Issue - meetings

To approve the adoption of the Council's Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.

Delegated right in consultation with the Cabinet Member was given to complete the document following approval from the Welsh Government.

The report was submitted by Cllr Berwyn Parry Jones

DECISION

To approve the adoption of the Council's Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.

To approve delegated right in consultation with the Cabinet Member to complete the document following approval from the Welsh Government.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted noting that the Cabinet was asked to approve the adoption of the Council's Local Flood Risk Management Strategy. It was explained following the decision that the document would be sent to Welsh Government to provide its opinion on the strategy, and therefore delegated right in consultation with the Cabinet Member was requested to complete the document after receiving these observations.

⁠It was noted that after creating the draft strategy that the department had gone to public consultation on the document. Disappointment was expressed in relation to the number who had responded to the consultation despite a lot of work being done to promote it. It was highlighted that the strategy noted how the Council would deal with coastal and inland flood risk.

The Head of Department added that there was a statutory requirement for the Council to create a strategy in accordance with the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. It was explained that the Council's previous strategy was in two parts - i.e. the Strategy and the Management Plan but now both documents had been combined to create a full strategy. It was explained when preparing the strategy that the Council was asked to comply with the Welsh Government Framework and the main objectives were highlighted.

It was highlighted that the response to the public consultation had been poor but that this could be seen nationally. It was emphasised that climate change was a contentious issue and that severe weather last winter had shown the extent of the problem.

⁠It was expressed that one of the main actions included in the Strategy is the intention to prepare long-term capital work programmes for managing flood risk and coastal erosion. It was explained that would be a way for the Team to lead and attract grants for future plans.

Observations arising from the discussion

·         Gratitude was expressed for the work achieved in Bangor.

·         It was asked in terms of funding whether the county received its fair share of the national budget. It was expressed that all submitted plans were scored by Welsh Government and that Gwynedd had been fortunate to obtain support for a variety of schemes. It was highlighted that 4 schemes had been included in addition to the Council's Asset Plan.

·         It was highlighted that confusion could exist in terms of who had responsibility for flooding matters, but the Council's front-line staff were thanked for their work in assisting the public when flooding matters arose.