Decision details

Councillor Ryan emphasised that he had requested that the proposed consideration of recent flooding events would take place at this meeting in February 2018. He also queried sight of the Scrutiny Flooding Review report undertaken in 2013.

Members were informed that it had been agreed at the last meeting that the Chairman, Scrutiny Officer and Head of Flood Management and Environmental Protection would meet to discuss recent events and next steps for getting best value out of a focused review. At that meeting, it had been explained that flood response work including investigations was ongoing. A statutory section 19 (Flood and Water Management Act 2010) investigation report had to be produced following localised flooding (if a residential property had been impacted) and this would be available for the April 2018 meeting.

Members were advised that following the Scrutiny review in 2013, it had been agreed to receive regular annual reports of flood management. The last annual report had been considered in summer 2017 and the next one was scheduled for April 2018. Considering both reports in April 2018 would allow for a more comprehensive review, ensure key agencies’ flood management representatives could attend (invites had been issued to Lancashire County Council who had accepted, the Environment Agency and United Utilities) and also allow a better opportunity for residents to take part. A new Lancashire and Blackpool Flood Risk Management Strategy would be approved by the Executive in April 2018 and would likely be referred to during the Committee’s meeting in April 2018. A progress update including details of the 2013 review had been sent to Members following the last meeting.

The Committee agreed that the minutes of the Tourism, Economy and Resources Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 13 December 2017 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.