Agenda, decisions and minutes

A scrutiny research facility is available within the Council Business Unit to support Members’ scrutiny responsibilities and their roles as Elected Members.  Such research strengthens Scrutiny Committee work programmes to ensure outcome-based topics are identified. For any scrutiny research requirements please contact scrutiny@rctcbc.gov.uk

The Members’ Researcher and Scrutiny Officer referenced the research facilities that were available to Members within the Council Business Unit. Members were advised that if they have any specific queries to email them to Scrutiny@rctcbc.gov.uk.

Apologies of absence were duly noted from County Borough Councillors Geraint Jones, E. Dunning and J. Barton.

To receive disclosures of personal interest from Members in accordance with the Code of Conduct

Note:

1.     Members are requested to identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest: and,

2.     Where Members withdraw from a meeting as a consequence of the disclosure of a    prejudicial interest they must notify the Chairman when they leave.

In accordance with the code of conduct, there were no declaration of interest pertaining to the agenda.

To approve, as an accurate record, the minutes of the meeting held on the 22^nd November 2023.

The minutes of the 22^nd November 2023 were APPROVED as an accurate record.

Information is provided in respect of relevant consultations for consideration by the Committee.

The Members’ Researcher & Scrutiny Officer referenced the consultation links, which were available through the ‘RCT Scrutiny’ website.  Members were reminded that information is provided in respect of relevant consultations for consideration by the Committee, which are circulated on a monthly basis and updated on a fortnightly basis. 

An opportunity for Scrutiny Members to pre scrutinise the Revised Local Flood Risk Management Strategy and Action Plan.

 The Service Director, Democratic Services & Communications advised Members that the purpose of the report was to pre scrutinise the Local Food Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS) and that Members comments will be fed back to Cabinet. Following this, the Head of Flood Risk Management presented his report to Members and advised that the strategy will subsequently be presented to Welsh Government for Ministerial approval.

Following this, Members had the opportunity to ask questions. The Chair thanked Officers for a detailed overview and praised the strategy. Another Member queried if the wind can exacerbate flooding. The Head of Flood Risk Management confirmed that the wind brings down so much debris that it can block culverted watercourses, but it can also affect the tidal areas etc and increase flood risk.

Discussions ensued and a Member commented that it would be useful if the report contained less abbreviations and more detail of the wording being used. The Head of Flood Risk advised that this is always a challenge and that the summary document, which is currently in draft, will not contain acronyms at all. The summary document will be aimed at members of the public.

Another Member queried how the Council encourages residents to adopt more flood prevention schemes by themselves for example in their own gardens and also how does the Council encourage private developers to adopt more flood prevention strategies. The Head of Flood Risk identified that there are two areas; the already built and the areas to be built. In respect of the areas already built, the Head of Flood Risk identified that communication is key as well as web resources and ease of access. There is also the enforcement side, which is the rules and regulations on existing infrastrcuture. The main focus has to be education. In terms of building houses, everything has to meet with the Welsh Government standards for sustainable drainage which effectively comes under green infrastructure. The Head of Flood Risk conformed that this is contained within the LFRMS. There is also a planning guidance being looked through the Local Development Plan and it is also embedded in the Council’s Climate Change Strategy. In respect of this, the Chair queried whether there was provision being made within the build of a project for maintenance. The Head of Flood Risk advised that Standard 6 of the Welsh Government Standards is all about the Construction phase and maintainability and Members were reassured that all of this is now embedded in the LFRMS.

Discussion continued and a Member advised that it would be helpful if the document contained a breakdown of the vulnerability of each ward to the risk of flooding. The Member also queried what responsibility private companies have to ensure that residents properties are safe from flooding and also queried how the residents are being prepared for flood warnings. In respect of graphics by ward, the Head of Flood Risk advised that a ward breakdown is in the current plan on the website, but it does not align  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

To consider any items, which the Chairman, by reason of special circumstances, is of the opinion should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

There was no urgent business to report.

The Chair thanked Members and Officers for attending. The Service Director, Democratic Services & Communications confirmed that Members comments would be fed back to Cabinet and that a letter would be drafted summarising tonight’s recommendations.