Issue - meetings

The Committee will be joined by Mr John Ray and Mr Andrew Haigh, Senior Advisors with the Environment Agency.

The Chairman introduced Mr John Ray and Mr Andrew Haigh of the Environment Agency. She explained the initial invite to the Environment Agency had been made in the summer of 2019 and the purpose of inviting them had been to understand their roles and how to work together in times of need. She added that since making the first approach, there had since been several instances of flooding across the district and so there was an additional need to understand what had happened and how the Agency was working to reduce the risk of such incidents being repeated. She then handed the floor to Mr Ray and Mr Haigh.

Mr Ray introduced them both as Senior Flood Risk Advisors with the Environment Agency and although they covered different areas, West Lindsey sat in both catchments. He added that they had been provided with a brief for the evening, including a selection of pre-prepared questions and so in their presentation they had attempted to answer those questions. It was agreed that their presentation would be made available to Members after the meeting.

Members heard details of those involved with flood management including county councils, internal drainage boards, district councils and water and sewerage companies. Reference was also made to riparian landowners and the important role they could play in watercourse maintenance and oversight. The Committee was shown a map highlighting the area of West Lindsey, the split of the Environment Agency areas and the rivers and waterways covered within the district.

Information was given regarding the work undertaken by the Environment Agency including capital improvement projects (such as flood storage reservoirs and the Witham embankment strengthening), intermittent maintenance and the annual programme of maintenance. It was explained that aside from meteorological influences, the Agency also had to contend with ongoing difficulties such as badgers burrowing in embankments which, if left unchecked, could cause serious weaknesses in natural flood defences.

Members had specifically raised the issue of dredging, or de-silting, and whether the approach to this had changed in recent years. Mr Ray explained that the cost of such work was not always reflected in the result. He added that, where it would impact for example the workings of a flood defence structure, it would be routinely carried out to ensure the efficacy of the flood defence. In areas where it was not proven to have any significant benefit, dredging often proved too expensive. He noted that, as a result of recent floods, the Government had announced funding of £4billion nationwide and he demonstrated the improvement works this would effect for West Lindsey.

Mr Ray handed over to Mr Haigh who detailed the geographical area he covered and the programme of works which had been completed over recent years. There were many similarities in terms of routine maintenance and regular inspections however he stated there was increased inspection work underway at Morton as there were identified areas where the banks were lower and therefore at increased risk of flooding.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39