Issue - meetings

AGREED      that Cabinet:

a)            note the activities undertaken since the two flooding incidents;

b)            note the ongoing work of the Flood Partnership and the ongoing work to improve the response provided by NSDC;

c)             endorse the provision of additional one-off support to our communities through the use of the stated reserves as part of the programme to create more resilient communities in the long term in accordance with the decision-making arrangements set out in paragraph 3.1 of the report; and

d)            note and implement the resolution made by Full Council in respect of the Motion put forward on 16 July 2024 regarding flooding requests to Government

The Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Community Relations presented a report to provide Cabinet with an update following the flooding caused by Storm Babet and Henk, the creation of the Flood Partnership, the grants awarded to affected properties and to provide a proposal of actions to be requested of government.

The autumn and winter storm season of 23/24 was one of the wettest October to March periods on records for the UK with a higher-than-normal number of named storms. The Council spent a number of consecutive weeks with flood alerts and warnings in place. There have since been two multi agency flood partnership meetings with attendees from the Environment Agency (EA), Nottinghamshire County Council Emergency Planning Team, Canal and River Trust, NSDC representatives and Severn Trent. As part of the recovery process for both storms, the Council facilitated the provision of the Community Recovery Grant and Business Recovery Grant.

AGREED (unanimously) That Cabinet:

a)      note the activities undertaken since the two flooding incidents;

b)      note the ongoing work of the Flood Partnership and the ongoing work to improve the response provided by NSDC;

c)      endorse the provision of additional one-off support to our communities through the use of the stated reserves as part of the programme to create more resilient communities in the long term in accordance with the decision-making arrangements set out in paragraph 3.1 of the report; and

d)       note and implement the resolution made by Full Council in respect of the Motion put forward on 16 July 2024 regarding flooding requests to Government

Reasons for Decision:

The recommendations as set out above seek to make improvements both for an authority dealing with challenges caused by emergency events but also the impacts for our communities and relates to the following Community Plan objectives:

• Protect and enhance the district’s natural environment and green spaces;
• Reduce the impact of Climate Change; and
• Celebrate and invigorate community spirit, pride of place and a sense of belonging.

Options considered:

Do nothing – If we did not seek improvements we would not operate in a way appropriate for a Category 1 Responder and to provide appropriate levels of support to our communities.