Agenda item

The Director of Neighbourhood Services submitted a report providing an account of the steps taken by the Council in dealing with the flooding since November 2013 and the lessons subsequently learned. 

By way of highlighting the complexities involved in terms of dealing with flooding, the Head of Community Safety and Health Services explained that an area in Stanstead Abbots affected by flooding, had involved eight different owners or agencies, each responsible for different stretches of water or areas of management.  Officers provided information regarding what grants were available to those affected by the flooding, including grants available to introduce resistance and resilience measures to vulnerable areas and the Business Support Scheme which offered up to £25,000 to businesses affected by the flooding.  So far, eight grant applications had been received from residents although others were expected once the complex paperwork had been completed. 

The Head of Community Safety and Health Services stated that as far as the “lessons learned” were concerned, there had been a very good response from staff who had been ready to assist up to 100 potential victims of flooding at Wodson Park. 

Councillor G Williamson thanked the Chief Executive and Director of Customer and Community Services and staff for their support to residents.  He acknowledged the complexities associated with multiple agencies being involved and stated that the public did not have an understanding of these facts and details. 

Councillor P Ruffles stated that good communication was the key.  He asked whether the Council knew what the effects might be in Hertford, of the sluice gates opening downstream particularly to residents of The Folly.  The Chief Executive and Director of Community Services stated that the sluice gates were opened and closed by the Council only on the instruction of the Environment Agency.

Councillor R Beeching thanked Officers for the report and referred to the flood plains and the huge area it covered.  He sought clarification on what Councillors could do in similar situations.  The Head of Community Safety and Health Services explained the Council’s role in relation to the Hertford Resilience Planning Team and that Members would benefit from attending an Emergency Planning Training Course planned for 10^th or 11^th  September 2014.

Councillor C Rowley also thanked the Officers for the report and in having the resources to help up to 100 people.

Officers explained that flood surgeries were also continuing in affected parts of the District.  It was noted that at Puckeridge recently, people were queuing to speak to the Officer and particularly about the difficulties residents were having in trying to find contractors willing and able to quote.

Councillor D Abbott thanked Officers for the report and questioned what was being done at the bottom of Parsonage Lane, Bishop’s Stortford which flooded regularly in heavy rains.  Officers explained that discussions were continuing with Hertfordshire Highways on this matter.

The Chief Executive and Director of Community Services referred to the extraordinary circumstances of the flooding in February 2014 and that no one could prepare for every eventuality.  He suggested that Members might wish to encourage the public to think about their own responsibilities in advance  adding that the Authority’s Emergency Planning response was, in the first instance, about looking at individuals’ safety and people at risk.

Members thanked the Officers and in terms of the lessons learned, acknowledged the pressure a longer emergency event might have on the Council’s resources and the services’ ability to cope.

The Committee received the report.

RESOLVED – that (A) the report be received; and

(B)       in terms of the lessons learned,  the pressure of  a longer emergency event and the Council’s resources and the services’ ability to cope be acknowledged.