Agenda item

Update on the Local Flood Strategy.

To accept the report, noting the observations made during the meeting.

The report was presented by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Municipal and Gwynedd Consultancy, the Head of Highways and Municipal Services and the Assistant Head of Gwynedd Consultancy. Attention was drawn briefly to the following principal points: 

-      The Head of Highways and Municipal Department explained that the document detailed inland and coastal flooding risks but that these were considered separately.  

-      The inland flooding risks were discussed and it was explained that each area was considered independently in order to state the risks that impact on different parts of the county. In the past, it was considered that too local a consideration had been made and therefore the department was eager to look at areas according to catchment areas in order to ascertain the more real risks.

-      The coastal flooding risks were discussed. It was emphasised that the department wanted to ascertain the most vulnerable areas in order to apply for grants to get materials to protect them.

Members were given an opportunity to ask questions and offer observations. During the discussion, the following matters were raised:

It was asked by approximately how much the sea level would rise as a result of the climate change impact, and what could be done to prevent this and the situation in the Fairbourne area.

-      In response to this query, the Assistant Head of Gwynedd Consultancy noted that there was a presumption that the sea level would increase by approximately a metre in the future due to climate change.  He explained that there was a specific plan for the Fairbourne area in the context of mitigating the impact and the effect on the community. He noted that a community impact assessment would be undertaken.

Reference was made to the department's intention to look regularly at the catchment areas to review their flooding risks.   It was asked how the department would undertake this.

-      In response to the query, the Assistant Head of Gwynedd Consultancy confirmed that a number of minor projects were being implemented within the catchment areas to get clear information about each area.  These projects are rectified prior to the submission of information to Natural Resources Wales who feed the information into their database.

-      It was expanded that it was possible to use Natural Resources Wales' map to see how many properties there would be in a high-risk area in the catchment area. As information was fed regularly into the database, this information was likely to consistently change. As the department worked in high risk areas and resolved problems, the information would be fed back to Natural Resources Wales for them to update their information.

-      It was emphasised that although this process took time, the priorities that would need to be followed would change with time to ensure that flood prevention support went to the areas where it was most needed. The information was transferred from the department to Natural Resources Wales twice a year. This was sufficient for the department.

It was noted that it was key to consider what side effects the projects to safeguard the coast in one catchment area had on nearby areas.  It was possible that resolving coastal flooding risks in one community had a negative impact on another area. It was important to take these risks into consideration when trying to produce a framework. 

In response to observations in the context of flooding risks in Pwllheli and Porthmadog, it was noted that Natural Resources Wales led on plans in these areas.  It was explained that there was input from the Department and enquiries would be made regarding the timetable.  A member emphasised the importance of communication with communities.

Reference was made to the department's strategy to look at inland and coastal flooding separately.  It was asked if there was a risk for the full picture to be lost by not considering both together.  

-      In response to this query, the Assistant Head of Gwynedd Consultancy emphasised that this was not a problem. Since projects were implemented as parts of catchment areas, these impacts would not be lost.

-      It was expanded upon that there was collaboration with many organisations such as Natural Resources Wales, and Town and Community Councils.  In the past, collaboration had been challenging.  The situation had improved by now and everyone had a shared vision and aspiration.

Thanks were expressed for the report.

RESOLVED

To accept the report, noting the observations made during the meeting.