Agenda item

(1)       Mr Harwood drew the Committee’s attention to the variance between the Alerts and Warnings recorded in the past few months and those received during the corresponding period in the previous year.  In 2013/14 (November to March) there had been 41 warnings and 5 severe warnings whereas this year there had been 9 warnings and no severe warnings.  The comparison was even greater when the figures for Met Office Severe Weather Flood Alerts and Warnings were set against one another.  There had been just 10 since the last meeting compared to 87 in 2013/14.  The Thames Barrier had been closed on 4 occasions since the last meeting as opposed to 49 times in the corresponding period in 2013/14.  A total of 11 significant flooding related emergencies had been reported to the 24/7 KCC Emergency Planning Duty Officer since the last meeting.  The figure for 2013/14 had been 66.

(2)       Mr Flaherty said that Kent Fire and Rescue had invested a considerable amount of time and work in communities, resilience and equipment and this had resulted in improved response to those events that had occurred.  He confirmed that his service had also seen a far lower level of flood-related activity than during the previous year. 

(3)       Mrs Brown reported that Yalding had not even had to deal with water on the road during the winter.   The only issue that her parish had taken up with the Environment Agency was that warnings had been given at a very early stage.   These warnings were, by their nature, not accurate enough. It would be preferable if the warnings were given once it became clear that an event was actually going to occur.   She was pleased with the revisions made to the warning zones as this now meant that warnings could be given to those actually affected rather than to an entire stretch of river.

(4)       Mr Curd (Environment Agency) said that there had been some difficulties with the warning system in the Medway catchment area. Owing to the size of the warning zones, a number of communities had received warnings when it had not been appropriate for them to do so. As a result (and following consultation with the communities) these warning zones had been reorganised by increasing their number and reducing their size.  Work was still being undertaken on identification and confirmation of the correct trigger levels.

(5)       Mr Vickery-Jones informed the Committee of Mr Ted Edwards’ imminent retirement after many years as Canterbury CC’s Engineering Manager.   The Committee formally expressed its appreciation for his outstanding service and wished him a very happy retirement.  

(6)       Mr Hills said that on 30 September 2014 Kent had seen the highest tide levels in 25 years (11 tides over 8 metres).  It was therefore critical (particularly in the Romney Marsh area) that the EA and IDB carried out the re-cutting to a high standard this year. It was essential to avoid complacency.

(7)       RESOLVED that:-

(a)             the level of alerts received since the last meeting of the Committee be noted; and

(b)          Mr Ted Edwards be personally thanked for his many years of outstanding service and wished a happy retirement.