To accept and authorise the spend of the Flood defence grant in aid and Local Regional Flood Risk Management Committee funding offered by the Environment Agency up to £1,273,600 in support of the proposed Natural Flood Management project ( “NFM Project”) and to approve the commencement of the procurement of Catchment Advisor services to support the project.

THAT:

a)      The funding of £1,273,600 offered by the Environment Agency be accepted and expenditure of the funding in support of the proposed NFM Project across the 5 year period up until 31 March 2027 be authorised;

b)      All operational decisions and spend of the £1,273,600 funding in accordance with the Business Case (Annex 1) be delegated to the Interim Service Director Environment, Highways and Waste, in consultation with the Cabinet member for Infrastructure and transport; and

c)      The commencement of the procurement of Catchment Advisor services to support the project be approved and all operational decisions be delegated to the Interim Service Director Environment, Highways and Waste.

Not to accept and approve the £1,273,600 funding in support of the proposed NFM Project and/or accept and approve part funding. This is not recommended as the council is a ‘Lead Local Flood Authority’ and this project would not enable the council to discharge its statutory responsibilities to coordinate the management of local flood risk. It will also assist with the achievement of the objectives that we have set out in our Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.