JAE

Joint Area Committee - East - 12th August 2009

12. Flooding Workshop

Head of Service: Helen Rutter, Head of Area Development Lead Officer: Helen Rutter, Head of Area Development Contact Details: [email protected] or 01963 435012

Purpose of the Report

To update Members

Recommendation

That the report is noted.

Background

This was a follow up event, on 25 June, to the Flooding workshop held on 1 December 2008. It was held at the request of the Area Chairman and was aimed specifically at the Parishes in Area East adversely affected by flooding on 13 December 2008 and over the winter.

It was designed to: Share and review how well the emergency flood prevention plans, where these are in place, actually worked in practice With the range of experts available, look at how the plans could be improved to better cope with future flooding Give representatives from the Agencies the chance to hear local views about the performance/response of the various statutory bodies. This may help to improve their own procedures

Event details

Representatives attended from 7 of the 9 Parishes worst affected. There was also an excellent turnout from the specialist agencies who deal with floods, including Environment Agency, County Council, South Somerset District Council and the Fire Service. County Councillors and District Councillors of the areas affected also came to give their input. The Parishes of Queen Camel, Rimpton and Sparkford had kindly shared their flood plans with other Parishes in order to raise awareness of what can be done at a community level.

Main Issues Raised

There was much praise for the improved flood response by various agencies. There was, however, continuing concern for poor performance of road drains, difficulty in obtaining sandbags and their lack of effectiveness in severe conditions, maintenance issues with one-way water control valves and problems caused by vehicles continuing to use flooded roads causing further damage to adjacent houses and the vehicles themselves.

The following learning points were noted: • Measures largely rest with the community and self-help. The Environment Agency has developed a pack to help communities plan for flood episodes and are very happy to work with at risk communities to increase resilience

Meeting: JAE 03A 09:10 33 Date: 12.08.09 JAE

• There is a small amount of funding available locally to help with small projects that alleviate flood problems. It needs to be noted that this is heavily over-subscribed. Parishes should speak to Roger Meecham, SSDC Engineer, in the first instance • Other agencies like the Fire Service and Police Service are very happy to discuss specific flood problems and adopt measures that help eg: Queen Camel has a protocol that enables road closures to be secured jointly between the Police and local volunteers • There needs to be further local discussions with the Environment Agency to improve the maintenance and performance of one-way water control valves • Communities with strong flood plans in place but who are still experiencing problems, are best placed to actively lobby politicians, MPs, etc. to secure further, more substantial investment. Queen Camel and West Camel are good examples of the progress made.

Next Steps

Roger Meecham, SSDC Engineer, with colleagues from other agencies, will be arranging further events over the coming year to raise awareness of the support available and help communities identify what they can do for themselves.

Financial Implications

None arising directly from this report. The Joint Area East Committee has available to it small amounts of capital infrastructure funding, which can be used alongside other funds to secure small-scale works to tackle specific flooding problems that offer value for money and high impact.

Implications for Corporate Priorities

Corporate Aim - to enhance the environment, address & adapt to climate change. 2.25 With partners engage and educate landowners & developers of ways to mitigate flood risk in urban and rural areas by 2010.

Corporate Aim - deliver well-managed & cost effective services valued by our customers 5.8 Increase awareness of civil protection arrangements in the local area.

Other Implications

Priority number 7 in the Area Development Plan is to improve environmental quality & safety in both the built & natural environments.

Background Papers: Notes of workshop and copy of flood plans for Queen Camel, Rimpton and Sparkford.

Meeting: JAE 03A 09:10 34 Date: 12.08.09