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MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

CABINET MEMBER FOR REGENERATION

REPORT OF ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY STRATEGY

Report prepared by Bartholomew Wren and Sue Whiteside 

Date Issued: 9^th July 2009

1.           WATER CYCLE STRATEGY

1.1        Issue for Decision

1.1.1   On 10^th September 2008, the Cabinet approved a sum of £40,000 from Growth Point revenue funding to deliver a Water Cycle Strategy (WCS) for Maidstone.  This report seeks authority to disburse the sum through the appointment of consultants to undertake the WCS. 

1.2        Recommendation of Assistant Director of Development and Community Strategy

1.2.1   That the Cabinet Member for Regeneration authorises the disbursement of £40,000 from the Growth Point Revenue Fund to appoint consultants to undertake a Water Cycle Strategy for Maidstone.

1.3        Reasons for Recommendation

1.3.1    It is a requirement of Growth Point status that the Council undertakes a Water Cycle Strategy.  This is a best practice measure in areas where either high levels of growth are expected or significant stress upon water resources and infrastructure is anticipated as a result of development.  The study will feed into the LDF evidence base, to inform the Core Strategy and its accompanying Infrastructure Delivery Plan/Infrastructure Schedule.

1.3.2   It is expected that, through the development of the WCS, key delivery organisations including the Environment Agency and Water Companies can work closely and supportively together.  The work will be undertaken externally by appointed consultants, managed by the Council.

1.3.3   A WCS will identify:

• Water related constraints which may present barriers to development
• Environmental risks, constraints and opportunities
• The location and scale of capital infrastructure works that could be delivered to mitigate the impacts of development
• Capital and revenue costs for infrastructure, as well as funding sources
• Infrastructure delivery timescales and phasing in accordance with the housing trajectory and phasing of employment land.
  
  

1.3.4   It is expected that a draft of the outline study will be delivered early October, to be followed by the final report late October 2009.

1.4        Alternative Action and why not Recommended

1.4.1   The study could be undertaken in-house, but it is considered that the delivery of a WCS requires specialist skills in the areas of water infrastructure engineering, water supply and disposal, management and treatment.  Therefore it is appropriate to appoint a consultant with the relevant skills, track record and local knowledge to undertake this work on behalf of the Council. 

1.5        Impact on Corporate Objectives

1.5.1   The study will form part of the LDF evidence base and will inform both the Core Strategy and Infrastructure Delivery Plan. The study will assist in reaching a robust understanding of the environmental and infrastructure capacity of existing resources, as well as the additional water services infrastructures which are necessary to sustainably support growth and development in Maidstone up to 2026.   

1.6        Risk Management

1.6.1   The WCS is necessary to inform the Core Strategy and the Council’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan.  Careful management of the work programme to ensure that the project is delivered to timetable will be essential to avoid any delay to the Core Strategy programme.

1.7        Other Implications

1.7.1    

1.7.2                   Financial: Fees for consultants to undertake the WCS will be met through the Growth Point revenue funding budget.

1.7.3                   Staffing:  The management of consultants can be undertaken within existing staff resources.

1.7.4                   Environmental/Sustainable Development: The production of a WCS for Maidstone meets environmental and sustainable objectives.

1.7.5                   Procurement: Consultants will be appointed in accordance with the Council’s standing orders for the procurement of services.

1.8        Background Documents

1.8.1   Environment Agency – Water Cycle Study Guidance http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/pdf/GEHO0109BPFF-e-e.pdf

1.8.2   Record of Decision of the Cabinet – 10^th September 2008 http://www.maidstone.gov.uk/pdf/080910_rod_cab_growthpointfunds.pdf