Issue - meetings

This report provides an update regarding progress on the York Five Year Flood Plan since the last update on 11 March 2019, including details of work carried out by the Environment Agency.

Resolved:  (i)      That the update report, and the additional information provided 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, with the support of council officers, be asked to consider further engagement with the residents of Skeldergate regarding their concerns about property resilience as a solution.

Reason:     So that residents can be properly informed on, and involved in, flood prevention measures in their area.

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, to the Executive Member for Environment, on 11 March.  It included a summary of city-wide activities, an update on work in each flood cell, current plans for public engagement up to December 2019 and a briefing note on flood cell prioritisation. The EA had awarded funding to the council to develop a property flood resilience pathfinder project, details of which were attached at Annex 2.

The EA officer gave a further update on activities within individual flood cells, and council officers expanded on the information provided in Annex 2.  During these updates, and in response to questions from the Executive Member, it was confirmed that:

·        In cell B4 (Scarborough Bridge to Ouse Bridge), work was progressing well towards completion before Remembrance Sunday.

·        In cell B8 (Clementhorpe & South Bank), the EA was examining alternatives to the closure of Terry Avenue and working with the council’s Communications team to improve engagement with South Bank residents.

·        In cell B12 (Scarborough Bridge to Lendal Bridge), it was planned to put temporary measures in place pending the start of work on the embankment through Museum Gardens

·        On the Foss Barrier, it was hoped to replace the barrier itself in late 2019.

·        There was a need for active community engagement in Skeldergate, based on the successful approach in New Walk, to ensure that residents were aware of the benefits of differing solutions to flood risk.

·        Consideration would be given to engaging with local colleges on their potential involvement in the pathfinder project.

The Executive Member commented favourably on the work being carried out and the format of the information provided, and

Resolved:  (i)      That the update report, and the additional information provided 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, with the support of council officers, be asked to consider further engagement with the residents of Skeldergate regarding their concerns about property resilience as a solution.

Reason:     So that residents can be properly informed on, and involved in, flood prevention measures in their area.