To be moved by Councillor A Carter and seconded by Councillor Miro:
This Council notes:
1.
With great regret, the devastating flooding that occurred in
Catcliffe and Treeton on 21st October 2023. As a result of the
flooding, hundreds of houses were evacuated and extensive damage to
property resulted from the ingress of flood waters to domestic
properties and local businesses.
2.
That looting of residential properties occurred in Catcliffe during
the floods in 2007.
3. That in the aftermath of the 2007 Catcliffe floods the Council held a public meeting with residents to discuss the evacuation, flood, and subsequent response and receive feedback from residents.
This Council is concerned:
4. That the Environment Agency did not issue an appropriate warning early enough to reduce the risk to life and enable more motor vehicles and personal possessions to be saved from the flood waters. Water levels were rising for some time before flood defences in Catcliffe were breached.
5. About the difficulty residents in Catcliffe have reported in obtaining home and motor vehicle insurance, and in some instances where residents have obtained a quotation, it has been unaffordable.
6. That South Yorkshire Police were actively enforcing the underused Wood Lane bus gate when alternative main routes in Catcliffe and Brinsworth were impassable, when looting of evacuated residential properties was a high risk.
7. That South Yorkshire Police have not changed their policy on enforcement of the Wood Lane bus gate when they attempted to prioritise enforcement of this during the 2019 flooding crisis that affected residents in the borough.
This Council therefore resolves:
1. That it has no confidence in the ability of the Environment Agency to provide an adequate response to future flooding in Catcliffe and Treeton to keep residents, homes, and businesses safe.
2. That the Chief Executive and Council Group Leaders are requested to write to:
a. The Environment Agency requesting:
i. A detailed explanation and a commitment to hold an enquiry to determine why a suitable warning was not issued to residents earlier when it was clear that flood waters would imminently breach the flood defences in Catcliffe.
ii. Significant investment in and improvement of the flood defences of the River Rother at Catcliffe.
iii.
A detailed explanation and a commitment given to residents why
active flood management of the River Rother up and down-stream of
Catcliffe and Treeton did not appear to take place in the October
2023 flood.
b. The Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police and Police and Crime Commissioner:
i. Expressing regret that the Force focussed on enforcing the bus gate on Wood Lane at a time when alternative main routes in Catcliffe and Brinsworth were impassable and looting of residential properties was a high risk.
ii.
Requesting a commitment to residents that they will not enforce the
Wood Lane bus gate when flooding is affecting main routes into and
out of Catcliffe, Treeton, and Brinsworth; and ensure that
commanding officers are made aware of this commitment.
c. The Government requesting funding to as a minimum implement the Council’s Six Priority Flood Alleviation Schemes throughout the borough, and specific additional funding to invest in further improvements to better protect Catcliffe and Treeton.
3.
That the Council’s spokesperson on the South Yorkshire Police
and Crime Panel is requested to raise the issues outlined in 2.b.i.
and 2.b.ii. directly with the Police and Crime Commissioner and
South Yorkshire Police leadership at the next meeting of the Police
and Crime Panel.
4.
That the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Management Board
considers a further review into flood defences in the borough, with
a particular focus on those areas where flood defences were
breached in the October 2023 floods.
5.
That the Council’s Cabinet is asked to consider additional
capital funding to improve flood defences in Catcliffe and to
consider funding projects that will better make homes in Catcliffe
and Treeton safer from flooding.
6. That the Council holds a public meeting in a suitable local venue within the next three months with residents of Catcliffe and Treeton to hear their feedback about the flooding, evacuation, and subsequent response along similar lines as in 2007; with senior council officers, cabinet members, councillors, South Yorkshire Police, and the Environment Agency requested to be in attendance.
Minutes:
It was moved by Councillor A Carter and seconded by Councillor Miro:
This Council notes:
This Council is concerned:
4. That the Environment Agency did not issue an appropriate warning early enough to reduce the risk to life and enable more motor vehicles and personal possessions to be saved from the flood waters. Water levels were rising for some time before flood defences in Catcliffe were breached.
This Council therefore resolves:
i. A detailed explanation and a commitment to hold an enquiry to determine why a suitable warning was not issued to residents earlier when it was clear that flood waters would imminently breach the flood defences in Catcliffe.
ii. Significant investment in and improvement of the flood defences of the River Rother at Catcliffe.
iii.
A detailed explanation and a commitment given to
residents why active flood management of the River Rother up and
down-stream of Catcliffe and Treeton did not appear to take place
in the October 2023 flood.
i. Expressing regret that the Force focussed on enforcing the bus gate on Wood Lane at a time when alternative main routes in Catcliffe and Brinsworth were impassable and looting of residential properties was a high risk.
ii.
Requesting a commitment to residents that they will
not enforce the Wood Lane bus gate when flooding is affecting main
routes into and out of Catcliffe, Treeton, and Brinsworth; and
ensure that commanding officers are made aware of this
commitment.
During the meeting, it was confirmed that a Section 19 audit was underway in relation to the flooding in Treeton and Catcliffe. A Section 19 investigation was a statutory requirement for Lead Local Flood Authorities required under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. It aimed to give an explanation of what happened during the flood event and would give recommendations on what lessons could be learned from the event. As such, the Leader stated that it would be more beneficial to residents to hold the meeting once that report had been published. This was agreed by the proposer of the motion.
On being put to the vote, the motion was carried unanimously.