Agenda item

This agenda item has been placed on the agenda at the request of the Area Committee. Jamie Birtles (Assistant Director for Strategic Infrastructure, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council) will be in attendance at the meeting to support the discussion on this item.

The agenda item had been placed on the agenda at the request of the Area Committee.

Jamie Birtles (Assistant Director for Strategic Infrastructure, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council) was in attendance at the meeting to support the discussion on this item.

The Chair then set out the procedure to support the discussion on the item.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         On New Years Day 2025, there had been record levels of rainfall which had caused problems across the borough of Stockport. Streets had been mobilised, and focus was given to urgent problem areas and critical infrastructure. Now the focus had shifted to understanding and cataloguing the damage to the public estate, which included but was not limited to, 27 streets and surrounding areas affected, two bridge collapses and 40 public rights of way affected. The council, Environment Agency and United Utilities had varying responsibilities in relation to flood risk management, and there was a huge task ahead for the borough. It was reported that extreme weather events were increasing. The council, as the lead flood risk authority, was currently compiling a Section 19 (investigation) report in relation to this flooding incident.

·         The aim of the discussion was to enable contributions from members and members of the public to feed into the investigation work surrounding the incident.

·         Members were advised that a site could not be fully flood risk free, and that a ‘catchment approach’ was in place with the aim of slowing the flow of water into the catchment basin in reducing the impact of flooding.

·         It was noted that the gully cleaning operation plan was available on the council’s website and gullies were cleaned at least once a year and at the most, three times a year. There was an opportunity to review the plan next year.

·         Members of the public were encouraged to pass along the names of affected streets and any other relevant details to be taken away for further investigation.

·         A concern was raised as to the size of drains and whether they could be made larger to take in higher quantities of water. It was reported that a gully had not appeared to be filled with debris e.g., leaves, and it was felt that perhaps drainage capacity was the issue. It was reported that the sewage system was between 100 and 150 years old, and that the council and United Utilities would have joint responsibility to increase capacity.

·         Concerns were raised in relation to car users driving through water and worsening the problems faced by residents. It was reported that the council had been closing roads as quickly as possible and that it was the responsibility of drivers not to violate these closures. It was noted that some cars stuck in flood water had been written off. Police resource had been focussed on life threatening situations and helping people to evacuate.

·         The Environment Agency had responsibility for issuing flood warnings and had been contacted about the need to do this in a timely manner.

·         The importance of a multi-agency approach to improve preparedness for flooding events was stressed.

·         The list of recommendations arising from the 2019 flood incident, including an outcome against each recommendation, was available and would be circulated to the Area Committee by email.

·         Following the 2019 flood incident, council tax had been paused for some properties, however this had not been the case for this flood incident. It was noted that government intervention had enabled the previous freeze on council tax, but government intervention had not been forthcoming this time.

·         Concern was raised that the gully at the back of Lavington Avenue had never been cleaned, and that a previous promise of planting trees in providing further protection to properties never came to fruition. It was reported that this gully and wider scheme was being investigated.

·         It was asked that the water scheme for Lavington Avenue Footfall Fields be reviewed, as it appeared that water flow had run into the basin as opposed to away from the basin.

·         It was asked that drainage grids be checked in terms of maintenance, as it was reported that bricks from inside the grid had come away and were affecting water access. Members of the public were encouraged to report specific concerns to be investigated further. The council, within the resources it had, operated on a risk-based approach and focused on cleaning high-risk areas in the first instance.

·         It was asked that guidance on the council’s website as to actions residents could take be made quickly accessible.

·         As to whether the review could be expedited, it was noted that the officers working on the review were currently assisting with the effects of the flood incident. However, this possibility would be explored.

·         Concern was raised as to the issues experienced along the railway station from Heald Green to Gatley and the resultant impact on Borrowdale Avenue. Network Rail would be contacted, and this matter would be investigated further.

·         Concerns were raised in relation to the response times for resident support on Alcester Road.

·         It was asked that the truth as to the causes of the flooding be shared as soon as practicable, and responsibility taken by the relevant flood risk authority/authorities.

·         It was questioned as to whether council and partner funds were being spent on appropriate local matters e.g., flooding preparedness as opposed to cycle lanes. It was reported that the funding for cycle lanes came from a different pot of national government funding.

·         Members of the public were urged to report flood incidents in their area, as it was noted that not all issues had been reported to the council.

·         Reassurance was given that all contributions would be fed into the investigation.

Thanks were expressed to everyone in attendance at their meeting and their contributions to the investigation.