Issue - meetings

Cabinet received a report which had been prepared in order to meet a statutory requirement for the Council to adopt a local flood risk management strategy. This followed public consultation on a draft strategy during 2014.

The purpose of the report was to consult and seek agreement from Cabinet that the Peterborough Flood Risk Management Strategy be recommended for adoption by Full Council.

Councillor Hiller, Cabinet Member for Growth, Planning, Housing and Economic Development,introduced the report and highlighted the main issues contained within.

The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 (FWMA 2010) made Peterborough City Council a Lead Local Flood Authority, with responsibility for co-ordinating the management of surface water flood risk (flooding from surface runoff, groundwater and ordinary watercourses). Lead Local Flood Authorities had a duty to develop, maintain, apply and monitor a ‘local flood risk management strategy’. The Strategy had been developed as a partnership plan with all of the flood and water management organisations and would be reviewed every five to six years.

Following additional comments from the Council’s Flood and Water Management Officer, Cabinet debated the report and key points raised and responses to questions included:

·         Changes had been made to the National Planning Policy Framework and the National Town and Country Planning Act which meant that local planning authorities had a requirement to ensure sustainable drainage systems were incorporated into major developments in order to manage surface water run off;

·         The Strategy related to all aspects of flood risk and was a coordinated plan with partners. There were no extra financial implications to the Council;

·         Government funding could not be accessed unless there was a clear demonstration of partnership working, this would increase the likelihood of obtaining funding;

·         Peterborough City Council was part of the Local Resilience Forum alongside Cambridge; and

·         Ultimate responsibility for protecting property lay with the land and property owner. Maintenance of water courses also lay with the land owner;

Cabinet considered the report and RESOLVED to recommend to Full Council that the Peterborough Flood Risk Management Strategy be adopted.

          REASONS FOR THE DECISION

The Flood Management Strategy would:

·           Meet statutory requirements;

·           Make Peterborough more resilient to flooding;

·           Help to co-ordinate and attract investment into Peterborough for both flood risk management and wider environmental and amenity improvements;

·           Aid the delivery of sustainable growth;

·           Assist with the city’s aspiration to create the UK’s Environment Capital; and

·           Be a reference guide for Council officers, Flood Warden, Parish Council and communities who want to more know more about flood and water management.

          ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

The Council was required to produce a ‘local flood risk management strategy’ in accordance with its duties as a Lead Local Flood Authority. It was therefore not an option to not produce a strategy. The only available alternative was to produce a document that covered only the sources of flooding that Peterborough City Council was responsible for.

This option was rejected in favour of preparing a plan in partnership with all other flood risk management authorities, covering all sources  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5