PTE/15/16 Cabinet 11 March 2015 Flood Risk Management Action Plan 2015/16 Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment Please note that the following recommendations are subject to consideration and determination by the Cabinet (and confirmation under the provisions of the Council's Constitution) before taking effect. Recommendation: It is recommended that Cabinet: (a) approves the implementation of the 2015/16 Action Plan by the County Council’s Flood Risk Management Team; (b) delegates to the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member with responsibility for flooding, any changes to the programme and related expenditure of less than £50k. 1. Purpose The aim of this report is to provide Cabinet with an update on delivery of the 2014/15 Flood Risk Management Action Plan and gain approval for the implementation of the proposed Action Plan for 2015/16. A process, by which actions can be amended or reprioritised, subject to delivery opportunities, is also proposed. 2. Summary As a result of the widespread flooding experienced in Devon over recent years a prioritised programme of works has been developed. This has been prepared in accordance with the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy and where possible in partnership with other Risk Management Authorities. 3. Update on Achievements for 2014/15 As a result of the works delivered by Devon County Council and in some cases through partnership working with the Environment Agency and District Councils, up to 150 properties have been provided with improved flood protection this year, so reducing the risk of further internal flooding. The studies underway and potential works to be delivered over coming years will aim to reduce the risk of flooding to over 500 further properties directly, as well as provide wider community benefits. In particular the close working relationship between Flood Risk Management and Highways has enabled a number of schemes, benefitting both property and the highway, to be delivered jointly and has also assisted in identifying locations where gullies require a stricter maintenance regime. Detail on the work undertaken by the Flood Risk Management team during 2014/15 is set out in Appendix I. The current projection is for the full extent of the approved £1 million budget (i.e. including a carry forward from 2013/14) to be successfully applied through this range of practical works and studies; with a further £0.5 million spent through a separately approved capital allocation in favour of the Exeter Flood Defence Scheme. This represents the largest ever flood risk management programme delivered by the Authority. 4. Proposed Action Plan for 2015/16 Building on the successful delivery of the 2014/15 programme, a number of studies and investigations now need to be progressed to the design stage and, those more advanced, to be delivered through practical works. The new programme of actions for 2015/16 is, therefore, a continuation of those works already in hand and commencement of new schemes. The specific proposals have been prioritised on the basis of the criteria set out in the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy for Devon. The proposed Action Plan for 2015/16 is attached as Appendix II. This currently shows 16% over-budget profile expenditure for the projects element of the budget; this is normal practice to account for projects that are completed under budget or, are delayed for various reasons. This will be closely monitored throughout the year to ensure delivery is kept within the available budget. Additional funding from Defra’s “Flood Defence Grant in Aid” and Local Levy will, after justification, be accessed as required. Other opportunities for partnership working with other Risk Management Authorities and key stakeholders, such as Parish Councils and Flood Action Groups will also be considered accordingly. 5. Consultations/Representations/Technical Data The delivery of local flood improvements will require regular consultations with residents, community groups, Parish Councils, local Members and all other Risk Management Authorities to ensure expectations are managed appropriately. This will assist in a joined up approach to ensure those affected will be fully engaged and also to identify any partnership working between the various authorities that can be achieved. 6. Financial Considerations The funding allocations for the works identified in the 2015/16 Action Plan will be from the DCC Flood Risk Management revenue budget. Where projects can be undertaken collaboratively, this will be linked to additional contributions through other Risk Management Authorities. For larger schemes requiring capital funding, this will be achieved through Defra’s Flood Defence Grant in Aid and supported by Local Levy and/or additional partnership funds from local sources such as developers, businesses and other scheme beneficiaries (including local residents). Where appropriate, DCC revenue allocations are capitalised. In order to limit future or ongoing financial liabilities to the Flood Risk Management budget, every effort is made to avoid any enduring maintenance responsibilities when supporting the implementation of new flood protection works. 7. Sustainability, Equality and Public Health Considerations All flood improvement schemes will be developed in accordance with the Equality and Environmental Assessments produced in support of the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy. Each individual scheme will be assessed at the appropriate stage using the corporate, integrated assessment tool, with relevant equality and environmental impacts identified and acted on as necessary. The works outlined by the Local Strategy and the 2015/16 Action Plan are all designed to improve the protection afforded to communities and individual properties currently at particular risk of flooding and, thereby, support health and wellbeing. More than just protecting the properties alone, it should be noted that flood water has the potential for transporting contaminants, such as sewage; so, reducing flood risk has clear health benefits. 8. Legal Considerations All works will be carried out in accordance with the powers and duties assigned to DCC under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, the Land Drainage Act 1991 and any other relevant legislation. The lawful implications and consequences of the proposals and relevant actions will be taken into account through their development. 9. Risk Management Considerations It should be noted that flooding is already identified as a high risk in the corporate risk register and that this programme is intended to address that. As each scheme is progressed, it will be assessed to ensure that all necessary actions are carried out to safeguard the Council's position. A recent exercise carried out by the Place Scrutiny Flooding Task Group called in all other Risk Management Authorities to explain their ability to fulfil their responsibilities as identified in the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy for Devon. This highlighted the lack of resources available to many of the District Councils and the potential risk that some will be unable to deliver as required. This risk will have to be monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure that it does not affect the successful delivery of the DCC Action Plan for 2015/16, given the collaborative approach to many of the schemes. 10. Discussion The delivery of an annual programme of flood improvements is essential to continually reduce the risk to many properties within Devon that have suffered or are at a high risk of flooding. The proposed Action Plan for 2015/16 includes a number of physical schemes that will benefit in excess of 200 properties, together with a number of proactive studies for future schemes to be developed in line with Defra’s 6 year programme. All of the Risk Management Authorities have regular contact through forums such as the Devon Operational Drainage Group to share the priorities of their organisations and look for partnership working opportunities. Work is ongoing to coordinate the Action Plans and establish a joint plan across the authorities. 11. Options/Alternatives In view of the large number of communities having suffered flooding in recent years and the growing expectation for assistance, the option to do nothing has been discounted. The proposed projects identified in the 2015/16 Action Plan (Appendix II) have been prioritised based on the specific criteria set out in the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy for Devon. It is likely that the detail of this programme will change over the course of the year, due to funding opportunities or uncertainties over delivery etc. Any changes up to a £50k limit will be undertaken in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member and the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment. Each scheme will undergo an options appraisal process to identify the preferred option that will give maximum benefit for the community within the available budget. 12. Reason for Recommendation/Conclusion The extent of flooding to properties over recent years has created a large list of communities requiring assistance to reduce this problem. There are many other communities who are at significant risk of future flooding, particularly from surface water sources, as identified by our programme of studies. The effect of flooding on people’s properties and businesses is devastating and there is an essential need to reduce this future risk in order to benefit Devon’s economy and the health and wellbeing