To receive an update from the Environmental Health Manager (Environment).
Minutes:
The Environmental Health Manager (Environment) presented the report which provided an update on Emergency Planning and Flood and Water Management. The report outlined the work on going in these areas.
(i) Emergency Planning
It was explained that the Council had a Corporate responsibility and a statutory duty to prepare and plan for civil emergencies. To assist with fulfilling this duty the Council participated in the Norfolk Resilience Forum. The Norfolk Resilience Forum was a multi-agency forum which maintained emergency plans, provided training and promoted community resilience. The Forum had a dedicated website – www.norfolkprepared.gov.uk which held copies of emergency plans and a copy of the Community Risk Register.
The Norfolk Resilience Forum had prepared a Community Risk Register for Norfolk which examined local risks and prioritised them. Presently two local risks had been highlighted as high risk for the area – tidal flooding and pandemic flu.
The Borough Council had its own Emergency Plan which was reviewed on an annual basis and set out how rest centres could be used and the volunteers and officers who would be required to deal with an emergency.
The Environmental Health Manager provided details of issues that the Emergency Planning Department had dealt with over the past twelve months and included:
· 31 Environment Agency Flood Alerts/Warnings across the Borough
· 24 Met Office Weather Warnings
· 15 incidents/emerging issues – sometimes a response was required and sometimes Emergency Planning just kept a watching brief.
· Prepare and publish a Flood Warning leaflet in partnership with the Environment Agency.
· Attending training exercises.
· Participating in engagement events
· Administering the Borough Council’s Emergency Warden’s Group which was made up of volunteers who provided assistance with rest centres.
· Attendance at the Corporate Business Continuity Group to provide technical advice and training. Updates on Business Continuity were reported to the Audit and Risk Committee.
· Administering the West Norfolk Public Event Safety Advisory Group which provided assistance to event organisers for public events.
(ii) Flood and Water Management
The Environmental Health Manager explained that the recovery from the tidal surge last year had almost been completed and details of the work carried out was included in the report. A variety of grants had been made available for businesses and properties affected by floods to flood proof properties and install flood prevention measures.
The Environmental Health Manager explained that the Borough Council had adopted the Wash East Coast Management Strategy, which was now in the process of being adopted by the Environment Agency. The Strategy provided the framework to manage the coast in three areas: Hunstanton Cliffs, Hunstanton Promenade and the Area from Heacham to Wolferton Creek. A Funding Group and a Stakeholder Group would be established to oversee the implementation of the strategy and a Community Interest Company had been set up to provide part of the funding requirements.
Other work carried out to deal with Flood and Water Management included the following:
· Dealing with flooding caused by heavy thunderstorms in August.
· Attending meetings of the Corporate Flood and Water Management Group.
· Responding to consultations from the Environment Agency and King’s Lynn Internal Drainage Board expansion plan.
The Chairman thanked the Environmental Health Manager for his presentation and invited questions and comments from the Panel.
Councillor Mrs Watson referred to the Wash East Coast Management Strategy and the areas of the coast that it covered. She asked who was responsible for the rest of the coast and the Environmental Health Manager confirmed that it was the Environment Agency’s responsibility and that repairs to the flood banks had been completed. The Environmental Health Manager explained that tactical flood plans and maps were available which set out who was responsible for each area.
In response to a question from the Vice Chairman, Councillor Mrs Wright, the Environmental Health Manager explained that the Community Interest Company which would be set up to take forward the Wash East Coast Management Strategy would be funded by voluntary contributions from businesses and individuals. He explained that most businesses had indicated that they would be willing to contribute and a Funding Group would be established to look at different mechanisms for funding.
The Vice Chairman, Councillor Mrs Wright requested that the relevant Ward Members be kept informed of progress with the Community Interest Company and progress towards the Wash East Coast Management Strategy.
The Portfolio Holder for Environment, Councillor Long explained that the current protection along the coast was of varying standard and it would cost a significant sum to bring all of the defences up to the same standard. The Community Interest Company would work to make improvements, but it was acknowledged that the priority would be to ensure that the coast was defended. Improvements to flood defences could be looked at in the future if there was the opportunity to raise larger funds in the future. The Portfolio Holder for Environment explained that the Environment Agency were looking at their costs for assessments and administrations and if costs could be reduced, although it would still be necessary to carry out Environmental Impact Assessments as the area was highly designated.
The Chief Executive commented that the Community Interest Company would seek contributions from individuals, but these would be voluntary, so the amount likely to be charged to Businesses would be calculated on the sum required. The Chief Executive acknowledged that there would be a stage in the future when significant repair work would be required and this would require significant investment.
RESOLVED: The update was noted.