Issue - meetings

(a)      That Members note the content of this report and the main outcome of the draft Water Resources Management Plan 2024, that shows no supply resilience issues for the Alwen Dee zone that Flintshire is part of

(b)      That Members support the content of paragraph 1.10 of this report and give the Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) delegated authority to prepare a final response and agree this with the Chair of this committee, prior to responding to the consultation by the due date.

In presenting this report the Chief Officer (Planning Environment & Economy) confirmed that this was a live consultation and that the role of Welsh Water was critical especially with regard the LDP and management of phosphates.

            The Service Manager (Strategy) firstly spoke on the previous item of biodiversity saying that the Local Development Plan (LDP) included a sweep of policies which would help with those issues to protect trees, woodlands or hedgerows.   There was also green space and urban space protections included together with new policies on biodiversity net gains.

            Moving on to the report the Service Manager (Strategy) reported that this consultation from Welsh Water had been sent to key stakeholders and related to an update of their Water Resource Management Plan which was a statutory document which had to be refreshed on a 5 yearly basis.  This was to ensure the long-term security of water supply for business and domestic use.  Welsh Water had highlighted the drought experienced last year and had introduced drought reliance within this plan.   Members were referred to the map which highlighted the 23 planning zones in the report and at point 1.03 included the key objectives and drivers on how these measures would support those areas in deficit.  The overview of water supply by Welsh Water was given at 1.04 in the report to ensure that when severe events happen that Welsh Water were able to cater for supply as much as possible.  The Service Manager (Strategy) explained that  Flintshire was in the Alwen Dee zone and then provided information on how calculations were made.  Four areas had been identified as areas that would be in deficit with three in South Wales and one in North Wales.   He outlined how the demand management could affect the county and measures put in place to reduce daily consumption.  Increased water metering was also being promoted. 

            He referred to 1.10 of the report and the bullet points listed and explained why further clarification was required:-  

• He wanted clarification that the growth in Flintshire’s LDP had been factored into this planning. 
• That the Council fully supported the wider resilience measures to support leakage improvement
• Supported raising customer awareness on efficient use of water. 

·         that reductions in waste water going to treatment works from each domestic and commercial property could assist with less phosphates going into rivers

·         Encouraged greater connection between waste resource planning and waste water planning to enable improvements to be brought forward

·         Seek a commitment for more regular liaison and collaboration with Welsh Water as a key partner whether on a strategic level or local level.

            In response to questions from Councillor Mike Peers the Service Manager (Strategy) firstly responded to the point on leakage reduction saying maybe if a definitive programme was publicised it would help.  Welsh Water had an aging infrastructure they are working through but it was more a reactive process as it was a costly exercise.  Coordination with other statutory providers when undertaking road works to enable opportunities for shared work could  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58