Councillor English, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, presented the Committee’s report on the Water Management Cycle.  The report was the first part of the Committee’s major piece of work into the topic, with the second part to be prepared in the coming months.  The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee thanked all those who had contributed to the work.  The report covered a number of areas that would require work with a number of stakeholders, and changes to the approach through development control.  The report also contained recommendations that would address biodiversity, flood management and adaptation to climate change.

Councillor Jeffery addressed the Committee as a Visiting Member.

In response to questions it was noted that the Environment Agency had not responded and taken part in part one of the work, and efforts continued to be made informally by members and officers to engage them in it.  There was £100k expenditure included in the recommendations, with the expectation of an allocation through the Council’s budget, though there were potential external sources of funding that could help to deliver the actions.

RESOLVED: That

1.  The report of the Water Management Cycle Working Group (Overview and Scrutiny Committee) be received; and

2.  A substantive response to the report be provided via the completion of a SCRAIP report.