Agenda item

The Panel received a presentation from the Drainage and Streetworks Manager that provided a flood risk update and winter preparation booklet which had been designed to provide resources and information to Councillors regarding the Borough flood risk.

Following the flooding of 2019 a full investigation of how the flooding occurred was undertaken with the findings setting the agenda for the Flood Recovery programme consisting of 42 proposed schemes across the Borough.  The report and booklet presented provided an update on progress on the schemes and winter readiness.

The presentation addressed:

• Flood resilience programme highlights;
• Partnership Funding and current funding picture;  and
• Individual area and main river schemes;

It was highlighted that:

• The Local Authority could not fund everything therefore it worked in partnership with the Environment Agency;
• Some local authorities were able to fund from their capital funding, for example, Birmingham City but it had a much different landscape to Doncaster, eg. urban flooding form highways;
• People who were regularly flooded needed to ensure they were ready to help themselves in the initial stages;
• Ensuring that surface water in kept on the highway before properties;
• Public sewers were the property of Water companies, for example, Yorkshire Water, Severn Trent and Anglian and historically set up for a 1 in 3 year storm;
• Dykes and rivers were the responsibility of the Environment Agency or Internal Drainage Boards;
• In Doncaster only 1 porch had flooded in the last 3 storms;
• The Winter Maintenance Team provided a service with 60 staff on a shift pattern, eg. provide road gritting, they were also there to respond and react to flooding events.  The Emergency Planning Team have Council staff trained in specific roles to respond to flooding emergencies;  and
• Following floods, the Highways Teams determine whether roads could be reopened.

Members addressed the following issues in detail:

Bentley Ings refurbishment project – It was noted that it was an Environment Agency project which had been a fantastic investment for Doncaster at a cost of approximately £6m and deals with normal rainfall water, winter drainage, land drainage and Bentley corridor.  It stopped water backing up in normal time and an explanation of how it worked and future requirements to further aid the position for future flooding events was provided.

Funding – Members acknowledged the current funding position and shortfall to complete required flood alleviation schemes.

Gully Cleansing – These were currently checked once in every18 month period.  Members noted that a GIS system had been deployed during gully cleansing identifying the amount of silt removed.  Following 2 cleanses of data this would identify which gullies required more attention with a tailored programme being developed.  This would lead to a more efficient gully cleansing programme.

Sewer flooding – it was outlined that in 2019 6 properties across 4 separate areas were impacted by this issue.  It had been caused by surface water accessing foul sewers and creating blockages.  This risk could not be forecast.  During a flooding event it was investigated and forwarded to the relevant Management Authority for management and maintenance. 

Partnership working – it was stressed that the Local Authority held excellent working relationships with partners, for example, Severn Trent Water and the Environment Agency.

Flood Wardens – It was noted that flood wardens were driven and set up in each area by volunteers with the Local Authority and partners supporting during an emergency.  The flood wardens played a vital role, identifying risks and informing the community. 

Vulnerable people living at home – During an emergency the Silver Command was established and within that team were representatives from all required partners.  The appropriate partner would be able to identify the vulnerable who required assistance and put measures in place for assistance.

Sandbags - were provided by local suppliers and provided by the response staff however following an emergency they were collected by the Streetworks team therefore they ask for patience from residents for them to be collected.  With regard to sandbag disposal it was dependent on the emergency.  For example, in 2019 there had been mass river flooding and contamination therefore they were disposed of at landfill.  It was also cheaper to dispose of than recycle at this time prior to price increase in sand.  In January 2020 there was no river flooding and a small amount of sandbags were contaminated therefore only a small amount went to landfill and the remainder were cleansed ready for redistribution.

RESOLVED:  that the report and discussion, be noted.