Agenda item

(1)       Mr Harwood introduced his report by saying that since publication of the agenda papers, the number of Met Office weather warnings set out in paragraph 2.6 had risen to six with four yellow warnings for wind.  As a consequence, the figure in Appendix 2 should now read “four” and include the additional date of 6 July.  He pointed out that this was a highly unusual time of the year for the Met Office to need to issue such a warning.

(2)       Mr Harwood then said that there had been great fluctuations in weather patterns since the Committee had last met. April had seen a mere 8% of its normal rainfall resulting in ponds drying out and causing environmental impacts, particularly on wildlife.  May, in contrast had been very wet with 151% of the long term average of rainfall being recorded.  Most of this total had fallen on 17 May causing surface water impacts, highways flooding and other emergencies.   Drainage capacity had struggled to cope with this cloud burst.  Such instances were now becoming far more common than before.  June had experienced some 150% of average rainfall, most of which had fallen on or after 22 June.  Once again, there had been surface water impacts even in areas where drainage was normally adequate and where permeable paving was usually successful. 

(3)       Mr Harwood then referred the Committee to paragraph 2.3 of the report. He said that Kent was very reliant on groundwater and the chalk aquifer for its recharge.  The spikes of intense rainfall were impacting upon the necessary groundwater recharge. This had implications for the chalk aquifer and agriculture.  Although the reservoirs had been well replenished with surface water, groundwater recharge levels had been disappointing.  This continued the pattern for groundwater recharge experienced over the previous few years.

(4)       Mr Harwood said that significant local issues of surface water flooding had occurred in Hythe and Aylesford with impacts on highways and properties.  There had also been a lightning strike on a pumping station in Thanet.

(5)       Mr Harwood continued that the Met Office’s long term three months summary was suggesting that temperatures would be 35% hotter than average, although the chance of average temperatures was higher at 50%.  Very high spring tides were going to occur in November when high levels of storm activity often occurred.  If the two coincided, there could be a risk to life and property.     

(6)       Mr Harwood concluded by referring to Exercise Basilea on 4 November which would be based on a storm surge and coastal flooding scenario. It would test KCC’s surface water and fluvial water flooding response capability under the most extreme circumstances.

(7)       Mr Thomson said that residents of Hawkhurst experienced a great deal of surface water flooding and that this was largely attributable to inadequate drainage.  The Chairman agreed and said that Southern Water often had to cope with Victorian drainage infrastructure.   Drainage maintenance was therefore a major priority which was carried out by KCC’s Drainage Team led by Earl Bourner. The recent surface water flooding in Hythe had apparently been caused by a fat ball blocking the drains.  This drew attention to the need for regular inspection and cleansing before the flooding event took place.  

(8)       RESOLVED that the report be noted.