Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 February 2016 were approved as a correct record.

Matters arising

Apologies for absence were received from Mr Edwards, Fisher and Nutt, Councillors Cowling, Gardiner, Keal and Raper.

Actions

That the Head of Planning and Housing be asked if there was any money available from developer contributions to fund flow monitoring of the culvert under the A64, in order to consider the possible effects of any development at Eden Farm

Response from Head of Planning and Housing

There is not any S106 identified for this purpose. For this type of contribution to be sought we would need to have identified an impact, directly arising from a development (or developments) proposed, that was a necessary ‘mitigation’ arising from the proposal.

In the case of the Eden Camp development for example, the detailed reports (which were scrutinised by all the drainage bodies and both NYCC Highways and Highways England) demonstrated that the development proposed would not have an adverse effect in terms of surface water run off issues than the ‘as is’ situation. As a result there were no objections to the scheme from any of the technical consultees and no requirement for monitoring equipment of the type suggested.

The Group considered the response by the Head of Planning regarding monitoring of surface water run off issues. It was suggested that the issue be considered as part of the Scrutiny Committee review of flooding.

The EA agreed to examine the cost of adding a full CCTV survey of Old Malton drainage/sewers to the part survey they were planning.

Dr Barrett-Mold of the Environment Agency (EA) gave a presentation on the progress to date on the future and preferred  options for Kirkham Weir and Sluice (see attached).

A request was made to ensure that the Internal Drainage Board was involved in future consultation etc. with partners and stakeholders and that the options appraisal report was made available.

I Cooke of the EA gave a brief outline of the modelling undertaken of the various options considered as part of the study.

The Groups debated the options proposed and advised the EA on the possible effects of those options.

He also provided an update on the recovery work to complete following the Boxing Day flooding incident which included Old Malton/A64 and the approximate costs of any base line monitoring, works on the Cattle Market development at Eden Farm, planning conditions etc.

Councillor Potter gave an update on the Slowing the Flow project.

The latest report released concluded that the system had prevented flooding in Pickering (1 in 10 event) and that Natural Flood Management (NFM) measures were being considered by other Yorkshire authorities and nationally.

The Group then debated the project, other NFM measures and the various reviews published/due for publication.

Discussed as part of Minute 22.

Discussed as part of Minute 22.

Councillor Potter advised on the content of the report Flooding: Co-operation across Government, which had considered central Government's response to flooding incidents.

A number of recommendations had been made in the report, including consideration of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDs).

Councillor Potter reported on the recent Conservation and Land Management Forum held at the North York Moors National Park.

There was a broad base attendance at the Forum, including representatives of land owners, those involved in water management and catchment areas. The Derwent Catchment Partnership was formed out of this event.

The Partnership had appointed a Board and was working with the community and had multiple aims including slowing the flow projects, habitats, conservation, spawning grounds, silt traps, reducing sediment in water courses and tackling non-native species.

An application had been made for National Lottery funding.

E Mellalieu advised that NYCC has divided the County into a number of catchment areas and the reasons for this and the benefits of working this way will be brought to the next meeting of the Group.

Councillor Potter reported that the British Geological Survey had been engaged to undertake baseline air quality, water quality and seismology testing in the district.

The IDB had been invited to visit the fracking site to view the measures being taken to minimise risk to IDB ditches. The EA were also monitoring  the site.

The EA is undertaking a 1 year study to do a full modelling of water courses in the Vale of Pickering. This is to produce an updated flood map, a more accurate picture of the water courses and to flag other potential issues.

More information will be brought to the next meeting.

Tuesday 18 October 2016 at 6.00 pm.