To ensure the Council’s assessment and review of Flood Risk Areas previously identified in 2011 is appropriate.

That the main findings of the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment review be approved and submitted to the Environment Agency by the statutory deadline, 22 June 2017.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Community Services that set out the review of the 2011 Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment.  The criteria set by the Environment Agency to determine Flood Risk Areas had been lowered for the second planning cycle.  Due to flooding in June 2016, Dunstable had been identified as a Flood Risk Area.  The Council had identified a number of local flood incidents and would continue to address these through alternative processes. 

Reason for decision:  To ensure that the Council had met its statutory requirements under regulation 14(3) of the Flood Risk Regulations 2009 and that the assessment and review of Flood Risk Areas previously identified in 2011 were appropriate.

RESOLVED

that the main findings of the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment review be approved and submitted to the Environment Agency by the statutory deadline, 22 June 2017.

To assess and comment on the proposed review of the 2011 Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment.

The Executive Member for Community Services delivered a report which set out a refresh to the 2011 Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA), explaining the screening exercise which involved collecting information on historic and potential future floods in order to identify areas with an increased risk of flooding and to manage and mitigate the associated risks.

In light of the report Members discussed the following in summary:-

·           The national policy implications at a local level and how each area was categorised.

·           That additional funds be made available to map and clear gullys.

·           That the Council had a coordinating role in order to identify those responsible for drainage systems.

·           The importance of considering climate change and sharing data with strategic partners.

RECOMMENDED that the Executive support the 2017 review and submit the report to the Environment Agency by the statutory deadline of 22 June 2017.