The Environment and Waste Management Overview Scrutiny Committee undertook a wider scrutiny review into water management across the District following the devastating winter 2015 floods. The Water Management Scrutiny Review was endorsed by the Environment and Waste Management Overview Scrutiny Committee at their meeting on 4^th July 2017 where it was recommended to be considered by the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee in their meeting on the 26^th October 2017 where it was subsequently endorsed.

Following its adoption, The Water Management Scrutiny Review included twenty-six recommendations and it was resolved that a report would be made in the following twelve months which monitored progress against all the recommendations contained in the review. Within the October 2018 report it was again resolved by the Regeneration and Environment Overview Committee that an update report would be presented in a further 12 months.

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “R”), briefly outlines the progress made and the status of each of the twenty-six recommendations in the last 12 months.

Recommended –

(1)       That the Committee receives a report back before the end of       October 2020 which monitors progress against the   recommendations contained within the Water Management             Scrutiny Review.

(2)       Recommendations 7 and 26 will be removed from any subsequent       report as they have been completed.

(Edward Norfolk – 01274 433905)

The Environment and Waste Management Overview Scrutiny Committee undertook a scrutiny review into water management across the District following the devastating winter 2015 floods. The review was endorsed by the Environment and Waste Management Overview Scrutiny Committee at their meeting on 4th July 2017.

The Water Management Scrutiny Review produced 26 recommendations and it was resolved that a report would be made in the following twelve months to monitor progress against all the recommendations contained in the review. At the meeting in October 2018, it was again resolved by the Regeneration and Environment Overview Committee that an update report would be presented in a further 12 months.

The Strategic Director of Place presented a report Document “R” provided an update on the progress made against the 26 recommendations in the last 12 months.

A Member asked if the department was liaising with large providers of accommodation in the District, to see if when they are undertaking major refurbishments of their estate, they could take some of the grey water to use on site or put it into a sustainable drainage system.  Officers replied that through the planning process, with pre planning enquiries, the Development team advise on what water management measures could be effective, however, it is challenging retro fitting sustainable drainage systems.

A question was raised in relation to natural soak away – are the Council actively looking at sites within the District.  Officers responded that this was the case and the Harden Moor schemeis an example of the type of work that was taking place.

A Member asked if any work was taking place further up the valley to reduce the amount of water before it reached the Bradford District. Officers responded that this issue is dealt with as part of the catchment wide approach that they operate, adding that when they develop their schemes they work closely with the Environment Agency.

A Member expressed concern in relation to the inspection of sustainable drainage features, and queried why if conditions are placed on developers to include certain features in their schemes, the department aren’t checking them, rather than trusting that the work has been done.  Could anything be built into the charging policy?

Officers responded that if there are problems with schemes, they go out and inspect.  They have reduced resources and it is about trying to use those resources to best effect. They are not aware of any issues around this subject that have occurred within the last two years.

A question was asked as to why the Shipley type gullies needed replacing.  Officers responded that the design of the gullies was supposed to prevent smells coming back up, although they have now been found to be less efficient in allowing water to drain away, therefore replacements were required.

Resolved –

That the Committee receives a report back before the end of October 2020 which monitors progress against the recommendations contained within the Water Management Scrutiny Review, that are yet to be completed.

Action: Strategic Director, Place