Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change Decision Session	6^th October 2021
Report of the Director of Economy & Place

York 5 Year Flood Plan Update

Summary

1. The flooding in late December 2015 followed an intense period of rainfall across November and December due to the impacts of Storms Desmond and Eva. Record river levels were observed in many river catchments across the north of England. More than 4000 homes and 2000 businesses flooded across Yorkshire with 453 properties and 174 businesses flooded in York.

2. Funding has been allocated to the Environment Agency (EA) following the floods to renew existing and provide new flood defences across the city, £28m has been allocated to the Foss Barrier improvements and a total of £64m to the wider flood defences across the city.

3. An update on progress has been supplied by the EA, this can be seen in Annex 1. A further paper providing more context on the current programme of funding and its potential outcomes is provided as Annex 2.

4. City of York Council are leading on the development of the scheme in Fulford, appraisal and design work has continued, review sessions and community meetings have been held.

5. City of York Council’s Defra funded Innovative Flood Resilience project is being developed further through to the full outline business case that will be submitted to Defra in early in 2022.

Recommendations

6. The Executive Member for the Environment and Climate Change is asked to:

i. Note the updated report and the evidence presented by the Environment Agency in the session, feedback is sought from the Executive Member on all content.

ii. Consider and endorse the approach being taken to ensure the review of the Humber Flood Risk Management Plan is incorporated into City of York Council flood risk policy and strategy as detailed in Annex 2, a future item on the update of our Local Flood Risk Management Strategy will be brought to the Executive Member.

Background

7. Following the development and publication of the York Five Year Plan (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/york-5-year-flood-plan) the EA have developed the Defra Strategic Outline Business Case and financial approvals have been sought and obtained from Defra. Detailed businesses cases are being developed for 19 flood cells across the city.

8. The Environment Agency continue to work closely with City of York Council on all aspects of the York Five Year Plan, an update has been provided by the EA at Annex 1.

9. The detailed design and appraisal of flood defences and a pumping station on Germany Beck continues, the scheme will provide protection to homes and maintain access on Fordlands Road during flooding. The scheme will also aid future flood resilience on the A19.

10. All permissions are expected to be in place by early 2022. A public meeting was held on 27^th September to update all in the community on the plans and programme.

11. Annex 2 details the approach that is currently being undertaken to review the Flood Risk Management Plans required by the EU Floods Directive 2007. City of York Council have contributed to the review to ensure all outcomes and measures link strategically with our local plans and policies.

12. The approach outlined in Annex 2 highlights how the national programme of review, led by the Environment Agency, will commence through to a formal consultation later this year and a recommended approach on how we will embed the ideals of the plans within our own strategy.

Consultation

13. Public consultation on the York Five Year Plan continues through a range of flood cells, this is detailed in the update in Annex1 along with the programme of future consultation events.

14. Consultation on the Germany Beck Flood Alleviation Scheme will continue as the design work commences.

Options

4.

15. The principal options open to the Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change are to comment on and review the work undertaken to date, the future work identified and the representations made by the Environment Agency and City of York Council on all detail provided in this report and it’s annexes.

Analysis

16. Ongoing liaison will continue between the Executive Member for Environment and the CYC Flood Risk Manager, future briefings to the Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change Decision Session will be made to ensure key outputs and decisions are supported by CYC and to provide formal opportunities for members and the public to consult. Further recommendations will be made for agreement at these sessions.

Council Plan

17. Improved provision of flood defences supports a prosperous city for all through safer communities for residents, businesses and visitors, a wide range of consultation events will ensure this is in line with the needs and expectations of local communities.

Implications

18. Financial – Funding is allocated directly to the EA, the additional funding is available to be directed towards key flood risk projects in the city in the short term. The extent of required works may require wider funding and Defra funding bids will be developed. There are likely to be contribution requirements as part of this wider work.

19. Property – The Site Investigation programme will include sites under CYC ownership and/or control, consultation will be carried out with Estates teams and all relevant agreements will be put in place.

20. Human Resources (HR) – No implications

One Planet Council/Equalities – No implications

Legal – No implications

Crime and Disorder – No implications

Information Technology (IT) – No implication

Risk Management

21. No known risks are identified at this time, detailed risk management work will be developed as the business case and detailed design works commence.

Contact Details

Author: Steve Wragg	Chief Officer Responsible for the report: Neil Ferris
Flood Risk Manager Highways	Director of Economy & Place
	Report Approved	ü	Date	28/09/2021
Wards Affected:  List wards or tick box to indicate all					All	ü
For further information please contact the author of the report

Background Papers: None

Annexes:  Annex 1 York 5 Year Flood Plan Update Oct21

Annex 2 York 5 Year Flood Plan Update Oct21