Agenda item

Cabinet Member Catrin Maby introduced the report, and Ross Price delivered a presentation. Ross answered the members’ questions with Craig O’Connor.

• A member questioned the sufficiency of the six-week consultation period for the local flood strategy, suggesting it is too short and poorly timed during the holiday season. He proposed extending the consultation period from September to mid or end of October.

The officer acknowledged the concern and mentioned that while the statutory consultation period is six weeks, they would consider extending it to eight weeks to allow more time for public engagement.– ACTION

• A member expressed satisfaction that historic flooding in Tredunnock Road and the use of CCTV on the White Bridge to monitor the river were being considered. She enquired about measures to address urban creep in already built environments, noting the reduction of green spaces in front gardens and driveways and the effect on flood risk and heat reflection. The member suggested producing guides for residents on how to mitigate flood risk while installing parking spaces or low-maintenance gardens, emphasising the benefits of maintaining greenery.

The officer agreed that producing specific guides for retrofitting SUDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) and encouraging the installation of permeable surfaces in existing properties was a good idea. He mentioned that this could be included in the county-wide flood action plan. There is support for including retrofitting Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in existing properties, especially around driveways, to address urban creep and its impact on flood risk and heat reflection. While current SuDS legislation applies to new developments, the officer acknowledged a missed opportunity to encourage SuDS in already built environments. The idea will be reviewed for inclusion in the countywide flood action plan, alongside existing actions that support community-led flood resilience planning.

• A member highlighted issues with blocked drains under bridges and culverts, which can cut off villages and cause significant flooding. She noted that the flood strategy did not seem to address these practical issues or the coordination between different services. She questioned why the strategy did not include flooding of roads or fields, as these can have significant effects on residential areas. She also enquired about the coordination between different services, such as MCC and the fire service, during flooding events.

The officer explained that the strategy is high-level, but the action plan includes specific actions for localised issues. He mentioned that they plan to undertake assessments for problematic areas and work with residents and local representatives. He also noted that they work with emergency planning colleagues to develop specific emergency response plans for high-risk areas.

• A member asked whether Llanbadoc is within the boundaries of the strategic flood risk area. She noted that Llanbadoc was not mentioned in the table of main settlements in the Usk area and emphasised the importance of including it due to the regular flooding issues faced by residents.

The officer confirmed that Llanbadoc falls within the Usk catchment and is part of the Usk strategic flood risk area. The officer acknowledged the oversight and assured that Llanbadoc would be added to the table. He also confirmed awareness of the flooding issues in Llanbadoc and mentioned that a property flood resilience scheme had been delivered in recent years.

• A member asked for an update on the flood alleviation scheme in Llanbadoc, specifically around Island House and the effects of the brook there. He also enquired about the impact of the 40 houses planned in the RLDP on flooding, referencing the flooding event in May 2023. Additionally, he asked if any work was being done in the highlands to prevent flooding, such as leaky dams and natural swales.

The officers provided an update on the flood scheme, mentioning that they have received grant funding from Welsh Government to develop a scheme for the Woodside area, including Island House. The detailed design work is expected to be completed by the end of the year, and they will seek further funding for construction. The proposed 40 houses in the RLDP are not within a flood zone and will be designed with sustainable urban drainage systems. Officers mentioned that they are actively working on natural flood management schemes and collaborating with the Wye and Usk Foundation to implement measures in the upper catchments, such as reducing grazing and improving soil infiltration.

• A member expressed appreciation for the efforts in managing flooding on the Monnow Road in Overmonnow, Monmouth, noting that council workers effectively managed the flooding events in February 2020 and November 2024. He raised concerns about the unadopted estate, Kingswood Gate, where flooding occurred on Midsummer Way and Acer Way due to a ditch at the back of the property. He highlighted the need for clarity on how flood risk is managed on unadopted estates. The member suggested engaging young voters and geography students in the consultation process to increase engagement and awareness. He also recommended promoting the use of the council's reporting system for residents to report potential flooding risks, emphasizing the importance of proactive management.

The officer acknowledged the issues at Kingswood Gate and mentioned ongoing engagement with the developer and planning enforcement to resolve them. He noted that the new legislation on sustainable urban drainage systems should prevent similar issues in the future. The officer agreed on the importance of engaging schools and promoting the council's reporting system for flooding risks. He mentioned the proactive land drainage inspection program and the potential for community flood wardens.

• A member expressed appreciation for the significant work done on the flood strategy and emphasised the need for better engagement with the public, especially those who work and may not be available during standard consultation hours. She suggested extending consultation hours beyond 5pm or holding sessions on weekends. She enquired about the status of the seawall and the coastal and tidal flood risk management, referencing the information on page 77 of the strategy document. The member recommended creating a slide or visual content to share on social media to raise awareness about the consultation and the effects of global warming on flood risks.

The officer acknowledged the need for better engagement and mentioned that they could look into extending the consultation hours and holding additional sessions. He also noted that the consultation would be advertised on social media and shared with elected members and town and community councils. The officer mentioned that they are part of the Severn Estuary coastal group and are working with Natural Resources Wales on future schemes to improve coastal defences. He offered to provide more information and potentially hold a briefing for members.

• A member asked about the scale of revenue and capital grant funding that the authority has historically been successful in leveraging from Welsh Government for flood risk management. He sought context on past successes and the confidence in securing similar funding in the future

The officer explained that, historically, the authority received bespoke revenue funding grants, which increased over the years, particularly after storm events like Storm Bert. This funding is now part of the revenue support grant. He mentioned that the authority has been very successful in securing capital grant funding from Welsh Government, with no grant applications being rejected. The authority typically delivers 3 to 6 small-scale schemes per year through the small-scale works grant, and they are currently working on a larger scheme for Woodside in Usk. Ross expressed confidence in continuing to secure funding in the future.

• A member reminded participants that the report is in the context of discussions with Natural Resources Wales and highlighted the importance of community flood plans. She mentioned specific flooding issues in the Caldicot area, particularly Castle Lea, and emphasised the need for residents to have tools and information to manage flooding. The member asked what the council can do to make the website more interactive and user-friendly for residents during emergencies, suggesting that the website should provide quick access to necessary information.

The officer agreed that a Community flood plan would be very useful for areas like Castle Lea and mentioned that it is one of the actions they plan to take forward. He acknowledged that while there is a wealth of information on the website, it needs to be more user-friendly and proactively advertised. He suggested working with the communications team to periodically share information on social media and improve the website's accessibility. The officer also mentioned that the council provides sandbags during emergencies and that this information could be more widely shared. Officers agreed that the idea to put flooding on the front page of the website in a time of crisis with flooding was a good one that they will explore. The Cabinet Member emphasised the importance of having a quick access banner on the homepage of the website to help people find information quickly during emergencies. She noted that while there is a lot of useful information on flooding available on the website, it is not easy to find under pressure. She mentioned that she had previously asked emergency planning for such a banner and would follow up to ensure it is implemented.

• A member mentioned that Natural Resources Wales (NRW) will not undertake major work to increase the seawall between Newport and Chepstow, considering it a 1 in 200-year risk. He noted that NRW plans to work on the lower reaches of the Usk in the Pill area of Newport, which could put residential properties at risk. He emphasised that only general maintenance will be done on the seawall, and significant funding would be required to raise it.

The officer suggested that it would be useful to have NRW officers clarify the situation, as his recent discussions with them indicated different plans. He proposed having a session with NRW to share information and ensure everyone is aware of the ongoing and planned works.

• A member raised a concern about the availability of sandbags for businesses during the flooding in November. He mentioned that while residents were given priority, businesses were told they could not have sandbags, which caused stress for those whose premises were being flooded. He asked for a response regarding this policy.

The officer explained that the long-standing policy has been to prioritize residents over businesses for sandbags. However, he acknowledged the concern and mentioned that there is a specific action within the strategy to review and develop an up-to-date sandbag policy, which will include considerations for businesses.

• A member asked what indicators and thresholds, post-development of the RLDP, there are to ensure flood protection in Portskewett and Caldicot, and what action plans are in place if flood risk increases.

Officers confirmed that no development will occur on floodplain areas within the proposed sites. All new developments will comply with full SAB (Sustainable Drainage Systems) standards, ensuring effective water management. The drainage systems will be designed to mimic greenfield runoff, meaning they won’t increase flood risk. Flood levels – both existing and projected – will be monitored, along with any future flood events. If flood risk increases, review and monitoring mechanisms are in place to guide responsive action.

• A member enquired about the inclusion of flood level plans similar to those provided by NRW in the flood strategy. She suggested that links to NRW maps should be included so people can easily determine if an area is on a floodplain. The member asked about the changes in TAN 15, particularly regarding the simplicity of the previous C1 and C2 gradings, which were easy to understand for the general public. She wanted to know if similar simple information would still be available. The member suggested that the maps in the flood strategy should show the zones around the brooks to make it easier for people to understand the flood risks.

The officer confirmed that they could include references to TAN 15 and links to NRW maps in the flood strategy documents. He explained that the revised TAN 15 now includes references to surface water and has been strengthened to address surface water drainage in development proposals. The officer also clarified that the new TAN 15 uses Zone 1, 2, and 3 instead of the old C1 and C2 gradings. He assured that the information is still visible and spatial, and encouraged people to engage with planning officers for advice on development projects in flood zones.

• The Chair raised concerns about the flooding on Forge Road, particularly the issue of vehicles driving through floodwater and causing waves that exacerbate flooding in properties like the mill. She mentioned the difficulty in getting the road closed quickly enough to prevent this. She highlighted the lack of council assistance in the cleanup after flooding, noting that residents were left to manage on their own. She emphasised the need for better pre-planning and more organised responses to flooding events, including the cleanup of pavements, which were hazardous after the flood.

The officer acknowledged that some of the issues fall under the responsibility of Highways colleagues and agreed to take the concerns away for further discussion. He suggested setting up a separate meeting with highways colleagues to discuss the specific issues related to Forge Road and Monmouth, including the procedures for road closures and cleanup operations– ACTION. The officer also recognised the importance of having a more organised and proactive approach to managing flooding events and ensuring that residents receive the necessary support during and after such events.

Chair’s Summary:

Emma thanked Ross on behalf of residents for how he has helped after flooding