Agenda item

The Chair welcomed and thanked Officers from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) for attending the meeting.

 

Councillor Keith Henson (Cabinet Member for Highways and Environmental Services and Carbon Management) explained that the purpose of the report was to provide an update on the development of Climate Change and Coastal Erosion/ Flooding. Climate change means we may face more frequent or severe weather events like flooding, droughts, and storms. These events bring 'physical risks' that directly impact communities and have the potential to affect the economy. Parts of Ceredigion’s coastline were susceptible to coastal erosion and flooding, and some inland communities were at risk of fluvial flooding and loss of land from watercourses.

 

Phil Jones provided an overview of the report. He explained that the impacts of coastal erosion, flooding and climate change could be far-reaching, with stakeholders facing life-threatening or life-changing consequences, and the effects impacting on large sectors of the County/Council. In addition, failure to reduce the effects of climate change could have reputational, financial, and environmental consequences for the Council including in the form of financial penalties for failing to meet WG targets for carbon management and biodiversity. Indirect impacts would include changes to the insects, pests and diseases which would colonise and affect our environment. As well as the immediate impacts of these, the impacts on staff time and other costs dealing with these would be significant. Loss of canopy cover from Ash Dieback already had consequences for local microclimates and would exacerbate climate change impacts as well as contribute to them.

 

It was recognised that we must lead by example and do all we could to reduce future climate change and address and mitigate the risks associated with it. Policy initiatives and strategies to include ecosystem resilience, biodiversity enhancements and flood reduction schemes must be developed and implemented if we are to succeed in reducing our carbon footprint and reducing the risk to our major infrastructure, assets, residents and communities and landscape

 

A presentation was provided to the Committee outlining the following:

·       Coastal Erosion and Flooding Responsibilities

-       Coastal erosion

-       Coast and Fluvial Flooding

-       Shoreline Management Plan 2

-       Beach Monitoring

·       Schemes supported by the Welsh Government (WG) grants

·       Latest updates- Coastal & Fluvial

·       Flood & Coastal Erosion

·       Carbon Management and Climate Change – Net Zero

·       Net Zero Action Plan & Active Travel

 

Gavin Bown explained that NRW had responsibility for regulating Welsh Water, whilst Welsh Water operated and maintained water and sewerage services. In terms of the issues raised in the presentation, he clarified that NRW were able to undertake coveted water coursework to reduce risk, but additional permission was required to carry out internal draining. In terms of the delay reported by NRW around the work required at Capel Bangor and Tal y Bont, the modelling work by WSP had not yet been received to progress the work.

 

NRW prioritised their work on a flood risk basis to communities at greatest risk of flooding, which along with other factors such as recent river and coastal flooding events to establish work programmes. Due to climate change, there was higher peak flow in rivers and flash flooding, which was more difficult to manage and respond to. In addition, it was a challenge to respond to the increase in sea levels and coastal erosion, which affected coastal areas and places of significant heritage and habitats. Approximately 1 in 8 properties in Wales were currently at risk of flooding. By 2120, an estimated 22,000 people would be at risk of flooding from rivers across Mid Wales, an increase of 6000 from current figures. In addition, around 4500 people would be at risk of flooding from the sea in 2120, an increase of 2000 people.

 

Evidence from the UK Climate Change Risk Assessment: Summary for Wales was used by NRW to steer work and to develop a climate change risk assessment. A key step in moving forward was to develop a climate change risk assessment through Ceredigion’s PSB Board. In terms of controlling the risk of flooding, flood maps were developed to guide development and to aid responders and a flood warning service was available along with live flood warnings, river and sea levels. Information about preparing and protecting communities from flooding was available on NRW’s website.

 

Matthew Jenkins provided an update on the Dyfi Flood Risk Appraisal. The following was outlined in a presentation:

·       Dyfi flood risk appraisal- Ceredigion County Council update

·       Locality

·       Background and update (2010-2013 EAW & Updated OBC Work)

·       Present day flood risk T1000, Breaches and Summary

·       Evidence Baseline Study update

·       Ongoing work, Stakeholder update and Stakeholders

·       Tidal Dyfi OBC: Long Listing- Timeline

 

Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions which were answered by Officer in attendance and Councillor Keith Henson. The main points raised were as follows:

·       Concerns were raised around whether grant funding would be lost due to the delay in NRW receiving the modelling work from WSP to progress the work. The grant was available for the financial year and there were discussions with WG to extend the report’s submission date.

·       If work was undertaken in one area, there were concerns that this would lead to unintended and unplanned consequences elsewhere. NRW took into consideration WG’s Flood Risk Strategy which factored in climate change and was included in NRW’s decision-making and plans.

·       Concerns were raised with the Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZs) regulations imposed by WG on the agriculture sector soon, and whether the county’s estate farms would be able to meet the requirements.  There would be a phased-in approach in terms of it coming into operation, and this would be reflected in how NRW regulated it. 

·       The quality of the water in the river Aeron in Aberaeron was raised. Both NRW and Ofwat have responsibility for the regulation of water companies and enforcement action was taken accordingly. There were yearly meetings with water companies at board levels, to recognise and drive improvements, to highlight concerns and to inform of future investment programmes. Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) were a key part of the sewerage system to prevent flooding. Water companies had remote monitoring which enable them to monitor spilling and act as required.

·       NRW was involved with the Wales Better River Quality Taskforce, to deliver the LIFE Programme worth over £9 million to improve 4 Welsh rivers including the river Teifi.

·       Concerns were raised that there was a lack of strategic leadership with flooding and coastal erosion and a lack of action. Published reports on flooding were dealt with nationally, considered centrally and sent through to be applied locally. Due to the lack of funding, it had to be decided nationally, regionally and locally where the priorities should be.

·       It was noted that the first two phases that had been designed and constructed at Borth were a time-limited solution, and there was always a risk as the beach was dynamic. Modelling and investigation work would be done to ensure any further work would not increase the risk of flooding elsewhere.

·       Due to a delay in completion of a study in relation to drainage issues in Borth, reassurance was given that the OBC grant funding remained for the current financial year.

·       Carbon Management and Climate Change was an ever-changing field and officers constantly reviewed plans and actions and met with National Grid to discuss issues with capacity. It was highlighted that the journey to Net Zero was a large funding requirement, and many difficult decisions would need to be taken.

·       Given that major rivers hail from the uplands, working with landowners was key to ensuring preventative measures were in place to help slow the flow and improve the quality of the river.

·       Concerns were raised that the completion of the protection and prevention works guaranteed by NRW in Llanbadarn Fawr within 6 months of the severe floods that affected areas in north Ceredigion in June 2012 had not yet been completed and was currently at a standstill. This delay caused significant mental health and well-being concerns to residents, especially during periods of poor weather. Reasons for this delay included issues with landowners, capacity to complete the work and level of risk. Dependent on several factors, there could be an opportunity for NRW to ask the local authority to complete the work at Llanbadarn Fawr. 

 

Due to technical difficulties, Tim England was unable to share a presentation of the work in Cardigan. The presentation and information on the LIFE Programme would be forwarded to share with Members.

 

Following questions by the Committee Members, it was agreed to note the progress being made in relation to the development of Fluvial and Coastal Defence Schemes, and mitigation to address the risks posed by Climate Change.