DRAFT SHEFFIELD FLOODS 2007 JOINT REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC RESOURCES AND PERFORMANCE AND CULTURE, ECONOMY AND SUSTAINABILITY SCRUTINY AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT BOARDS June 2008 Sheffield Floods 2007 – Joint Report of the Strategic Resources and Performance and Culture, Economy and Sustainability Scrutiny and Policy Development Boards CONTENTS Page Nos. 1. Joint Chairs’ Foreword 2 2. Executive Summary 3-6 3. Introduction 7-8 4. Responsibilities 9-10 5. Summary of Events 11-12 6. Immediate Impact 13-14 7. Initial Responses 15-19 8. Recovery 20-27 9 Cost and Resources 28 10. Initial Lessons learned 29-32 11. Issues Raised by Members of the Public 33-35 12. Issues Raised by Members of the Council 36-42 13. Key Lessons Learned 43-44 14. Conclusions 45-48 15. Draft Recommendations 49-52 Appendix - Attendees at the meetings 53-54 2 1. JOINT CHAIRS’ FOREWORD The 2007 Sheffield Floods affected everyone in our City in some way. Tragically lives were lost and the lives of others were disrupted. Sheffield's homes, businesses, schools, and transport network felt the effects of the unprecedented weather that put Sheffield in the national spotlight. The Council and local emergency services responded to this incident and this paper demonstrates that this Council has taken a lead in assessing what worked well, what could have gone better and how we can learn any lessons going into the future. The wide-ranging scrutiny exercise gathered evidence from local people and all the organisations involved in dealing with the major incident. As a result local members were able to hear a full and frank account of events and make recommendations that are contained within this report. On behalf of this Council we would like to thank all those who contributed towards putting together this important piece of work. As the planet faces up to the prospect of more extreme weather conditions as a result of Climate Change, it’s important that the Council and its partners are up to the challenge. This piece of work and its recommendations put us in a stronger position to deal with any future event on the same scale. Councillor Mike Davis Councillor Martin Brelsford Chair of the Strategic Resources and Chair of the Culture, Economy and Performance Scrutiny and Policy Sustainability Scrutiny and Policy Development Board Development Board 3 SECTION 2 - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY For many people flooding can be a fact of life and there are areas of the City that have suffered from localised flooding previously. However, the unprecedented events that occurred in the City in June 2007 affected residents, businesses, schools, roads and public transport on a scale not seen before and the effects will be remembered for a long time. Unfortunately there were two fatalities as a result of the floods. It is clear from the evidence presented that there was a fantastic response from all those involved in dealing with this major incident. Nearly a year later the effects of the floods are still being felt. For example, a number of residents have still not returned to their properties. Also one of the City’s major roads (A61 Penistone Road) has just reopened and another (A6102 Middlewood Road) still remains closed due to the complexity of the reconstruction works required to reopen it. This report looks at the events that led to the flooding in the City, the response and key lessons learned. The following draft recommendations are put forward for consideration by the joint Scrutiny meeting for submission to the Cabinet:- General R1 Those who contributed to the Scrutiny investigation and the members of the public that took time to attend the meetings are thanked. R2 The Council, Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water are thanked for responding to a number of local concerns raised during the scrutiny meetings, including Falding Street, the River Loxley at Hillsborough and the River Sheaf at Millhouses. R3 That the Government be requested to make Yorkshire Water and Trent Water (in common with other Water Authorities) statutory consultees for planning applications. R4 All owners of dams and lakes are alerted of the possibility of flooding and the need of regular safety inspections. R5 The City Council and the Environment Agency to provide advice for businesses and residents living or moving to addresses within the floodplain on how to plan for a flood and deal with any flooding. Environment Agency R6 The Environment Agency to clarify exactly where its responsibility ends and that of riparian owners starts (both on a map of rivers and a written statement). R7 The Environment Agency’s guide for people that own land or property alongside a river or other watercourse (entitled ‘Living on the Edge’) be made 4 available to all riparian owners. The guide should also include contact numbers for advice and a details of assistance that is available for owners who cannot either financially or physically upkeep their responsibilities. Purchasers of properties with riparian responsibilities should be provided with a copy of the booklet (possibly in conjunction with Estate Agents). R8 In the light of increasing frequency and length of heavy rainfall, the capacity of waterways be inspected and where necessary increased. R9 The Environment Agency’s Capital Investment Strategy for the Don Catchment that is being developed with Yorkshire Water and the City Council is reported to a future meeting of the relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Board. R10 Businesses and the public be encouraged to sign up to the Environment Agency’s automated flood warning service and the service is made available to all Elected Members. R11 Consideration is given to developing a warning system for flash flooding. R12 Develop an education programme, in partnership with Yorkshire Water and the City Council, to enable the public and businesses to understand and respond to weather warnings. Yorkshire Water R13 Check that all water drains and sewage works are adequate to cater for increased frequency and prolonged periods of heavy rainfall. R14 When assessing the effect planning applications would have on land drainage, a holistic approach is taken that takes into account of the cumulative affect on an area. R15 When the dams are nearing capacity, Yorkshire Water inform all emergency planning partners of the situation at the earliest possible moment. R16 Consideration is given to increasing the capacity of the dams at least by removing silt. Sheffield City Council R17 All surface water drains to have a regular clearance programme (not just identified hot spots) and ensure that there is adequate capacity for the increasing frequency and length of heavy rainfall. R18 Arrange for regular checks of all areas where the Council is a riparian owner for maintenance of banks, free flowing of the water course and that the depth of the water courses are adequate to cater for most eventualities, deepening or widening where necessary. R19 Development Control Officers and Planning and Highways Area Boards take due cognisance of reports from Yorkshire Water. R20 The Head of Development Services be requested, either through the 5 Sheffield Development Framework or Supplementary Planning Guidance, to prepare a policy to ensure that in future developments all hard surfaces are permeable so reducing immediate run off during heavy rainfall. R21 Review the size and nature of the Council’s Emergency Planning Control Centre. R22 Risk registers to be updated to take account of the flooding experience. R23 The location of Gold and Silver commands (controls) should be reassessed. R24 Consideration is given to providing additional resources, such as sandbags etc, at strategic locations across the City. R25 Establish a Members' hotline for use during a major emergency to provide them with direct advice and information. R26 Members be encouraged to attend Emergency Planning Seminars. R27 The recruitment of more accredited workers that can be used in an emergency both within the Council and in conjunction with the voluntary, community and faith sectors be supported. R28 The fragmentation of the Utility industry is a major issue and the City Council needs to consider how it can play a role in helping achieve better co- ordination. R29 The Culture, Economy and Sustainability Scrutiny and Policy Development Board to review annually (a) Surface Water Management Plans and other linked plans, such as Local Development Frameworks and Community Risk Registers, to ensure that flood risk is adequately considered and to ensure greater transparency and progress in the management of that risk and (b) emergency plans and business continuity plans of essential service providers. R30 The outcome of the review with schools in February 2008 in relation to the successes and improvements that could be made following the flood event in June 2007 is reported to the Children and Young People Scrutiny Board. R31 The Carer Support Emergency Plan being established be welcomed. R32 The proposed emergency response Good Neighbour Scheme be welcomed. All R33 Improve public awareness of the likelihood of flooding and the need for contingency plans and the dangers of immersion in flood water. R34 Improve public knowledge of how to behave in the event of flooding and the necessity of obeying police warnings to ensure public safety. R35 Improve communications systems within each organisation and with the general public so that when emergency alerts are first issued everyone is 6 aware. R36 The Importance of attending training and exercises for all levels of command and control structures should be highlighted and encouraged. R37 Need for identification of trigger points for activation and initiation of plans and command structures. R38 In relation to flood warnings, there is a need for greater co-operation between agencies e.g. Yorkshire Water, Environment Agency and the City Council. R39 Greater clarity is required on the responsibility for dam and reservoir plans.