Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Communities & Housing)

The report provides a detailed response to the questions raised by Members following the flooding incidents in June, an independent investigation into the causes of the flooding, the Council’s initial response to the flooding, its response to the recovery phase and the actions that the Council could take to minimise the impact of future flooding events.

The Executive is recommended to approve delegating the approval of the final section 19 report to the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Communities and Supporting Places) and request that officers work with other flood risk management agencies to implement its recommendations.

The Executive is recommended to support the implementation of the flood damage repair programme for Council assets and supports that reserves are utilised to finance this work.

The Executive is also requested to support the proposal that the Council host a Partner Agency meeting with all key partners including the Environment Agency and United Utilities to develop a joined up response to the section 19 report and action plans.

Officer Contact: Sue Stevenson, 0161 474 4351, sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Communities & Housing) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider the outcome of an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the flooding that took place in parts of Stockport in June 2016, including the Council’s response to those incidents. The report also identified recommendations for action that would seek to minimise the effect of future flooding incidents.

RESOLVED – That in respect of the Final Report on the flooding incident of 11/12 June 2016:-

·         approval of the final section 19 report be delegated to the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Communities and Housing) and officers be requested to work with other flood risk management agencies to implement the report’s recommendations;

·         the implementation of the flood damage repair programme for Council assets and that reserves are utilised to finance this work be supported; and

·         the proposal that the Council host a Partner Agency meeting with all key partners including the Environment Agency and United Utilities to develop a joined up response to the section 19 report and action plans be supported.

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

This report covers a number of issues arising from the flooding in Stockport during June 2016, including the outcome of an independent investigation into the causes of the flooding, the Council’s initial response to the flooding, its response to the recovery phase and the actions that the Council could take to minimise the impact of future flooding events. The report also sets out work the Council has undertaken in light of the Independent Review.

The further flooding that took place in September will be the subject of a separate investigation and report.

This report pulls together all the various aspects of work concerning the flood incidents in June and specifically incorporates the following:

·         The draft Independent Section 19 Investigation Report in accordance with the Flood & Water Management Act (FWMA) on the investigation into the flooding incidents undertaken by Jacobs Consulting Engineers;

·         A review into the Council’s response to the flooding and a review of the multi-agency response undertaken by the Civil Contingencies and Resilience Unit, Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA),

·         An update on the implementation of the Flood Risk Management Strategy.

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

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161-474-4351or email:  sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

Sue Stevenson (Transportation Policy, Programmes and GIS Manager, Stockport Council) attended the meeting to present the outcome of an independent investigation into the causes of the flooding in Stockport during June 2016 including the Council’s initial response to the flooding, its response to the recovery phase and the actions that the Council could take to minimise the impact of future flooding events. The report also sets out work the Council has undertaken in light of the Independent Review.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Concern was expressed in relation to the accuracy of the plotting of watercourses contained within the report.

·         Residents in high risk areas needed to be better informed in relation to flood risk and the measures that they could take to protect themselves from the impact of flooding in the future.

·         The Council needed to take advantage of potential funding streams to make improvements to the capacity of existing drainage and the development of new mitigation measures.

·         Work was ongoing to trace the course of a culvert that had been found under the Bramhall Green roundabout.

·         Previous measures to mitigate flood risk had focussed on moving water quickly from one place to another; however, consideration needed to be given to the effectiveness of measures to capture or slow the flow of water within designated locations.

·         Concern was expressed that the cost associated with the report was not reflected in its quality.

·         It was commented that members of the Area Committee had previously raised concerns about the response of United Utilities to water escaping from their drainage system in advance of the flooding in June which had not been attended to.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

This report covers a number of issues arising from the flooding in Stockport during June 2016, including the outcome of an independent investigation into the causes of the flooding, the Council’s initial response to the flooding, its response to the recovery phase and the actions that the Council could take to minimise the impact of future flooding events. The report also sets out work the Council has undertaken in light of the Independent Review.

The further flooding that took place in September will be the subject of a separate investigation and report.

This report pulls together all the various aspects of work concerning the flood incidents in June and specifically incorporates the following:

·           The draft Independent Section 19 Investigation Report in accordance with the Flood & Water Management Act (FWMA) on the investigation into the flooding incidents undertaken by Jacobs Consulting Engineers;

·           A review into the Council’s response to the flooding and a review of the multi-agency response undertaken by the Civil Contingencies and Resilience Unit, Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA),

·           An update on the implementation of the Flood Risk Management Strategy.

The Area Committee is invited to comment on the report.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson, 0161-474-4351, sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk   

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a detailed response to the questions raised by Members following the flooding incidents in June, an independent investigation into the causes of the flooding, the Council’s initial response to the flooding, its response to the recovery phase and the actions that the Council had taken to minimise the impact of future flooding events. The report also set out work that the Council had undertaken in light of the independent review.

The further flooding that took place in September would be the subject of a separate investigation and report.

The following issues were raised / comments made:-

•           The Edgeley and Cheadle Heath Ward Councillors were in favour of the review of land drainage and surrounding pavement drainage of Bonar Park (currently blocked), but they were not in favour of raising the kerbs on Myrtle Street and Ash Street as an option to direct run off safely away from properties.

•           One of the major problems that arose at the time of the flooding was the supply of sandbags and the provision of skips. One of the major problems with sandbags was that they could not be kept and stockpiled. The provision of skips was being investigated. One of the problems was that that insurance companies wished to see the flood damage before the damaged items were removed.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides a detailed response to the questions raised by Members of the Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee in June 2016, an independent investigation into the causes of the flooding, the Council’s initial response to the flooding, its response to the recovery phase and the actions that the Council could take to minimise the impact of future flooding events.

The Area Committee are invited to:-

·         comment on the draft Jacobs Section 19 Investigation Report and recommend that the Executive Meeting approves the final report.

·         recommend that the Executive Meeting supports the implementation of the flood damage repair programme for Council assets and supports that reserves are utilised to finance this work.

·         comment on the proposal for the Council to host a Partner Agency meeting with all key partners including the Environment Agency and United Utilities to develop a joined up response to our action plan.

Officer Contact: Sue Stevenson on 02161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a detailed response to questions raised at the Executive and Council meetings about flooding incidents in June.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Councillors identified a number of areas that had suffered problems with flooding which were not included in the report including  Cromley Road and Windlehurst Road.

·         Station Road in Strines should also be mentioned as well as the Canal flooding in Station Road.

·         Gulley cleansing schedules should be reviewed to ensure that the area’s most prone to flooding are given the highest priority.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

This report covers a number of issues arising from the flooding in Stockport during June 2016, including the outcome of an independent investigation into the causes of the flooding, the Council’s initial response to the flooding, its response to the recovery phase and the actions that the Council could take to minimise the impact of future flooding events. The report also sets out work the Council has undertaken in light of the Independent Review.

The further flooding that took place in September will be the subject of a separate investigation and report.

This report pulls together all the various aspects of work concerning the flood incidents in June and specifically incorporates the following:

·           The draft Independent Section 19 Investigation Report in accordance with the Flood & Water Management Act (FWMA) on the investigation into the flooding incidents undertaken by Jacobs Consulting Engineers;

·           A review into the Council’s response to the flooding and a review of the multi-agency response undertaken by the Civil Contingencies and Resilience Unit, Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA),

·           An update on the implementation of the Flood Risk Management Strategy.

The Area Committee is invited to comment on the report.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson, 0161-474-4351, sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk   

Sue Stevenson (Interim Head of Highways and Transportation, Stockport Council) attended the meeting to present the findings of an independent investigation into the flooding incidents in Stockport in June 2016, including those on the Bosden Farm Estate, Offerton. The report sought to establish whether the Council and other partners could have done more to prevent the flooding, or to better respond to the flooding that had occurred. The report also identified what actions could be taken to minimise the risk of future occurrences.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Concerns were expressed about the distribution of sandbags and the perception that this was not done according to an open and fair process. In response, it was stated that a policy for sandbags would be developed.

·         During the floods a number of drivers ignored warnings and road closure signage and drove through flood waters, forcing water into houses and causing distress and conflict. Residents themselves resorted to physically blocking the road. Having an early response team to ensure compliance might be advisable.

·         It was difficult for Councillors to access emergency information, and this would be more difficult for residents affected as they would not have easy access to the internet.

·         Concerns were expressed about how robust the jetting of the gullies had been following the floods.

·         In relation to suggestions that the A6MARR project had contributed to the flooding, it was stated that there were insurance claims ongoing and so this had not been featured significantly in the report. Nevertheless, it was stated that the Poise Brook had discharged water onto the A6MARR site, rather than the other way around. Problems had also been encountered due to a constriction in the flow of the Brook near Golf Course Road.

·         Clarification was sought on the programme of gulley cleansing. In response it was stated that all gullies were subject to cleansing at least every 18 months, although areas of high risk or those particularly prone to blocking were cleansed more frequently.

·         The Council and partners were undertaking work to better understand the drainage network, including the location of culverts etc.

·         Improvements were needed to the current facilitates on the Council website to allow for the public to report problems and faults on the drainage network, as well as providing more information about cleansing schedules etc.

·         It was queried whether debris from Torkington Park contributed to the blocking the culvert in the park. In response it was stated that the responsibility for the water course was with the Environment Agency, though the Council would of course be working to ensure that as part of the maintenance of the park unnecessary materials that may impact on the water course and culvert were removed.

·         What more could the Council do to ensure property owners were aware of their responsibilities to maintain water courses through their property? In response it was stated that the Council would seek to offer advice to property owners on their responsibilities.

·         Many of those areas flooded had not been identified as high risk areas in the Council’s recent Flood Risk Management Strategy.

·         The importance and role of community groups in providing resilience and support in these circumstances was acknowledged.

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

(2) That the comments of the Area Committee be considered as part of the development of the proposals relating to flooding.

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

The report provides a detailed response to the questions raised by Members following the flooding incidents in June, an independent investigation into the causes of the flooding, the Council’s initial response to the flooding, its response to the recovery phase and the actions that the Council could take to minimise the impact of future flooding events.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to:-

·         comment on the draft Jacobs Section 19 Investigation Report and recommend that the Executive Meeting approves the final report.

·         recommend that the Executive Meeting supports the implementation of the flood damage repair programme for Council assets and supports that reserves are utilised to finance this work.

·         comment on the proposal for the Council to host a Partner Agency meeting with all key partners including the Environment Agency and United Utilities to develop a joined up response to our action plan.

Officer Contact: Sue Stevenson on 02161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a detailed response to the questions raised by Members following the flooding incidents in June, an independent investigation into the causes of the flooding, the Council’s initial response to the flooding, its response to the recovery phase and the actions that the Council had taken to minimise the impact of future flooding events.

The report advised that the AGMA’s Civil Contingencies and Resilience Unit had undertook reviews into the Council’s response to the flooding and the multi-agency response and had made a number of recommendations including:-

•           A review of the out of hours service

•           A review of communications support and approach to incidents

•           A review of the policy for the provision of sandbags and skips

•           Encouraging residents to become resilient.

The external agency review recommendations included:-

•           The development of a greater understanding of the resources each agency had available to support the response (for example, Environment Agency support for the Council).

•           Ensuring effective multi-agency information sharing and co-ordination to establish the full extent of the impact of an incident earlier on in the aftermath of a subsequent incident.

•           Ensuring that appropriate agencies were brought into the recovery phase as soon as it was convened.

•           Ensuring that neighbouring local authority areas were communicated with at the earliest opportunity in order to manage any potential cross boundary issues.

The recommendations of both the internal and external reviews were being converted into an action plan with lead officers identified to implement the recommendations.

The report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 15 November 2016.

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

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

•           The issue of one of the manhole covers being raised and water coming out of it had been reported by Members at the meeting of the Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee held on 9 June 2016 prior to the floods occurring on 11/12 June 2016. A Member contended that United Utilities should have attended to the defective manhole cover as a matter of urgency at that time.

•           The issue of gully cleaning had been raised as a concern. A schedule for the cleaning of gullies needed to be available.

•           As well as discussions having commenced with colleagues in the AGMA Civil Contingencies and Resilience Unit regarding opportunities to cooperate with the utilisation of control rooms especially when larger scale incidents occur, similar discussions needed to occur with Cheshire East Council.

•           The roads in the most badly affected areas needed to be closed to prevent motorists trying to drive through them.

•           Support was given to the proposal for the Council to host a Partner Agency meeting with all key partners, including the Environment Agency and United Utilities, in order to develop a ‘joined up’ response to the Council’s Action Plan.

RESOLVED – That the Executive Meeting be recommended to approve the final report and support the implementation of the flood damage repair programme for Council assets and the recommendation that reserves are utilised to finance this work.