The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “J”) will be submitted to the Committee following the resolution in October 2021 that a report which provides an update on all the Council’s water management and resilience initiatives and also includes information on flood alleviation equipment available to communities be presented to the Committee in 12 months.

Recommended –

That Bradford Council’s Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee considers this report and provides comments, and will request a report back before the end of October 2023 that provides an update to the Councils progress of all Water Management and Resilience initiatives within the District.

(Edward Norfolk – 01274 433905)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “J”) was submitted to the Committee and presented Members with the annual update of the Water Management Scrutiny Review to report on the progress made on the 26 recommendations for work undertaken during the year.  The majority of the original recommendations were deemed as satisfied.  The report presented, updated the work on all the Council’s water management and resilience initiatives and details of the flood alleviation equipment available to communities.

Officers provided summary information relating to recent flood events, with details of properties and highways affected and rainfall levels that occurred.  An overview and explanation of the capital flood risk programme was provided to support the details circulated in a document appended to the main report.  Officers stated that work was still ongoing with the EA to address these matters.   The information provided showed projects completed and those that were planned, and identified where the EA was involved. 

Officers stated that a draft of the local flood risk management policy would be submitted following public consultation and would be designed for use over the next 6 years.  Property level resilience was explained to Members and how it could be funded via grants to ensure better protection for homes.  Water quality improvement would be supported by the increased use of technology and data to tackle pollution and to carry out a survey of Bradford Becks using scanning equipment. 

Members were then given the opportunity to comment and ask questions, the details of which and the responses given are as below.

A Member stated that global temperatures were forecast to rise and preparations would need to be made, and asked at what point the discussions for this would take place.  Officers advised that the model used to mitigate against floods for the last 20 years included a 40% addition to rainfall estimates.  These were from EA estimates who set climate change allowances, so modelling was done with the estimates already factored in.

A Member asked if drones were being used and also stated that residential resilience needed to be ensured by residents themselves such as installation of pumps.  Officers responded to both issues and stated that 4 pilot schemes were underway in cooperation with the University of Bradford.  Two Council Officers were being trained to use drones to carry out laser and visual inspections, however, drone flight times were limited.  The Flying High challenge had also seen the Council selected to take part but this was not followed up.  In relation to flood resilience, flood packs had been created for communities and to help residents help themselves.  These were still available and Members requested to see a sample of their contents.

A Member asked about raising awareness of owner’s responsibilities when water courses ran through private properties and had any enforcement powers been used.  Officers advised that they do their best to raise awareness of liabilities with information and guidance on the Council’s website as well as targeting specific communities.  Enforcement powers had been used but issues did not usually progress as far. 

Members asked whether issues arose on private or commercial land and who managed disputes over responsibilities.  Two Council Officers carried out visits to advise residents.

An emergency planning team was already established for Baildon and a Member from Shipley requested the same for their area and asked who they should liaise with to develop an emergency plan.  Officers advised that they should contact the Emergency Planning Team at the Council and provided the relevant contact information.

Resolved –

That a report which provides an update on the progress of the Council’s water management and resilience initiatives within the District be presented to the Committee in 12 months.

Action: Interim Strategic Director, Place