Memorandum submitted by Torbay Council
FINDINGS OF
THE FLOODING
WITHIN TORBAY
REVIEW PANEL
(A SCRUTINY REVIEW
COMMISSIONED BY
TORBAY COUNCIL'S
OVERVIEW AND
SCRUTINY BOARD)
1. The following evidence addresses the below
key point which is being investigated by the Select Committee:
The agencies responsibilities for flood defence
and flood mapping, including guidance to the public.
EVIDENCE TO
BE CONSIDERED
BY SELECT
COMMITTEE
2. In the summer of 2004 Torbay Council's Overview
and Scrutiny Board conducted a review into flooding within the
area of Torbay. The committee that conducted this investigation
was known as the Flooding within Torbay Review Panel.
As part of the review the Panel gathered evidence
and information from the Environment Agency on flooding and flood
prevention in Torbay.
3. The Panel were informed that the Environment
Agency had undertaken a major flood alleviation scheme on the
Galmpton watercourse in Torbay in the light of severe flooding
that took place on 24 December 1999 which resulted in a fatality.
It was explained to the Panel that the Galmpton watercourse was
the responsibility of the Environment Agency as it was a main
watercourse and that although the watercourse was small it was
highly susceptible to flooding.
4. The work carried out by the Environment Agency
at Galmpton primarily consisted of the implementation of new or
replacement culverts which would reduce the chance of collapse
or blockage. The Agency also incorporated overflow screens in
case the culverts became overwhelmed. This work was carried out
in 2003 at a cost of £500,000.
5. When the Panel met with a representative
from the Environment Agency to consider the success of the work
they had undertaken at Galmpton the Area Flood Defence Manager
for the Environment Agency stated that he considered the project
to be a great success. This evaluation of the scheme was endorsed
by stakeholders such as Galmpton Resident's Association who stated
that they were highly impressed with the scheme and the follow
up work that had been carried out by the Agency in regard to informing
local residents about their rights and responsibilities in relation
to the local watercourse.
6. The Resident's Association also stated that
the alleviation scheme had undergone a major test on 22 June 2004
when heavy rainfall had hit the area. Nevertheless they stated
that the scheme had dealt with the extra rainwater well.
7. Overall the Resident's Association stated
that they were very happy with the work the Agency had carried
out at Galmpton.
8. Later in the review the Panel were informed
that from 2006 the Environment Agency would be taking responsibility
for Torbay's Critical Ordinary Watercourses or COWs and that the
Agency had also introduced at Torbay Council's request a coastal
flood warning for areas of the South Devon coast which are exposed
to easterly weather conditions.
9. Finally the Panel stated that they were impressed
that the Council's Drainage and Structure section worked closely
with the Environment Agency on a number of projects in relation
to flooding. They were also pleased to discover that many of these
projects were also carried out in co-operation with South West
Water and the Meteorological Office.
Mark Hammett
Overview and Scrutiny Officer to the Flooding within
Torbay Review Panel
November 2005
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