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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
AGREED – (i) That the Highway Inspection Policy and Winter Maintenance Policy topic selection form be accepted and that the report be considered at the October meeting. (ii) That the proposed amendments to the work programme outlined in paragraphs 4.2 to 4.5 of report COGC/98/23s be agreed. (iii) That the Committee workshop in respect of Homeless and Housing Need scheduled for 24 October 2023 be noted. (iv) That, subject to the aforementioned amendments, the Work Programme as attached as Appendix 1 to report COGC/98/23s be agreed.
AGREED – (i) That the Officers be thanked for their comprehensive report and presentation. (ii) That the relevant points raised during the debate be considered, digested and responded to in the consultation response to the Draft Plan. (iii) That the Committee receive a further report on the Plan in January 2024, prior to its approval by the Executive Board.
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Carrie Harper and Graham Rogers.
AGREED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 19 July 2023 be signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – (i) That the Highway Inspection Policy and Winter Maintenance Policy topic selection form be accepted and that the report be considered at the October meeting. (ii) That the proposed amendments to the work programme outlined in paragraphs 4.2 to 4.5 of report COGC/98/23s be agreed. (iii) That the Committee workshop in respect of Homeless and Housing Need scheduled for 24 October 2023 be noted. (iv) That, subject to the aforementioned amendments, the Work Programme as attached as Appendix 1 to report COGC/98/23s be agreed.
The Chief Officer Governance & Customer submitted a report (COGC/98/23s) to consider the Committee’s work programme. The Scrutiny Facilitator introduced the report, referring in particular to the proposed changes highlighted in paragraphs 4.2 to 4.5 of the report. Members were also informed that a workshop on Homeless and Housing Need had been scheduled for 24 October 2023. Referring to a Topic Selection Form in respect of Highway Inspection Policy and Winter Maintenance Policy Members were asked to consider adding it to the Work Programme for the October Meeting. AGREED – (i) That the Highway Inspection Policy and Winter Maintenance Policy topic selection form be accepted and that the report be considered at the October meeting. (ii) That the proposed amendments to the work programme outlined in paragraphs 4.2 to 4.5 of report COGC/98/23s be agreed. (iii) That the Committee workshop in respect of Homeless and Housing Need scheduled for 24 October 2023 be noted. (iv) That, subject to the aforementioned amendments, the Work Programme as attached as Appendix 1 to report COGC/98/23s be agreed.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – (i) That the Officers be thanked for their comprehensive report and presentation. (ii) That the relevant points raised during the debate be considered, digested and responded to in the consultation response to the Draft Plan. (iii) That the Committee receive a further report on the Plan in January 2024, prior to its approval by the Executive Board.
The Lead Member for Housing submitted a report (COET/20/23s) to provide a draft of Wrexham County Borough Council’s Flood Risk Management Plan (FRMP), attached at Appendix 1, and to outline the next steps that will need to be taken towards its completion. The Chair welcomed Huw ap Dewi (Performance & Business Manager, Environment & Technical Services) and Cathryn Hughes (Flood Officer) to the Committee Meeting. Introducing the report the Performance & Business Manager explained that Flood Risk Management was the way in which the risk of flooding to people and property was managed by a Risk Management Authority (RMA) such as Wrexham County Borough Council which is a Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA). He also informed Members of the following points in relation to the Flood Risk Management Plan: · The Flood Risk Management Plan was a mandated part of the duties of a Lead Local Flood Authority. · The reports would be published every five years outlining the intended actions that the LLFA will take in order to reduce the flood risk within their jurisdiction. · In the case of Wrexham County Borough Council, this included flooding from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses. · The previous FRMP was published by Wrexham County Borough Council in 2016 to align with other local authorities which have duties as a LLFA and the Welsh Government. · The second iteration of the Plan was due to be published in 2022. However, the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays in the creation of these plans. The new deadline for publication is March 2024. The Flood Officer gave a presentation to Committee Members which highlighted the following points: · What is flooding? - A natural process. - A flood in the “natural” environment happens when water overflows from the defined channels onto land which is usually dry. - Flooding in the urban environment is where rainfall temporarily exceeds the capacity of the drainage system. - Multiple factors contribute to flooding. · Types of Flooding: - Wrexham CBC Surface water (pluvial) flooding Ordinary watercourse flooding Groundwater flooding - Natural Resources Wales Main river (fluvial) flooding - Dwr Cymru Welsh Water Foul sewer flooding Combined sewer flooding · Flood Risk Permissive Powers - Request information relating to flood risk management - Designate certain structures or features that affect flood and coastal erosion risk - Undertake works to include broader risk management actions - Cause flooding or coastal erosion under certain conditions · Flood Risk Duties - Prepare a local flood risk strategy - Comply with the National Strategy produced by the Welsh Government - Co-operate with other risk management authorities - Investigate all flooding in the area where necessary and appropriate - Maintain a register of structures and features likely to affect flood risk - Provide SuDS Approving Body (SAB) approval for relevant developments - Provide ordinary watercourse consents The Flood Officer also shared a publication timeline of the Plan with the Committee and encouraged Members to engage in the digital consultation which would be available on line. Engagement with Community Councils would also take place Members considered the report and presentation and during debate the following points were highlighted: · On a positive note a Committee Member stated that the River Dee had not over flowed into the village of Bangor on Dee recently and also stated that in relation to drainage issues, the problems previously experienced had been addressed successfully. · Clarification was sought whether the water pumps in the Worthenbury area were remaining in place and being maintained and whether National Resources Wales were allowing the dredging of the River Dee as concern was raised that this could cause debris and wood to remain in the river. The Officer assured Members that ongoing works should alleviate these issues. · The Plan was based on information contained in the 2019 Flood Risk Register, which was supplemented by local knowledge. Both data sources when compared do match well. · High risk areas for flooding are in built up areas. · Actions contained in the Plan will be actioned more quickly, as the responsible team was now fully staffed. · Early engagement with developers was considered key in addressing any development related flooding issues. · Individual property resilience should be emphasised in the final version of the Plan. · Clarification was sought on gully problems and blocked drains. The Officer confirmed that a new system was in place which measured silt levels and when problems were discovered they were dealt with there and then. · Further information was requested on whether the use of grant funding was being maximised. · Instances of flooding should be reported to allow for relevant investigation work to be carried and any future actions identified. · Concern that tree/debris build up in the river could affect the safety of Bangor-on Dee bridge. · The Chair of the Committee reminded Members that Wrexham County Borough Council were not solely responsible for the management of all flooding in the area. The Council worked with a variety of Risk Management Authorities for the different sources of flooding. AGREED – (i) That the Officers be thanked for their comprehensive report and presentation. (ii) That the relevant points raised during the debate be considered, digested and responded to in the consultation response to the Draft Plan. (iii) That the Committee receive a further report on the Plan in January 2024, prior to its approval by the Executive Board.
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