Issue - meetings

This report provides an update regarding progress on the York Five Year Flood Plan since the last update, on 3 September 2018, including details of work carried out by the Environment Agency.

Resolved:  (i)     That the updated report, and the information presented at the session by the Environment Agency (EA), be noted.

Reason:     To confirm that the Executive Member is aware of the current position regarding progress on the 5 Year Flood Plan.

                   (ii)      That the EA recognise the concerns of residents to develop schemes to the point of delivery and detail the steps it has taken to improve speed of delivery through design, supply chain and the planning process.

                   (iii)     That an ongoing approach be developed for engagement and resilience building across the city.

                   (iv)    That the comments from councillors attending this Decision Session be noted.

                   (v)     That future reports include regular updates on the outline business case for the whole scheme, presented in a clear and concise manner.

Reason:     To maintain clear communication with residents and enable the Flood Plan to be properly monitored to ensure that it is delivered within budget and on time.

The Executive Member considered a report which provided an update on progress against the York Five Year Flood Plan in York.  An officer from the Environment Agency (EA) was in attendance to present the update and answer questions. 

Annex 1 to the report detailed work carried out by the EA since the last update, on 3 September.  It included a summary of city-wide activities, an update on work in each flood cell and progress on the York Flood Alleviation Scheme six month public engagement programme.  A newsletter sent to Clementhorpe residents in November was also attached.  The EA officer highlighted key points and, with council officers, responded to questions from the Executive Member and matters raised under Public Participation, as summarised below:

·        The EA recognised that the situation in Flood Cell B8 (Clementhorpe / Millennium Bridge) was not ideal; unexpected problems revealed by the results of structural analysis received in October had led to further delay, as mentioned in the residents’ newsletter.

·        Options were still being considered to find the best long term solution pending receipt of further information; meanwhile the ward member’s comments on engagement with residents would be taken on board and efforts made to improve this.

·        The EA would write to the Executive Member and the Corporate Director of Economy & Place if the council could assist at all in speeding up the process.

·        In general terms, the EA aimed to manage its projects through early contractor engagement and the use of 2 or 3 contractors on a single project to spread the risk.

·        The EA was liaising with council officers on the Castle Gateway project regarding the use of land for additional work at the Foss Barrier site.

·        Results of the council’s bid for Defra funding towards a holistic pumping scheme in flood cell B9 (Fulford), delivering multiple benefits to the A19 and Fordlands Road, were expected before Christmas.

·        An option for a temporary solution in flood cell B12 would be discussed at a steering group meeting next week and local residents would be kept informed.

·        The EA had submitted an outline business case to Defra for all its schemes in York; once this was approved a full business case would be costed and submitted.

Resolved:  (i)     That the updated report, and the information presented at the session by the Environment Agency (EA) and council officers, be noted.

Reason:     To confirm that the Executive Member is aware of the current position regarding progress on the 5 Year Flood Plan.

                   (ii)      That the EA recognise the concerns of residents to develop schemes to the point of delivery and detail the steps it has taken to improve speed of delivery through design, supply chain and the planning process.

                   (iii)     That an ongoing approach be developed for engagement and resilience building across the city.

                   (iv)    That the comments from councillors attending this Decision Session be noted.

                   (v)     That future reports include regular updates on the outline business case for the whole scheme, presented in a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29