Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Emma Marshall and Beverley Nielsen.

None.

Members of the public wishing to take part should notify the Assistant Director for Legal and Governance in writing or by e-mail indicating both the nature and content of their proposed participation no later than 9.00am on the working day before the meeting (in this case 22 March 2023). Further details are available on the Council’s website.  Enquiries can also be made through the telephone number/e-mail address listed in this agenda and on the website.

None.

Previously circulated.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2023 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

(indicative timing: 10:05 to 11:05am)

In attendance for this item:

Worcestershire County Council:

Cabinet Member with Responsibility (CMR) for Environment

Assistant Director for Highways and Transport

Assistant Director for Economy, Major Projects and Waste

Flood Risk and Highways Drainage Manager

Principal Highways Maintenance Engineer

Severn Trent – Flooding and Partnerships Manager & Flooding Analyst.

Environment Agency -  Place Manager for Worcestershire and Shropshire & Flood Risk Management Officer

South Worcestershire Land Drainage Partnership (SWLDP) – represented by the Head of Engineering Services at Wychavon District Council. 

North Worcestershire Water Management (NWWM) – Senior Water Management Officer

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for their attendance. The CMR for Environment highlighted that effective partnership working was crucial in this area to ensure that effective flood prevention measures could be put in place. He thanked all of those involved in the partnership for the work they carried out to provide protection for residents.

The Panel received the Annual report on Flood Risk Management in Worcestershire. The Flood Risk and Highways Drainage Manager (FRHDM) provided a brief background as to the current framework for managing flood risk. This Council was the Lead Local Flood Authority, and he stressed the importance of partnership working with the other organisations being crucial to the effectiveness of this work.

The FRHDM gave a brief presentation highlighting the key areas of focus in 2022, including the extensive work to reduce the likelihood and impact of flooding. In order to reduce the likelihood of flooding, it was fundamental to understand the flood risk and prioritise resources effectively. The significant flood event in February 2022 was referred to, which had brought challenges to the partnership, but also provided opportunities to learn for the future. There were new flood alleviation schemes implemented and work was underway on the 6-year county-wide Natural Flood Management programme. Following guidance received, the Local Flood Risk Management Plan was being updated and attention was drawn to the progress being achieved with a number of flood risk management plans. The Panel was also reminded of other major key areas of work that partners carried out including regular maintenance, inspection and enforcement roles and making representations on planning applications throughout the year. In summary, the FRHDM reported that the partners working together had made significant progress during the year and had successfully delivered on the commitments made in the previous Annual Report. Collective investment was a key factor which then led to investment being drawn in from other regional and national sources.

The Chairman invited the representatives from Severn Trent (ST) to share an update with the Panel. The representative advised that ST were seeking to widen the benefits obtained from flooding schemes, for instance to address pollution issues and the structural conditions of sewers. There was a shift in emphasis with ST not necessarily being the lead on such schemes but working collaboratively with external agencies such as the Environment Agency, to compliment and support schemes.

In terms of resilience, building larger sewers was no longer sustainable or  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

(indicative timing 11.05am to 12 noon)

Performance -  Quarter 3 (October to December 2022)

The Lead Analyst advised that progress was being made with regard to Power Bi being available for use at all Overview and Scrutiny Panels, providing fully interactive access to live data.

The Panel raised a number of queries relating to the performance data as follows:

Condition of footways

Further details were sought on the condition of footways which had been highlighted as an area of challenge in the report. The Assistant Director (HTO) explained that coarse visual inspection surveys of footways had previously been completed using global positioning system technology. The information obtained needed to be understood and validated, meanwhile there continued to be significant investment in footways. The Panel was advised that the team was keen to receive feedback from Members and the public about any footways issues that needed addressing, which would help to inform this process.

Reporting of Household waste information

Clarification was sought on the categories of waste which equated to 100% of the total waste collected across Worcestershire (KG per head of the county’s population) to enable comparisons to be made. The Assistant Director (EMPW) agreed to provide this information.

In response to a Member question about how the Council was encouraging households to reduce the quantity of waste created, the Assistant Director advised that the levels were starting to slightly reduce. The Council also engaged with various initiatives and campaigns, such as National Food Waste week, which helped to make an impact on changes in behaviour. The CMR for Environment also highlighted that a Task and Finish Group involving representatives from the 6 District Councils was currently working together towards establishing a joint approach for a weekly food collection initiative.

Ironworks and gullies

A Member questioned the process for reporting of problems concerning ironworks and gullies on the highways. The Panel was informed that such issues could be identified on the gullies interactive map, where the Council’s assets were individually numbered, and a report logged accordingly or via the members portal. If an asset could not be located on this map, the Highways Liaison Officers could be contacted directly. Highlighting the usage of the interactive map, the Chairman advised that 41% of all public enquiries submitted in November 2022 had related to drainage queries.

In relation to work being carried out to make the surrounds of gullies stronger, the Assistant Director (HTO) advised that the Council’s Highway’s Contractor had been asked to look at possible options on new materials for this and that they would report back on what could be used.

Timescale for Gullyrepairs

In response to a Member’s question, it was clarified that the 28 days set out in the service level agreement for completion of gullyrepairs was 28 calendar days, although it was highlighted that the ‘clock’ could be halted if there were issues with accessing the site or such issues preventing work being carried out. Once the repair was inspected, it should be given a priority rating and completed in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

(Indicative timing: 12.00 to 12.10pm)

The Panel considered the suggestions received for its 2023/24 work programme. The following amendments were agreed:

·       Update on Buses (September 2023 or earlier if possible) - to include community transport, demand responsive transport, the bus service improvement plan and home to school transport bus passes.

·       Road diversion signs (May 2023) – to include reinstatement and utility works (use of section 58 restrictions) and Severn Trent emergency work permits.

·       Solar power generation and use (July 2023) – to include electrification and charging points.

·       Net Zero Plan update (November 2023) – to include reducing congestion, cycling and walking infrastructure.

·       Worcestershire Streetscape Design Guide (May 2023) – prior to it being considered by the Cabinet in July.

·       Road Safety and Reduction of speeding by use of Built Highways Infrastructure – to link with the Streetscape Design Guide if possible.

Consideration would also be given to setting up a Budget Task Group in the Autumn.