Issue - meetings

Report of Commercial Director (Bicester)

Purpose of Report

To update on the outcome of the investigation into the root cause of the flooding at Hanover Gardens on 24 December 2013.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       To note the proactive response provided by Cherwell District Council to assist the residents and management team at Hanover Gardens.

1.2       To note the outcome and recommended actions from the Environment Agency Report in Appendix 1.

1.3       To note that the Council has agreed to run an information campaign in October 2014 throughout the District on the importance of preventing debris from entering the River Bure.

1.4       To note that a partnership meeting with all interested parties continues to monitor any outstanding actions and the Council has representation through the Head of Housing and Regeneration.

Resolved

(1)          That the proactive response provided by Cherwell District Council to assist the residents and management team at Hanover Gardens be noted.

(2)          That the outcome and recommended actions from the Environment Agency Report (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be noted.

(3)          That it be noted the Council has agreed to run an information campaign in October 2014 throughout the District on the importance of preventing debris from entering all rivers in the district.

(4)          That it be noted that a partnership meeting with all interested parties continues to monitor any outstanding actions and the Council has representation through the Head of Housing and Regeneration.

The Commercial Director (Bicester) submitted a report to update on the outcome of the investigation into the root cause of the flooding at Hanover Gardens on 24 December 2013.

Executive thanked both Cherwell District Council and Oxfordshire County Council Officers for their hard work in assisting the residents and management team at Hanover Gardens and, in particular, the efforts to ensure affected residents were rehoused as quickly as possible. Executive also extended their thanks to the companies and hotels that had supported the residents.

Resolved

(1)          That the proactive response provided by Cherwell District Council to assist the residents and management team at Hanover Gardens be noted.

(2)          That the outcome and recommended actions from the Environment Agency Report (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be noted.

(3)          That it be noted the Council has agreed to run an information campaign in October 2014 throughout the District on the importance of preventing debris from entering all rivers in the district.

(4)          That it be noted that a partnership meeting with all interested parties continues to monitor any outstanding actions and the Council has representation through the Head of Housing and Regeneration.

Reasons

The immediate response provided by the Housing Team to the situation at Hanover Gardens on 24 December 2013 and for the period between Christmas and New Year was in line with Council policy and was at the high standard we expect. The team have been formally thanked for all the work that they undertook during the festive period.

As stated in Appendix 1 it is not possible to eliminate the risk of flooding from rivers but the recommendations identified in the report are positive steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of flooding from the River Bure in the future particularly in relation to preventing debris from entering the River Bure which was the root cause of the flood at Hanover Gardens.

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The Council as a member of the partnership who worked together to review this issue will ensure that it fulfils its action by the agreed date and ensure that all residents of the District are aware of how important it is to prevent debris from entering the River Bure. An information campaign beginning with a press release concerning this report will run throughout October 2014.

Alternative Options

Option 1: To approve the recommendation

Option 2: To reject the recommendation