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 4July 2017 where it was recommended to be considered by the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee in their meeting on the 26October 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 twelve months which monitored progress against all the recommendations contained in the review.

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

Recommended –

That Bradford Council’s Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee receives a report back before the end of October 2019 which monitors progress against the recommendations contained within the Water Management Scrutiny Review.

(Edward Norfolk – 01274 433905)

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 July 2017 where it was recommended to be considered by the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee in their meeting on the 26 October 2017 where it was subsequently endorsed.

Following its adoption, The Water Management Scrutiny Review included 26 recommendations and it was resolved that a report would be made in twelve months which monitored progress against all the recommendations contained in the review.

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “M”) briefly outlined the progress made and the status of each of the twenty-six recommendations.

The Assistant Director, Planning, Transportation & Highways and the Principal Engineer (Drainage) were present at the meeting. They jointly gave a synopsis of the report.

A question and answer session ensued:

·         A synopsis was sought in relation to Recommendation 23?

o   The Council had been successful in a funding bid to the EU North Sea Interreg Vb programme project BEGIN (Blue / Green infrastructure through social innovation) which had been approved in early September 2016 to EU North Sea Region Secretariat. The Lead Partner being the Municipality of Dordrecht in the Netherlands. The scheme was progressing and half way through. The scheme would also help support the aspirations of the Council’s Green Infrastructure Study. The BEGIN projects also aimed to engage with communities to increase awareness of the Beck and its catchment;

·         Updates were sought on Recommendations 14 and 15?

o   14, was a legislative requirement to update the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS) in line with the current six-year cycle for flood risk management. The LFRMS was up to date in accordance with current climate change guidelines but was a living document and would be reviewed accordingly.

o   15, was a legislative requirement to update the LFRMS in line with the current six-year cycle for flood risk management. Specific actions (and examples of current working practice) within the LFRMS will be reviewed in the next update.

o   14 and 15, many projects and strategies were to be implemented with every level of progress made;

·         In relation to Recommendations 1 and 16, had it been decided that a document for the district would not be produced?

o   Due to SD7 policy (policy setting out sites proposed for allocation for Mixed Use and Housing respectively) these would not be pursued;

·         Recommendation 23 gave clarity on the prioritisation of Blue-Green infrastructure in managing flood risk across Bradford District. Where had funding been secured from?

o   The Council had been successful in a funding bid from the to the EU North Sea from the Water Management funds; and,

·         Information was sought on Recommendation 21?

o   The Council was currently developing a ‘Housing Design Guide’ and ‘Street Design Guide’ that would emphasise the importance and specify the use of Blue Green Infrastructure and Green Street Initiatives within developments. These documents would be proposed for adoption as Supplementary Planning Documents in 2019;

o   In response to answer, therefore no assessment would be pursued?

§  This would not be undertaken at present but allowances for new development would be made.

Resolved –

(1)       That the information contained in Document “M” be noted.

(2)       That a report be received before the end of October 2019 which             monitors progress against the recommendations contained within       the Water Management Scrutiny Review.

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place