Agenda item

Consideration was given to report of the Head of Community Services.

The Senior Engineer Land Drainage presented the report which updated Members on progress of delivery of the Council’s Flood Management Plan 2016-2022, and summarised progress made on the objectives and measures since its adoption and approval by Welsh Government in 2016.  The Plan highlighted the hazards and risk of flooding and set out how the Authority would work with other parties and local communities to manage the risks. 

The Officer went through the report and highlighted points contained therein.  He reported that due to the severe storms encountered at the end of the year and early 2020 the Council was unable to complete a scheme anticipated to cost £40,000, with a grant value of £34,000. However, Welsh Government has agreed that this money could be carried over to the 2020-2021 budget.

A Member referred to the repairs needed to be undertaken following Storm Dennis, in particular the repairs needed on the Ebbw Fach River embankment at Duffryn Park, and asked how many of the repairs had been completed.

In response the Team Manager Street Scene confirmed that Welsh Government funding had been secured to undertake repair works.  A schedule of works had been established, and the Officer confirmed that the Ebbw Fach River embankment was included.

The Chair said there had been repeated incidents of flooding recently, which was extremely stressful for residents, and said it would be beneficial for Members to have information on works being undertaken.

In response the Head of Community Services undertook to provide Members with a schedule of works.

A Member referred to the tree planting initiative at Parc Bryn Bach and asked whether any other sites in the Borough had been identified for tree planting.

The Team Manager Natural Environment said it was not easy to find large areas of land within the Borough suitable for tree planting.  Tree planting was included in our programme for improvement, and potential sites were always being explored, however, it was also important to maintain our existing stock.  The Officer confirmed that work was also being undertaken with the PSB exploring funding to commission a Green Infrastructure Strategy.

A Member referred to section 4.7 of the report, namely removal of rubbish from rivers, and said in his opinion NRW seemed to be pushing responsibility of cleaning rivers, unless in the case of an immediate threat of flooding, onto the Council or volunteers in the community.

In response the Senior Engineer explained that as the law stood, it was the responsibility of the landowner to maintain the stretch of river passing through their land, unless there was information to say otherwise.  NRW has responsibility for flood protection, and would place flood defences on the river to protect communities, but in terms of maintenance, i.e. cleaning/removal of rubbish, this was the responsibility of the landowner.

In response to a question raised by a Member in relation to section 4.5 of the report, the Officer explained that the scheme referred to was on the main River Ebbw by Ebbw Vale rugby ground.  There were 3 culverts in the area that needed repairs, but the severe weather prevented the final culvert repair works being undertaken.  However, the Officer confirmed that this scheme had now been completed.

The Member then referred to the fact that SuDS applications were currently being sent to Caerphilly CBC for approval, and the Head of Community Services confirmed that this arrangement was currently under review.

Another Member asked whether the Section liaised with Community Services in terms of maintenance of storm drains, and identifying where cleaning was required in order to prevent flooding.

The Senior Engineer said the Section worked closely with Community Services.  Camera equipment was used to survey gullies, and there was a maintenance schedule in place, however, due to the extensive number of throughout the Borough compared to the resources available, focus tended to be on ones that were known to be problematic. 

The Committee AGREED to recommend that the report be accepted and progress made over the previous 12 months be noted (Option 1).