Decision details

The Head of Flood Risk Management and Strategic Projects advised members on the outcome of the statutory public consultation on the revised Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS) and Action Plan (formerly known as a Flood Risk Management Plan), as required under Section 10 of the Flood and Water Management Act (FWMA) 2010.

The Leader acknowledged that a huge amount of work had been put into developing the revised strategy and action plan. The Leader commended the detailed plan and advised that it would put the Local Authority in a good position going forward with regards to future bids and capital funding from Welsh Government. However, the Leader explained that the plan clearly demonstrated that RCT is at the highest risk of surface flooding in Wales and as such, there was a need to continue to invest in flood resilience and to work with households and businesses.

The Director of Highways, Streetcare and Transportation Services wished to place on record his thanks to the team for the work undertaken in producing the documents before Members. The Director commented that he felt the investment had started to pay dividends and that the team were undertaking a risk based approach.

The Deputy Leader took the opportunity to thank the Service Director of Democratic Services and Communication for the letter to Cabinet, which outlined the comments of the Council’s Climate Change, Frontline Services and Prosperity Scrutiny Committee following consideration of the Authority’s Revised Local Flood Risk Management Strategy and Action Plan at its meeting held on 18^th January 2024. The Deputy Leader also extended her gratitude to the officers for their work in putting together the revised strategy and action plan before Members.

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure welcomed the report and the comments made by the Scrutiny Committee. The Cabinet Member agreed that a glossary of terms and abbreviations would be beneficial going forward.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To note the results and the review of the statutory public consultation on the draft LFRMS and Action Plan, which was presented to the Climate Change, Frontline Services & Prosperity Scrutiny Committee on 22^nd November 2023 as per the programme of work which was agreed by Cabinet on 15^th May 2023;

2.    To note the feedback from the Climate and Frontline Services Committee which met on 18th January 2024, which will be provided by the Service Director of Democratic Services and Communication;

3.    That the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy and Action Plan is adopted by the Authority; and

4.    That the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy, and accompanying environmental assessment, are submitted to the Welsh Government for Ministerial approval.