MINUTES OF THE KYLE & UPPER OUSE IDB MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY 2nd DECEMBER 2024
AT THE GALTRES CENTRE, EASINGWOLD
85 Present Mr R Shedden (Chair), Mr A Boddy, Mr I Galtrey, Mr R Pennock,
Mr G Robinson, Mr R Spilman, Mr J P Stirke, Cllr A Hook
In attendance - Mr N Everard (Clerk of the Board), Mr P Jones (Consulting Engineer), Cllr N Knapton (North Yorkshire Council),
Mr J Corden (North Yorkshire Council/Huby Parish Council)
86 Apologies Cllr J Cattanach
The Chairman welcomed Cllr N Knapton & Mr J Corden to the
Meeting.
87 Declaration of Mr G Robinson declared an interest in respect of the proposed
Interest works at Beningbrough.
88 Minutes The Minutes of the meetings held 5th February 2024 and 22nd July
2024 were approved and signed and there were no matters arising.
89 Consulting Ordinary Watercourse Maintenance
Engineers Report
The Contractor has completed 14,961m flailing and 3,573m desilting
around the Wigginton area, Leasemires/Longbridge/Hawkhill Beck systems, River Kyle, Alne Beck and Carle Beck as well as tree shear works around Newton on Ouse and Tholthorpe, River Kyle bank re-profiling and support flailing for the Board employee in line with the prestart maintenance meeting held in July 2024.
The contractor is developing a map-based maintenance reporting tool to provide regular updates on maintenance progress and highlighting riparian owner pipe locations to assist with future maintenance.
Maintenance transition
Considering the potential operational options moving forwards the Contractor has agreed to provide further support as follows: -
· Provision of an operator at a reduced rate of £0.56/m to utilise the Boards Tractor & Flail
· Support for additional activities such as trash screen clearance, spraying and piling works.
· Support the Board’s employee in terms of H & S, training etc
Following the dismissal of the Board’s Foreman the Board approved this approach for the short to medium term.
New IDB Fund
The new fund is being managed by the Environment Agency at national level on behalf of DEFRA. An expression of interest was submitted on behalf of the Board for the replacement of a piped ordinary watercourse in the Newton on Ouse/Beningbrough Moor area (026,026A & 026B).
Agreements have been signed for funding of up to £902,629 with the first instalment due shortly with the second payment due in March 2025 upon demonstration of project completion.
Sweeting Bros Ltd assisted with a quotation for the works and given the specialist nature of the works and timescales it was proposed to direct award in accordance with the Board’s Financial Regulations.
Sweeting Bros Ltd have confirmed their delivery confidence before the end of March 2025 and a site meeting would be arranged with owner occupiers to confirm scope of works.
Outfall Inspections
Following a ratepayer enquiry the outfall at Linton Lock has been investigated and a copy of the report was circulated. It was confirmed that the outfall and flap valve were in good condition and no defects identified.
Several other outfalls were also inspected around the Linton on Ouse, Newton on Ouse, Beningbrough & Skelton areas with no obstructions identified.
Debris within the Newton on Ouse flap valves was identified for clearance subject to river levels.
Linton on Ouse (018) Access Culvert
Defects have been identified within an access culvert which has potential to obstruct flow. An investigation is underway into ownership possibly Environment Agency/Canals & Rivers Trust.
Planning Applications
Planning applications have been reviewed on a weekly basis and 13 have received comment between 19th June and 7th November 2024.
Applications may not result in a need for Board consent, but should an applicant wish to discharge to a watercourse or work within 7 metres of a watercourse they are informed of the Board’s consent requirements.
Land Drainage Act 1991 Sections 23 & 66 Consents
15 consents have been provided between 19th June and 25th November 2024.
90 Health & Safety The Clerk reported that a meeting had been held with the Health &
Report Safety Advisor and Consulting Engineer to review the Health
& Safety Policy and Risk Assessment. A site meeting was to be scheduled.
The Consulting Engineer reported that it was proposed in the interim that the Board’s employee work to the contractors Health & Safety Policy. A question was raised as to whether lone working arrangements were suitable. The Clerk reported on a trial of a device to provide an element of protection.
91 Risk Management/ The Clerk confirmed that the Policy would be updated on
Strategy & Policy completion of the Health & Safety inspection.
The Clerk reported on the current position about the rating system. The Board had the option to operate the existing DRS system for one further year, however no support could be offered, and any failure would be at the risk of the Board. Alternatively, to move to the DRS 365 upgrade which was priced per management unit and could therefore alter. The current understanding that there would be a £10,000 licensing cost to recover development costs by the Water Management Alliance and then a £5,000 annual support cost subject to annual review.
The Shire Group of IDBs have offered that the Board join them to operate a single platform running a DRS to reduce the upfront and ongoing costs of approximately £3,500 and then £700 per annum.
The Clerk also reported on a new potential provider through Cutler IT Ltd, badged IDB RMS, its current estimated pricing as a onetime licence fee of £1,950 and an annual support fee of £1,920.
The Board authorised the Finance Committee to approve an arrangement with Selby Area IDB.
92 ADA Update The Clerk reported on attendance at the ADA National Conference
attended by the Floods Minister with the ADA AGM scheduled for the 3rd December 2024. The Clerk had also attended the ADA Northern Branch AGM when it was reported that the funding arrangement for the ADA National were to be reviewed.
93 Audit The Clerk reported that an unqualified audit opinion had been issued
by external auditors. The Internal Auditor had completed the interim visit and their report was awaited.
94 Appointed Members The Clerk was awaiting confirmation of the new members to
represent North Yorkshire Council being Cllr N Knapton and Mr J Corden. The Clerk confirmed that there were two appointed members from North Yorkshire Council and nine from City of York Council. City of York Council have been encouraged to appoint other interested members to enable meetings to be quorate.
95 Direct Labour The Chairman reported on the dismissal of the Board’s Foreman for
gross misconduct in October 2024, the Clerk confirmed that HR advice had been followed and that no appeal had been received.
96 JCB & Excavator The Chairman was awaiting estimates for repairs to the excavator
Replacement beforeconsidering disposal. The tractor and flail were to be utilised
in the interim by the contractor’s employee. The JCB 4CX is due for replacement in the following financial year.
97 Environmental The Consulting Engineer responded to an enquiry regarding
Matters Himalayan Balsam in the area and regarding ongoing discharge from a milk unit near Shipton which had been reported to the Environment Agency Pollution Line.
98 Accounts Accounts for Payment Schedule numbers 22, 23 and 24 in the sums of
£37,418.38, £15,424.66 and £14,152.21 respectively.
99 Next Meeting The Clerk reported that the next meeting was scheduled for Monday 3rd February 2025 at 2.00pm at the Galtres Centre,
Easingwold.
………………………….Chairman
……....………………………...Date