Issue - meetings

Representatives of the Council have been invited to attend the meeting to update the Ward Committee on actions taken following flooding in June 2016.

Sue Stevenson, Interim Head of Highways and Transportation, attended the meeting to provide an update on the response of the Council and its partners to the flooding that took place in June 2016.

On 11 June there was severe rainfall affecting the Hazel Grove area, in particular around the Torkington Park area. 45.7mm of rain fell in 2 hours, which was the equivalent of 2/3 of expected monthly rainfall. This volume of water had put severe pressure on the drainage network, and caused flooding to some properties in the area.

The Environment Agency, who have responsibility for maintaining water courses, held a series of drop-in session in Stockport in those areas affected by flooding to provide guidance on flood risk minimisation and advice on rectifying problems caused by flooding. Council officers also attended these events.

The Council was offering flood grants to those affected by internal flooding to their properties and further details were available on the Council’s website.

The Council had commissioned an independent review of the response to the flooding during the June period, and a report back was expected in September 2016.

The flooding had caused damage to Council infrastructure, and a programme of repairs was being prepared to prioritise those facilities that had been forced to close.

The following questions were asked/ comments raised:-

·         Had blocked culverts contributed to the flooding? In response it was sated that the Environment Agency monitored the refuse building up on the gates on culverts to ensure this was cleaned regularly. Given the volume of water passing into the water courses this would bring with it additional debris that would then restrict the flow through culverts.

·         Concerns were raised about the frequency of the cleaning of the culvert grids in Torkington Park, and about whether these had been done prior to the flooding taking place.

·         Concerns were raised about whether all residents affected by flooding had bene contacted by the Council. In response it was stated that the Council had contacted all those residents who had made contact with the Council, Environment Agency or United Utilities to report flooding. It was not possible for the Council to identify affected residents otherwise.

RESOLVED – That Sue Stevenson be thanked for her attendance and presentation.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration

The report provides an update on the flooding incidents in the Stockport area that occurred on 11 June 2016, the immediate response of the Council and ongoing work to support residents affected and review the potential causes.

The Area Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer Contact: Caroline Simpson on 0161 218 1940 or email: caroline.simpson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the flooding incidents in the Stockport area that occurred on 11 June 2016, the immediate response of the Council and ongoing work to support residents affected and the review of the potential causes.

Sue Stevenson (Stockport Council) attended the meeting to answer questions from councillors and members of the public on behalf of the Council as the Lead Local Flood Authority.

The Chair expressed his disappointment that representatives of United Utilities and the Environment Agency had declined an invitation to attend this meeting of the Area Committee to explain their role in, and response to, the recent flooding in the Bramhall area. 

The following comments were made /issues raised:-

·         There had been very exceptional rainfall which had been estimated as being a 1 in 162 year event. 

·         The ground was already saturated following a period of wet weather which increased the risk of surface water flooding.

·         An investigation was taking place in accordance with Section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 to identify the causes behind the flooding.  It was requested that the final report be submitted to the Area Committee upon completion for its consideration.

·         It was reported that some residents had been deterred from applying for the £300 grant offered by the Council to residents of properties affected by flooding by the requirement to provide bank account information.  In response it was stated that the Council no longer offered payment by cheque and that all transactions were by electronic bank transfer.

·         United Utilities offered a discretionary payment system in those circumstances where they considered that they had some degree of responsibility for the flooding which had occurred.  Such payment had been made in the Offerton area, however at this stage United Utilities did not consider that their systems had contributed to the flooding in the Bramhall area.

·         It was stated that there needed to be a comprehensive assessment and survey of existing drains and culverts.  In response it was stated that a programme of surveys was scheduled to take place initially in high risk areas which had been identified as Cheadle and Romiley, however this was subject to review.

·         It was likely that incidences of rainfall experienced on 11 and 12 June would increase as a result of climate change and that existing drainage infrastructure had not been built to cope with such levels.

RESOLVED – (1) That Sue Stevenson be thanked for her attendance.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to submit the Section 19 Flood Report in to a future meeting of the Area Committee upon its completion.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration

The report provides an update on the flooding incidents in the Stockport area that occurred on 11 June 2016, the immediate response of the Council and ongoing work to support residents affected and review the potential causes.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the report and comment on the information provided.

Officer Contact: Caroline Simpson on 0161 218 1940 or email: caroline.simpson@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the flooding incidents in the Stockport area that had occurred on 11/12 June 2016, the immediate response of the Council and ongoing work to support residents affected and review the potential causes.

The Executive at its meeting on 14 June 2016 had requested that Officers commission an independent review in order to understand more fully what happened over the weekend of 11/12 June in terms of flooding. The review would include engagement with all stakeholders, a review of any potential underlying issues in relation to gulley emptying, flood management and any impact of ongoing developments and road schemes. The review would be reported to a future meeting of this Scrutiny Committee.

The Executive Councillor (Communities and Housing)(Councillor Sheila Bailey) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         A Member drew the Scrutiny Committee’s attention to that part of the report which stated that flooding was already a significant risk for the United Kingdom, with climate change projections suggesting that this would only increase in the future.

·         There would be extensive discussions with neighbouring local authorities and other authorities in Greater Manchester.

·         Skips should have been made available to local residents affected by the flooding as soon as it occurred, although it was acknowledged that damage to furniture had to be assessed by insurance companies in the first instance.

·         Concern was expressed regarding the condition of one of the sewers at Bramhall Green roundabout prior to the flooding occurring and that this may have exacerbated the problems there.

·         Concern was expressed that the Council’s Local Flood Risk Management Strategy had only recently been approved by the Executive.

·         The Environment Agency should be requested to re-examine its policy on obstructions in rivers such as abandoned tyres and the impact of these obstructions on the flow of rivers.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the report on the independent review on the flooding that occurred in the borough during the weekend of 11/12 June 2016 be submitted to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee.