Agenda item

The committee considered a report of the Assistant Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Neighbourhood Services which gave an update on the recommendations contained within the Flooding Scrutiny Review published in September 2014 (for copy of report, see file of minutes).

The Head of Technical Services and the Drainage and Coastal Protection Manager gave Members a presentation on the Flood and Coastal Protection Update which provided details of the schemes detailed in the Medium Term Financial Plan which amounted to £3.5m some of which had been completed and all schemes had an element of environment agency funding.

Using surface water flood maps they had identified approximately 10,000 properties at risk form a 1:100 year storm flooding event and they were working thorough the list to identify viable schemes that could be put into the Medium Term Financial Plan, Year 7 (2021-2027).

They went on to talk about the development of sustainable urban drainage systems approval body to advise that the Government had made amendments to the National Policy Framework and that the Drainage and Coastal Protection Team are statutory consultees that provided advice on all major development. Durham County Council had worked with private landlords in relation to flooding of private land impacting on Durham County Council land. The authority has legislation at its disposal should enforcement action be required by way of the Highway Act and the Land Drainage Act but most landowners co-operate fully with the authority. They also referred to the recent amendments to policy 46 which incorporated the changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and technical standards for Sustainable Drainage Systems. The Council had developed a draft options policy and guide in consultation with planners and developers, the maintenance works for suds on new developments is proposed to be paid for by an annual payment made by the residents that were served by the sustainable drainage systems, should the developer choose to request Durham County Council to adopt and maintain the suds on new developments.

They concluded the presentation by providing members with details of the works that had been done at Witton Gilbert to prevent flooding.

Councillor May referred to the works that had been done at Witton Gilbert which looked spectacular but he sought clarification on the safety of the site as the flood ponds looked deep.

Officers responded that the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) had been engaged to carry out a risk assessment and they were happy with the site subject to some minor modifications. The area was fenced and the banks of the ponds were not that steep.

Councillor Jewell sought clarification on the cost of maintenance of the site at Witton Gilbert. In response to the question Members were advised that before the works were carried out the site required intense maintenance. They had consulted with land owners with regard to ditching and they all understood what was required to maintain the ditches. The area did not require any grass cutting or excavation so maintenance was a minimum.

The Chairman referred to Sustainable Drainage Systems and asked who informed home owners that they were responsible for the maintenance costs. Officers responded that the system did not disadvantage residents as developers previously added this cost to the cost of the property so this system should make the property cheaper initially. The system was similar to water rates and the money was collected in the same way as council tax. The Sustainable Drainage System should be reflected in the deeds of the property but the payment should be made clear to residents during the conveyance stage of the purchase.

Councillor May commented that this could impact on other areas and could residents be asked to pay for services like grass cutting. Officers responded that it was a progressive system and the cost was divided by all properties and was based on the square footage of the property. The maintenance was indexed linked to inflation so could go up or down and would be reviewed periodically.

Councillor Clark asked if the new Sustainable Drainage System scheme would impact on the house insurance for residents that were affected by the flooding. Officers responded that they would offer residents a letter to provide to their insurance company and they understood that it was reflected in the insurance premium.

Les Hall, Development Manager, Northumbrian Water Ltd was in attendance and provided members with the background into his role which he had held since 2007 and had worked with various local authorities.

He provided members with an update in relation to the status of current projects and details of projects which had recently been released including schemes at Crook Hall, Windelstone, Barker Haugh, University, Aycliffe, Bearpark, Chilton and Tudhoe Mill and Witton Gilbert. He also provided details of existing works which were to be updated including Bishop Middleham, Sherburn, Chester le Street, East Tanfieled, Hussledown and Ramshaw and that they had a rolling programme to update sewerage works.

Councillor Clare sought clarification on the sewerage treatment and the impact from water. Les Hall provided Councillor Clare with details of the processes involved.

Councillor May referred to the water supply and how much investment was needed to supply to estates. Les Hall indicated that this was not his area but would provide Councillor May with a written response.

The Chairman thanked Les Hall for attending the meeting and indicated that the capital programme was good and the partnership was working well.

Resolved: (i) That the contents of the report and presentation be noted.

(ii) That the Committee receive a further report detailing progress made against the recommendations contained in the scrutiny review at a future meeting.