Agenda item

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

The Engineer presented the S19 Flood Investigation Report for Llanhilleth following the flooding that occurred in Meadow Street and Railway Street during 15-16^th February 2020.  The Officer went through the report in detail and highlighted the key findings of the report detailed at section 2.3 of the report; and the key actions detailed at section 2.4

A Member said he was disappointed that the report was available in the public domain prior to Ward Members having sight of it.  However, he thanked all Council staff and other agencies who worked tirelessly at the time of the flooding, and in the days and weeks thereafter.  He said while this was a very comprehensive report it did not reflect the anguish of the residents affected.

He then referred to page 112 of the report, namely the DCWW Pumping Station, and said in his opinion the enquiry should have been undertaken by an independent body.  He had been informed by residents that the pump was faulty but when they tried to report it to Welsh Water they could only get through to an answer phone. 

The Member also asked whether the Council carried out further checks between the date of the incident and the 28^th February, 2020.

In response the Senior Engineer Land Drainage reported that CCTV surveys were undertaken some weeks after the incident in March.  He confirmed that regular surveys were undertaken of culverts, and depending on the classification this would be done every 2 weeks for critical culverts and every 12 weeks for significant culverts.

The Member pointed out that Railway Street would have flooded again on the 28^th February, 2020 had it not been for the work of an Officer who located another blockage between Railway Street and Meadow Street.  He said 89 properties had been flooded and the Council should look to compensate those residents who have needed to vacate their homes for 10 months, and that the process of compensation should be made as easy as possible.

A Member referred to section c on page 127 of the report and asked whether any remedial works had been undertaken to remove the pipe.  He stressed the importance of all remedial works being undertaken as a matter of urgency to alleviate any problems in the future.

In response the Senior Engineer Land Drainage said the pipe could not be removed, however, investigations were ongoing to determine whether it was possible to install an additional pipe and re-route the main drain.  He confirmed that funding had been secured to undertake remedial works, with a deadline to spend the money by the end of March 2022, and site investigations were currently being undertaken.

A discussion ensued when the Engineer explained that the report stated that it was probable that the high intensity and prolonged rainfall saturated the ground, and the 2 blockages identified in the drainage system contributed to the flooding.

A Member suggested an amendment to Option 1, namely that the Council puts in place a scheme to compensate residents affected by the flooding.

A discussion ensued when the Scrutiny Officer explained that it was not within the remit of the Committee to agree compensation. 

In response the Member said he would approach the Executive Member Environment and a request a public meeting.

The Committee AGREED to recommend that the Section 19 Flood Investigation Report, Llanhilleth report be accepted and published in accordance with the FWMA 2010 legislation. (Option 1)