To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Hewitt.

(The Monitoring Officer had advised Councillor Hardwick  ward member for Backbury ward, that he had a disclosable pecuniary interest in the Fownhope Road (as the joint landowner at Lechmere Ley) and should not therefore participate in the meeting.  Accordingly he sent his apologies.)

To receive details of members nominated to attend the meeting in place of a member of the committee.

Councillor Bowen substituted for Councillor Hewitt.

To receive declarations of interests in respect of Schedule 1, Schedule 2 or Other Interests from members of the committee in respect of items on the agenda.

None.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 25 January 2021.

RESOLVED:       That the minutes of the meeting held on 25 January 2021 be approved.

To receive any written questions from members of the public.

None.

To receive any written questions from members of the council.

None.

To review how the Fownhope flood repair works were delivered and any lessons to be learned for the future.

The Committee reviewed the delivery of the Fownhope flood repair works and considered any lessons to be learned for the future.

The Chairperson remarked that the Committee had agreed to consider the matter in response to a specific request from Fownhope Parish Council.

It was noted that additional material had been published as a supplement to the agenda papers: a proposed order of business for consideration of the item, a submission by Fownhope Parish Council and photographs of the affected areas..

The Chairman reminded the Committee that, as referred to at Paragraph 45 of the report an independent review of the Fownhope Road repair projects was to be commissioned.  There was an opportunity for the Committee to propose matters for inclusion in that review.

A short video was shown showing the damage to the B4224 Fownhope Road and the extent of the flooding that had affected the County.

The Assistant Director and Acting Expert Adviser presented the report.

Representatives of Fownhope and Woolhope Group Parish Councils were then invited to comment.

Councillor John Harrington, Cabinet Member – Infrastructure and Transport then commented.

The Committee then discussed the matter asking a number of questions to which responses were given.

On conclusion of the debate representatives of Fownhope and Woolhope Group Parish Councils were then invited to make any final comments.

RESOLVED to recommend to the executive:       

That      (a)     the executive support and encourage the delivery by BBLP of projects for the benefit of the Fownhope and Woolhope communities;

              (b)     repairs to restore roads in the locality damaged by their use as a diversion route during the closure of the Fownhope Road are prioritised;

              (c)     the executive encourage Fownhope and Woolhope Parish Councils to make representations to local MPs to seek funding for highway maintenance, and highlight shortcomings in the Bellwin scheme that appear to have been revealed, and the need for that scheme to be reviewed and for other funding sources to be provided if it is concluded that the Bellwin Scheme itself does not require revision;

              (d)     the executive make further representations to local MPs to seek additional grant funding for highway maintenance, and highlight shortcomings in the Bellwin scheme that appear to have been revealed, and the need for that scheme to be reviewed and for other funding sources to be provided if it is concluded that the Bellwin Scheme itself does not require revision;

              (e)     consideration be given to whether the situation could be presented to Government as a case study highlighting the adverse impact on the local community as a result of lack of funding;

        (f)      a robust review of the risks to other lengths of the B4224 of similar topography be conducted to establish if there is a need for preventative measures;

        (g)     given the experiences on the B4224 consideration be given to whether  there any other sites in the county that could be similarly problematic in the event of flooding with a view to adopting a more preventative approach to maintenance across the county;

        (h)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

To consider the 2016-2022 local flood risk management strategy action plan which identifies a programme of work for reducing local flood risk within Herefordshire.

The Committee considered the 2016-22 local flood risk management strategy action plan.

The Directorate Services Team Leader presented the report.

The Committee discussed the matter.

Officers and representatives of the Environment Agency and BBLP responded to a number of questions.

RESOLVED: to recommend to the executive:

That:     (a)     prioritisation of actions in the action plan be re-evaluated;

              (b)     the council strengthen efforts with the Environment Agency to focus on flood mitigation measures for all watercourses;

              (c)     further efforts be made to reinforce the message to landowners to emphasise their riparian responsibilities  as riparian owners to maintain drainage and make them aware of support and assistance available through the Council;

              (d)     consider how the Council can increase resources to manage drainage issues and invest in the drainage asset;

              (e)     review weighting given to the threshold for action to implement measures to address flooding on lengths of highway known to flood frequently, having regard to the need to ensure access for emergency vehicles;

              (f)      the liaison between the EA and the Council to disseminate flooding information to residents taking advantage of the Council’s communication networks be kept under review to ensure that it is as effective as possible, noting the role parish councils and community groups can play;

              (g)     consideration be given to whether the website content on flooding is readily accessible and  sufficient or can be improved, with consideration given to use of apps and other methods;

              (h)     improve information to local residents on respective responsibilities of residents themselves, the Council and the Environment Agency;

(i)               consideration be given to an annual survey of Parish Councils to establish information on their flooding experiences and any suggestions for improvements;

              (j)      regard be had to knowledge of local residents and Parish Councils on areas subject to flooding and residents and Parish Councils be invited and encouraged to submit information;

              (k)     review highways maintenance plan to see if there should be greater focus on roads subject to flooding;

              (l)      consideration be given to raising awareness of the contribution to flooding made by climate change and information available via a link on the council’s website; and

              (m)    the mechanism for the production of Section 19 reports be reviewed and streamlined to seek to ensure the pace of completion is improved and appropriate resource allocated to support this aim.

To review the committee’s work programme.

The Committee reviewed its work programme.

RESOLVED: That the draft work programme as set out at appendix 1 to the report be approved. 

The next scheduled meeting is 26 April 2021 (10.15 am).

Monday 26 April 2021 at 10.15 am.