Issue - meetings

This report seeks approval to an updated Flood Risk Management Strategy, which details actions the Council and other key stakeholders are taking to manage flood risk in Brent and has been produced in accordance with the duties placed on Local Lead Flood Authorities under the Flood Risk Regulations 2009.  The original Strategy was adopted in 2015 and has been revised and updated following consultation undertaken with key stakeholders, including local residents and businesses, neighbouring boroughs, Thames Water and the Environment Agency.

Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the Flood Risk Strategy for Brent as detailed in Section 3 and appended to the report.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 14 April 25

As a result of Councillor Krupa Sheth (Cabinet Member for Public Realm and Enforcement) having submitted her apologies for absence Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) introduced a report from the Corporate Director Neighbourhoods & Regeneration seeking approval to an updated Flood Risk Management Strategy, which detailed the actions the Council and other key stakeholders were taking to manage flood risk in Brent and had been produced in accordance with the duties placed on Local Lead Flood Authorities under the Flood Risk Regulations 2009.

In presenting the report members were advised that whilst Brent had avoided the severe floods which had affected other parts of the country over recent years the borough was not immune to the challenges and risks presented by climate change and increasingly adverse weather events.  In recognising the wider social and economic impact and increasing risk associated with flooding, members were advised the opportunity had been taken to review and refresh the Strategy outlining not only the existing efforts being undertaken and in place to manage flood risks but also the steps which it was felt were required to improve them focussing on local risks such as groundwater, surface water, and ordinary watercourses.  Whilst recognising the complete prevention of flooding would not be possible to achieve members were advised the strategy had sought to prioritise actions based on evidence and resources to ensure the borough was as prepared as possible when it did occur.

In noting that the revision and update of the Strategy had followed consultation with key stakeholders, including local residents and businesses, neighbouring boroughs, Thames Water and the Environment Agency members commended the approach outlined within the strategy as a means of seeking to enhance not only the resilience of the borough in relation to flooding risk but also to address the ongoing impact of climate change.  Whilst recognising the measures already in place to maintain existing local infrastructure such as gullies and drains, members also highlighted a need to ensure this was supported through enhanced cooperation and a more coordinated approach with other key partner agencies in Brent including Thames Water, Environment Agency and Canal & Rivers Trust to ensure they were also delivering their specific responsibilities locally.

Having thanked officers for the review and ongoing implementation of the necessary strategies to keep Brent safe in working to tackle the effects of climate change, Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the Flood Risk Strategy for Brent as detailed in Section 3 and appended to the report.