Decision details

Discussion:

The Head of Capital Projects, Road Safety and Networks gave a comprehensive overview of the mandatory work required by the Environment Agency by 22 June 2011 and the future work to be accomplished over the following 12–18 months to comply with the duties imposed on the council by the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and Flood Risk Regulations 2009.

The committee was advised that the aim of the regulations was to reduce the likelihood and consequence of flooding by establishing a common framework for the understanding and managing of flood risk.

Members were informed that officers were working together with other authorities across the south east of England to achieve a consistent approach to the design and development of the council’s policy, so that there would be consistency for residents and businesses across the region. Officers would also submit a further, detailed report during June/July 2011 for the committee’s consideration.

The committee asked officers to be especially careful when producing and publishing maps of potential flood risk areas, as once they were published they could be used by insurance companies when determining their risks and premiums.

Members also asked about the possibility of Medway being exempt from having to undertake the work, as the primary risk of significant flooding arose only from tidal flooding and not from rainfall or river floods. Officers advised that until guidance had been published which defined the meaning of “significant” they were unable to answer this point.

Decision:

The committee:

(a)noted the contents of the report;

(b)   recommended that Council adds responsibility for the review and scrutiny of flood and coastal erosion risk management functions under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 to this committee’s remit;

(c)   noted that a future report would be submitted for consideration in June or July 2011.