Issue - meetings

This report proposes a review of the flood resilience grant scheme process to date and recommends that all new applications for the flood resilience grant scheme process be closed after 31 May 2017.  Further flood resilience programmes will be considered as part of funding agreed in response to the York Flood Inquiry report recommendations.

Resolved:

(i)       That the review of the flood resilience grant process to   date be considered.

(ii)      That the recommended closure of the flood resilience grant application process on 31 May 2017 be widely communicated and that work continued with any applicants of approved schemes after this time be agreed.

(iii)     That the recommendations of the York Flood Inquiry and the 9 February 2017 Executive meeting to target additional funding subject to the Council budget process to reinforce flood resilience in the city be agreed and that update reports to review the progress with the delivery of the recommendations be considered at future Executive Member for Environment Decision Sessions.

Reason: Delivery of the flood resilience grant has helped a wide range of homes and businesses prepare for future flood events, further development of flood risk resilience will move to the delivery of the recommendations of the Flood Inquiry.

The Executive Member considered a report that proposed a review of the flood resilience grant scheme process and recommended that all new applications for the flood resilience grant scheme process be closed on 31 May 2017.

The Flood Risk and Asset Manager gave an update and confirmed the range of government administered grants that had been available since the Boxing Day 2015 floods. He stated that almost 200 applications had been received for the resilience grant and that the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) would be carrying out a final reconciliation of funding to administering authorities this summer.

In answer to the Executive Members questions it was confirmed work with any applicants of approved schemes would continue after the closing date and that the proportion of applications made were competitive to other authorities who administered grants.

The Executive Member thanked officers for promoting the grant and for the advice and support given to flooded residents and businesses. He agreed it was essential flood resilience measures continued to help home and business owners to understand and

consider their ownflood risk management.

Resolved:

(i)       That the review of the flood resilience grant process to   date be considered.

(ii)      That the recommended closure of the flood resilience grant application process on 31 May 2017 be widely communicated and that work continued with any applicants of approved schemes after this time be agreed.

(iii)     That the recommendations of the York Flood Inquiry and the 9 February 2017 Executive meeting to target additional funding subject to the Council budget process to reinforce flood resilience in the city be agreed and that update reports to review the progress with the delivery of the recommendations be considered at future Executive Member for Environment Decision Sessions.

Reason: Delivery of the flood resilience grant has helped a wide range of homes and businesses prepare for future flood events, further development of flood risk resilience will move to the delivery of the recommendations of the Flood Inquiry.