Agenda item

That the presentation be received.                                 

The Chair introduced Nick Thomas and Richard Weston from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and Phil Harrison, Regional Emergency Planning Manager to the Committee. 

                        Nick Thomas and Richard Weston jointly provided a presentation to the Committee on NRWs Work in Flintshire.  The main features of the presentation were:-

·         Who we are

·         Our purpose

·         Landowner and Land Manager

·         Outdoor Recreation

·         Water Framework Directive

·         River Alyn Water Framework Directive Project

·         Fisheries Management

·         Designating Authority

·         Species Management

·         Rights of Way

·         Dee Estuary Regional Park

·         Flintshire Coastal Tourism Potential Challenges

·         Statutory Consultee on planning applications

·         Environmental Regulation

·         Compliance and Enforcement

·         The River Dee

·         Incident Management

·         Flood Risk Management

The Regional Emergency Planning Manager provided a detailed background to the work of the Regional Emergency Planning Team which was due to commence on 1 July 2014.  He explained that the six North Wales Local Authorities had signed up to provide a Regional Emergency Planning Team which consisted of ten employees with a Manager and a Deputy.  The Team was based at two hubs, one for Flintshire, Denbighshire & Wrexham and the other for Ynys Mon, Gwynedd and Conwy and would work closely with NRW and would have close links with the Local Resilience Forum.  The Team would introduce best practices across the region and part of the role would involve close working with Elected Members to provide them with information for their residents on issues of concern such as flooding. 

Councillor Paul Shotton raised concern about the erosion at Wepre Gate and the sand dunes at Talacre.  He also asked questions on licences for cockling; the Northern Gateway site; funding for flooding and dredging in rivers.  In response, Mr. Weston said that erosion works were carried out where land defences were affected and requested that Councillor Shotton discuss Wepre Gate with him following the meeting.  Work on the sand dunes had been undertaken but discussions were ongoing on future works.  On the issue of funding for flooding, he indicated that there had been no change in the funding streams (one from revenue and the other from capital) since the formation of NRW but a restructure of the service was to be undertaken which could affect the funding streams.  Mr. Thomas said that the issue of flooding was likely to worsen in the coming years but explained that significant sums of money had been spent on flood defences and identifying land management issues which could help to reduce flooding problems.  He felt that dredging in certain places was appropriate but that widespread dredging of rivers was not suitable.  Mr. Weston explained that outline planning permission had been granted on the Northern Gateway site and NRW were working with WG on flood defence works and WG were funding sheet piling works which would remove the issue of breaching the flood defences.  Mr. Thomas advised that 50 licences had been issued for cockling and added that the restriction of cockling to those with a licence was a better arrangement than had previously been in place. 

Councillor Alex Aldridge extended an invitation to Mr. Thomas and Mr. Weston to visit Flint to look at two issues which were causing concern which he provided full details on; one was the continuation of the cycleway and the other was land fronting Dee Cottages. 

In response to a question from Councillor David Evans about how the areas of risk of flooding could be identified, Mr. Weston said that flood maps were available which showed the areas at risk and the level of risk associated with the area.  These were available through a link on the NRW website.  Councillor Evans also spoke of concerns about land being allowed to flood to alleviate flooding in residential areas.  He referred to Balderton Brook and to the problems that flooding of land caused for farmers and asked whether there were any measures to mitigate the flooding.  Mr. Weston said that a risk based programme of works was in place and spoke of the brook and added that maintenance of water courses was the responsibility of the land owner.  Following a further query from Councillor Evans about the SSSI site at Wepre, Mr. Weston said that flood defence works on the Northern Gateway site would not increase the risk of flooding on the other side of the river.      

Councillor Veronica Gay also raised concern about Balderton Brook.  Mr. Weston said that management of flood risk to property was a key priority for NRW and added that regular meetings took place.  Councillor Gay extended an invitation to Mr. Weston and Mr. Thomas to visit Saltney Town Council to discuss local issues. 

Councillor Colin Legg commented on an issue over the use of the car park at Ysgol Rhos Helyg and spoke of the Halkyn Ranger and asked to be kept informed of any resolution to the problem.  He also raised concern about the destruction of cotoneaster plants on Halkyn Mountain as the site was now covered in nettles which he did not agree with.  Mr. Thomas confirmed that he would contact Councillor Legg to discuss the issues. 

In response to a question from Councillor Chris Dolphin on flooding at the Halfway House public house in Carmel, Mr. Weston said that this would be the responsibility of Flintshire County Council.  The Chief Officer (Organisational Change) confirmed that he was aware of the issue and the Cabinet Member for Environment indicated that responsibility had come to the Council with no funding and therefore the issue would be considered during the programme of prioritising the order of works required in the County.  Councillor Dolphin also spoke about flooding concerns in Greenfield. 

The Regional Emergency Planning Manager spoke of community resilience and communities taking responsibility for their own defences.  Councillor Dolphin commended Flintshire County Council for their work during the flooding earlier in the year and said that the sandbags had been welcomed by residents. 

The Chair thanked Mr. Weston, Mr. Thomas and the Regional Emergency Planning Manager for their attendance and contribution to the meeting. 

RESOLVED:

That the presentation be received.