Meeting documents

The Scrutiny Manager updated the Panel in relation to the membership since the previous meeting. The Committee were asked to endorse the appointment of Councillor Jon Cousins as Vice-Chair. That the SRA Scrutiny Panel noted the changes in membership and the Terms of Reference of the Scrutiny Panel.

Details of all Members’ interests in District, Town and Parish Councils can be viewed on the Council Website at

County Councillors membership of Town, City, Parish or District Councils and this will be displayed in the meeting room (Where relevant).

The Statutory Register of Member’s Interests can be inspected via request to the Democratic Service Team.

There were no additional declarations of interest made.

The Committee is asked to confirm the minutes are accurate.

The minutes of the meeting held on Friday 2 nd July 2021 were confirmed as a correct record.

The Chair will allow members of the public to ask a question or make a statement about any matter on the agenda for this meeting. These questions may be taken during the meeting, when the relevant agenda item is considered, at the Chair’s discretion.  

There were no public questions.

Possible exclusion of the press and public

PLEASE NOTE: Although the main report for agenda item 6 is not confidential, a supporting appendix available to the Panel contains exempt information and is therefore marked ‘confidential – not for publication’. At any point if the Panel wishes to discuss information within the Appendix, then the Panel will be asked to agree the following resolution to exclude the press and public: -

Exclusion of the Press and Public

To consider passing a resolution having been duly proposed and seconded under Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting, on the basis that if they were present during the business to be transacted there would be a likelihood of disclosure of exempt information, within the meaning of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972: Reason: Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

The Panel considered a report from Emma Gifford, SRA Community Engagement Officer, which provided an update on Community Resilience Activities since the last Scrutiny Panel meeting. The following questions / comments were made: -

· EU funding for SRA projects and the impact of Brexit was questioned.

· The UK had 3 EU projects that had a somerset footprint, £2.1 million had been funded for these projects.

· Part of the project outputs was a regional transition roadmap looking at future options to ensure decisions taken now aren’t closing off future options. · This approach was used by London Thames 2100 to plan to protect London for up at 4 metre sea level rise due to climate change

· Having a future conversation around how this could fit into existing plans and the flood action plan.

· Dawn, Caroline and Emma were congratulated for all their hard work undertaken with Langport flood group which filtered down to all outlying communities. It was questioned what Councillors can do to encourage these groups across the whole of Somerset.

· Involvement for members of local communities was important for attendance and ensuring communities feel like they are having their voices heard.

· Proactive enquiries had been received from Parish Councils to ensure there are more established flood groups in communities at risk of flooding. Flood groups play a critical role in raising awareness about vulnerable people who may need help during a flooding event.

· Keeping community members reminded of the at risk and vulnerable groups that need to be best prepared for flood eventualities.

· The Panel were reminded that the town of Taunton is unparished sso may suffer from a lack of representation as there is no town or parish council to work with. Encouraging flood groups in Taunton may need a different approach..

· David Vigar welcomed the presentations being sent out to Parish Councils.

The Panel:- NOTED: - The progress on delivery of workstream 5 (Community Resilience Activities)

Possible exclusion of the press and public

PLEASE NOTE: Although the main report for agenda item 8 is not confidential, a supporting appendix available to the Panel contains exempt information and is therefore marked ‘confidential – not for publication’. At any point if the Panel wishes to discuss information within the Appendix, then the Panel will be asked to agree the following resolution to exclude the press and public: -

Exclusion of the Press and Public

To consider passing a resolution having been duly proposed and seconded under Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting, on the basis that if they were present during the business to be transacted there would be a likelihood of disclosure of exempt information, within the meaning of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972: Reason: Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

The Panel considered a report from David Mitchell, Senior Manager, SRA, which provided an update on the Quarter 2 21-22 Finance Report. Mr Mitchell highlighted that the he total available funds at the start of the year were £10,388k. Of this amount £7,446k was carried forward from 2020-21 and £2,942k was raised in the 2021-22 precept.

As at the end of Quarter Two:

· 3% of funds are forecast to be spent on the administration and staffing of the SRA.

· 2% will be spent on SRA core work and development.

· 8% is held as contingency.

· 87% is allocated to specific projects and activities within the Enhanced Programme. (Joint Scrutiny Panel of Somerset Rivers Authority (virtual meeting) – 28 February 2022) The following questions / comments were made: -

· Concerns were expressed in relation to the reported carry over of budgets. It was clarified that those budgets can be carried over into future years.

The Panel NOTED: - The Financial performance as at the end of quarter two of 2021-22.

The Panel received a presentation from David Mitchell, which updated the Panel in relation to the Enhanced Programme and Budget. The following questions / comments were made: -

· The panel were positive to include the contingency to manage increased requests.

· The panel considered the importance to keep momentum on project funding especially around funding timetables and match funding criteria.

· A recent scheme undertaken with Wessex water was praised, other partners needed to ensure routine maintenance so that combined investments are preserved and not lose the benefit of work being done on existing projects and investments.

· The panel encouraged greater contact with landowners and emphasising rights and responsibilities for landowners that have waterways adjacent to or running through their property.

· Requirements of developers, planners and drainage board encouraged so that they were aware of their responsibilities.

· It was acknowledged that this the riparian responsibilities project hadn’t worked as well as wanted to, the secondment has now come to an end.

· This had been reported to the Elected member of the drainage board with responsibility in the geographical area to report back to the drainage board.

· Questioning took place in relation to communications with farming communities maintaining hedges between sept and January. DEFRA were due to promote information around this area.

· Mr Mitchell and the SRA team were thanked for all their hard work

 The Scrutiny Panel NOTED:- 1. The draft 2022-23 Enhanced Programme proposals and budget. 2. Considered any recommendations they wish to make to the SRA Board in relation to the 2022-23 Enhanced Programme. (Joint Scrutiny Panel of Somerset Rivers Authority (virtual meeting) – 28 February 2022) 3. SRA Scrutiny request that riparian owners are contacted to emphasise their rights and responsibilities in relation to watercourse maintenance to ensure, where appropriate, necessary maintenance is undertaken resulting in reduced flood risk with less call on public funds.

The Panel considered a report from Mr Mitchell, Senior Manager, SRA, which provided information on the update on the progress of the Flood Action Plan Review. It was reported that work on preparing a new plan was now underway with the consultancy firm WSP awarded the commission to undertake the project. WSP will be managed by the Somerset Rivers Authority team. Regular updates will be given to SRA Management Group and the SRA Board. An overview of the process was set out with the Timescale of the draft plan published by December 2022, Joint Scrutiny Panel January 2023 and adoption by SRA Board March 2023.

The following questions / comments were made: -

· The Panel were reminded that the action plan remained a living document.

· The Panel thanked Mr Mitchell for the update and welcomed the report for consideration in July.

The Panel NOTED: - The proposed approach to preparing, and scope of, a new Flood Action Plan.

Friday 8^th July 2022 10.00 – 13.00.

The Panel AGREED the following meeting dates: -

· Friday 8 th July 2022 10.00 – 13.00

The meetings will continue to take place virtually, via MS Teams.

The Chair may raise any items of urgent business.

There were no other items of business.