Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report provides an update on the various roles and responsibilities of the Council with regard to flooding and flood resilience including its roles as the Lead Local Flood Authority, Highway Authority and landowner; both of greenspace and working with Stockport Homes with its significant housing assets.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note the work undertaken to improve flood resilience in Stockport and support the continued partnership working and investment in these area.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk and Jamie Birtles at jamie.birtles@stockport.gov.uk 

The Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the various roles and responsibilities of the Council with regard to flooding and flood resilience including its roles as the Lead Local Flood Authority, Highway Authority and landowner; both of greenspace and working with Stockport Homes with its significant housing assets.

The Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services (Councillor Grace Baynham) attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Members commented positively on plans to identify and record ghost ponds. It was noted that in recent decades many ponds, previously used as storage systems for incidents of heavy rain, had been drained and built upon.

·         Members also commented positively on sustainable drainage systems at schools, citing an example at Greave Primary School which had proved to be a success. School children had used the pond to learn about environmental issues and biodiversity and the location of the pond had helped to prevent waterlogging of the school’s football pitch.

·         It was noted that there were opportunities across the borough, not just on council owned land, but private land and schools to stop water flow and flooding. Ward councillors were encouraged to identify organisations within their areas where flood prevention measures could be implemented.  

·         It was reported that flooding officers provided expertise on flooding in relation to planning applications.

·         The tarmacking of drives within urban areas had the effect of causing additional water flow and flooding. Residents were considered to have a responsibility to hold and drain water on their land. The council did not have the resources, however, to engage in enforcement activities for tarmacked driveways. Local roads were not designed to deal with current levels of drainage required and more water was coming onto to roads where water was running off properties.

·         In terms of culverts it was reported that efforts were being made to de-culvert to slow the flow of water.

·         Efforts to hold water in the hills was beneficial to Stockport.

·         Members noted the water management scheme at Woodbank Park where water was held in the park to prevent flooding local neighbourhoods, then slowly released into the river.

·         Members commented positively on the council’s flood prevention work at Crossley Road, undertaken in conjunction with Manchester City Council

·         Funding for flood prevention measures came from Capital Funding and bids for external funds.  

RESOLVED – That the work undertaken to improve flood resilience in Stockport and support the continued partnership working and investment in these areas be noted.