Agenda item

Attending for this Item were:

Worcestershire County Council

Councillor Anthony Blagg, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Environment

Matt Maginnis, Flood Risk & Highway Drainage Manager

Emily Barker, Strategic Planning and Environmental Policy Manager

Nigel Hudson, Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy

Severn Trent Water Ltd

Tim Smith, Flooding Analyst, Asset Management

Environment Agency

Richard Bentley, Partnerships & Strategic Overview Team Leader (Shropshire & Worcestershire)

Richard Bentley explained that as a national organisation and specifically in relation to flooding, the Environment Agency has strategic overview of all sources of flooding and coastal erosion.  It also has responsibility for flood risk management activities on main rivers and the coast and regulating reservoir safety.  Locally, Members were reminded of the resilience work in Worcester, Upton and Bewdley to protect communities and businesses.

On behalf of Severn Trent Water (STW) Ltd, Tim Smith provided a presentation which covered the following main points:

·       STW covers a wide geographical area and is one of the largest 10 regulated water and sewerage companies in England and Wales with over 5,000 employees.  It covers 28 Local Authority areas and provides a service to more than 3.3 million households and businesses

·       Sewer flooding is their main responsibility and flooding can occur either to STW's assets or from them and either scenario can disrupt the water cycle

·       When flooding occurs, clean-up is the main priority however, the cause is investigated and action to resolve the issue is explored.  Examples were given whereby CCTV and other forms of technology are used to identify problems and manage assets

·       Over time sewers can become blocked, mainly through the disposal of unsuitable items and a programme of cleansing is ongoing.  In addition, a public education programme is in place and STW work with schools to spread key messages

·       Old sewers are also troublesome and a replacement programme is in place across the Country

·       In relation to new building developments, modelling is undertaken to ensure there is sufficient capacity and STW work with developers on new projects.  Also, all existing sewers are already mapped

·       Capacity across the system is being increased, including the construction of underground storage tanks as part of flood alleviation schemes and the use of Sustainable Drainage Schemes (SUDS) to collect surface water.

In the ensuing discussion, the following main points were raised:

·       It was reported that there was a good working relationship across the Agencies represented, however, Members felt that the general public would not differentiate  between the Authorities, rather, in the event of an incident, be more concerned that it was dealt with in a timely manner.  By coincidence, flooding had occurred in recent days and Members recalled some local incidents and the response to them.

·       Members were concerned about the increased levels of severe flooding, both locally and nationally and stressed that the impact of flooding was wide reaching.

·       It was suggested that climate change could be a possible cause, yet statistics continued to refer to a 1 in 100 year event for example.  Authorities were now using different terminology, for example, 1% yearly chance of flooding, however it would take time to move across to this refined terminology.  Some Members felt using words to reflect impact of a recent incident such as 'it's the same level as 2007' would be more helpful to the public.

·       Worcestershire had been particularly affected in recent years and lots of work had been undertaken to manage future flooding and prevent future incidents.  As there were numerous reasons for flooding incidents, there was not just one solution available.  A variety of measures were available to provide defence and resilience.

·       In relation to Planning, some Members suggested that not enough was being done, however it was reported that working collaboratively across all Agencies was the biggest strength to the process.

·       It was reported that as approaches evolved, there was a drive to manage flooding, rather than prevent occurrences.

·       The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy, Skills and Infrastructure asked whether household macerators continued to be installed to be informed that they had become less welcome as a means of disposing of waste products.

The Flood Risk Management in Worcestershire Annual Report 2016 was welcomed, with the activity undertaken far reaching.  One Member in particular highlighted the natural solutions listed, whereby local nature organisations were also working in partnership to manage and improve local watercourses and the Panel learned that a bid had been submitted to the European Union, which may enhance the level of natural solutions available.

The Chairman thanked all those present for their attendance.