 10 September ensures we off-set this pressure. We will continue to work with Areas to achieve an affordable programme that maximises homes better protected. We will need to return to a full national refresh next year to allocate funding for the start of the next programme on 1 April 2021.

2.4 The programme is being prioritised by homes better protected, as in previous years, to ensure we meet our 300,000 homes target by 31 March 2021. The draft indicative capital allocation has been prioritised using the following approach:

• Projects in construction by 1 October 2019 and statutory and legal ‘must do’s’ • Projects better protecting homes by 2021, then • Projects better protecting homes beyond 2021, prioritised by Partnership Funding score

Our forecast for total homes better protected is now 315,000 - 320,000 homes.

2.5 The PMO undertook a national prioritisation that showed that the homes target would best be achieved through managing close to the existing indicative allocations for 2020/21. These were provided as part of the 2019/20 refresh (shared with RFCC Committees in January) and agreed at the EA Board on 7 February 2019.

2.6 Previous annual allocations have ensured that money has been fairly distributed across the RFCCs in the best way to achieve at least 300,000 homes, and therefore enables us to base this year’s indicative allocations on last year’s figures. This is good news as it allows Area teams greater freedom to manage their capital programmes and 2019/20 and 2020/21 budgets to achieve the targets. It also helps to provide a more stable programme, and should limit any political concerns caused by any major funding changes between the Committees.

2.7 A table showing the indicative allocation by RFCC for 2020/21 for schemes can be found in Appendix B. The table also shows each RFCC’s contribution to the homes better protected target. The figures show the net change – incorporating indicative funding handed back for redistribution from the consented programme, additional funding announced on 10 September and accommodating increases for scheme cost pressures in the programme. The additional £62.4m funding in the recent

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government announcement will be allocated to the announced schemes over the next few years as they require it. The full amounts are not wholly within 2020/21.

2.8 Our focus remains on achieving our fixed 300,000 homes better protected target by end of March 2021. This focus on a shorter term goal means that the programme is in essence now an 18 month programme. Ideally it would consist of a blend of projects at different stages of development to manage FCRM into the future. However, with the current pressure on budgets, we are funding less projects that will feed the programme beyond March 2021.

2.9 In line with our settlement condition for the 6 year programme we would expect to see 10% efficiency savings on the £466m allocation for 2020/21. If half of this £46m were cash releasing, this would free up £23m to reinvest in schemes to help manage any in-year financial pressures.

2.10 The partnership funding contributions required to achieve the homes better protected target for the 6 year programme is in the range of £590m to £650m, of which £550m has already been secured. Achievement of 30,000 homes of the 340,000 maximum possible homes are dependent on contributions which still remain to be secured. We are actively managing this and it is likely that some schemes which cannot secure the required partnership funding will achieve their homes early in the next programme. We welcome the RFCC Committees continued support in securing partnership funding.

3.0 Local Choices

3.1 At the October Committee meetings, RFCCs are asked to review their indicative capital allocations and identify any required changes to the programme. We refer to this as the ‘local choices’ process. Local choices are important to ensure local issues can be taken into consideration and we get the best possible outcomes from the programme both locally and nationally.

3.2 Any changes must ensure that the Committee’s programme:

• Remains within budget and on target to spend its indicative allocated budget for the final year of the programme • Secures, or improves the number of homes better protected

3.3 If additional contributions are identified, from third parties or local levy, RFCCs may be able to increase their programme and deliver more projects and more homes better protected.

3.4 Following the Committee’s returns, the PMO will review these, and as long as they meet the required criteria and are within budget they will be included in the production of the draft final allocation. RFCC Committees will see the draft final allocation again in January for their review and consent.

4.0 FCRM Grant in Aid revenue allocation

4.1 Table 3 shows the indicative revenue allocation for 2020/21 and 2019/20 for reference.

Table 3: Funding by service level, £m

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SR19 EA baseline Service Level 2020/21 ‘roll-over’ 2019/20

Asset Management 210.3 210.3

Incident Management (IM) 24.9 24.9

Partnership and Strategic Overview 7.7 7.7

Biodiversity 4.3 4.3

Retained Services 9.1 9.1

Autumn Budget 2018 - IM 6.6 4.5

Total 262.8 260.8

5.0 Asset management revenue maintenance programme

5.1 Our planning assumption is that we will get a “roll-forward” asset management budget for 2020/21. On that basis we will invest £110m into our Field Operations teams and maintenance programme.

5.2 Over a number of years we have been moving towards a position where all RFCCs are funded to the same level of asset risk as defined in our Asset Information Management System (AIMS). We are now close to achieving this. In previous years we have capped decreases at 10% per year. The maximum decrease for any RFCC Committee is 9% for 2020/21.

5.3 The opening indicative allocation to RFCCs for Area Operations Services teams and maintenance programmes are provided in Appendix C. Further detail on the breakdown of maintenance activities will be provided to RFCC Committees in January.

6.0 Recommendations

The RFCC Committees are asked to:

1. Note the draft indicative allocations for FCRM capital and revenue GiA funding (Appendix B and C).

2. Where relevant, undertake local choices on their capital and revenue programmes.

3. Support the capital programme prioritisation criteria (Section 2.4).

Ken Allison Director FCRM Allocation and Asset Management 16 September 2019

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Appendix A: FCRM allocation principles

Protect people and homes

• Deliver the £2.6bn six year capital programme • Increased protection for at least 300,000 homes between 2015/16 and 2020/21 • Protect maintenance funding in real terms through this Parliament and re-invest 10% efficiency savings by 2019/20 • Take a risk-based approach to securing the condition of existing assets including channel conveyance • Maintain our ability to warn people and respond to incidents so as to save lives and property • Support the provision of property scale resistance and resilience measures

Working in partnership

• Provide positive contributions to the recently announced Government-led reviews into flood risk management • Achieve third party, including private, investment in line with the Defra partnership funding and contributions policy • Support community-based solutions that are innovative, cost-effective and affordable • Achieve balanced programmes in collaboration with RFCCs • Promoting an integrating approach to managing flood risk working with other Risk Management Authorities • We will take a catchment based approach • Improve our understanding with partners of all flood and coastal erosion risk data and support the government’s ‘Open Data’ commitment making our data and information easily accessible to all who want it

Way we work

• Maintain skills and a pipeline of studies for medium and long-term investment needs • Maximise efficiency savings and value for money • Continue to promote schemes that meet statutory environmental requirements • Promote sustainable development that reduces flood risk • Provide appropriate funding toward the essential support services that enable delivery of flood and coastal risk outcomes • We will work collaboratively across the Environment Agency and with external partners to realise multiple benefits.

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Information Paper 3 Appendix B: FCRM GiA indicative capital allocation – schemes only

2020/21 2020/21 Difference refresh vs Programme 2019/20 Current published Refresh indicative indicative allocation for forecast Opening Allocation1 programme indicative allocation 2020/214 2020/21 RFCC allocation2 September 20194 Most likely £m Max homes £m Max homes £m Max homes £m Max homes homes3 Anglian Eastern 35.5 4,620 16.1 2,858 32.0 2,282 15.9 -576 1,826 Anglian Great Ouse 13.1 394 18.7 1,557 26.1 2,184 7.4 627 1,747 Anglian Northern 57.6 16,871 19.3 5,133 46.6 18,449 27.3 13,316 14,759 English Severn and Wye 3.4 969 1.5 396 1.6 700 0.1 304 560 North West 56.9 5,624 73.1 6,194 65.1 5,120 -8.0 -1,074 4,096 Northumbria 10.1 1,167 5.5 1,118 11.7 1,353 6.2 235 1,082 South West 22.5 2,088 20.6 1,050 19.9 2,326 -0.7 1,276 1,861 Southern 42.1 12,914 62.0 13,940 61.8 12,449 -0.2 -1,491 9,959 Thames 48.7 6,267 29.9 5,860 37.2 3,507 7.3 -2,353 2,806 Trent 50 2,481 37.2 10,318 40.6 9,976 3.4 -342 7,981 Wessex 9.1 1,125 13.1 1,286 12.2 1,769 -0.9 483 1,415 Yorkshire 95.3 23,572 104.4 18,205 103.0 22,327 -1.4 4,122 17,862 Total 444.3 78,092 401.4 67,915 457.93 82,442 56.5 14,527 65,954 1. Budget for 2019/20 was amended in Q1 2019/20 to ensure programme remained affordable. 2. Indicative allocation for 2020/21 given as part of the 2019/20 allocation agreed at EA Board on 7 February 2019. Does not align to 2020/21 in Table 1 as this includes the additional funding. 3. £3.8m is yet to be allocated 4. The figures show the net change – incorporating indicative funding handed back for redistribution from the consented programme, additional funding announced on 10 September and accommodating increases for scheme cost pressures in the programme.

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Information Paper 3 Appendix C: FCRM GiA indicative revenue maintenance allocations for 2020/21 and 2021/22

2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 RFCC Allocation, Indicative Allocation Indicative Allocation £k £k £k

Anglian Great Ouse 4,770 4,542 4,087

Anglian Eastern 8,698 8,450 7,955

Anglian Northern 10,287 10,755 10,426

North West 10,645 10,950 11,700

Northumbria 2,475 2,549 2,500

Severn & Wye 4,833 4,411 4,043

South West 5,119 5,004 4,630

Southern 11,276 10,964 10,405

Thames 19,399 20,027 21,021

Trent 12,335 12,730 14,164

Wessex 7,729 7,420 6,870

Yorkshire 12,434 12,198 12,198

Total 110,000 110,000 110,000

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Information Paper 3 Appendix D: Annual allocation funding cycles for RFCCs – a simple guide

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