Agenda item

To submit the report of the Head of Highways, Waste and Property.

The report of the Head of Highways, Waste and Property incorporating the Flood Risk Management Strategic Plan was presented for the Executive’s consideration and approval. The Plan sets out the Council’s ambitions for managing flood risk in Anglesey for a six year period.

The report was presented by Councillor Dafydd Rhys Thomas, Portfolio Member for Highways, Waste and Property who highlighted the importance of the Plan to Anglesey and of working collaboratively with Risk Management Authorities to address the challenges posed by flooding and to reduce flood risk. The Council is statutorily required to prepare a local flood risk management plan and the plan has been subject to public consultation with details attached, and a workshop has also been held with elected members to enable their input into the draft strategic plan. The plan was also scrutinised in detail by the Corporate Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 11 March 2025.

The Head of Highways, Waste and Property confirmed that as part of the Strategic Plan, an annual action plan will be developed for each of the six financial years to address both revenue and capital related tasks.

Councillor Douglas Fowlie, Chair of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee shared Scrutiny’s perspective on the Flood Management Strategic Plan from the 11 March, 2025 meeting.  Members had raised issues regarding public engagement with the consultation, the Plan’s alignment with the Council Plan and the progress of plans and works in the Dwyran and Menai Bridge areas. Having reviewed the scope and content of the Flood Management Strategic Plan, the Corporate Scrutiny Committee had resolved to recommend the Plan for Executive approval and adoption with the addition of appendices showing the planned maintenance schedule and capital plan for 2025/26 including planned expenditure on flood relief schemes in the next financial year.

The Executive expressed full support for the Local Flood Risk Management Strategic Plan commending the team and service for their efforts. Executive members emphasised the value of flood mitigation schemes implemented in their areas and how much they were appreciated by the communities involved given the devastating impact which flooding can have on the people, households and businesses affected. They also highlighted the importance of local knowledge in providing insight into local conditions and vulnerable areas along with collaboration with partner agencies. Questions were asked about future funding for flood alleviation generally as well as the availability of funding for works in areas where road infrastructure not properties is at risk for example in areas of Beaumaris. Questions were also asked about supporting private landowners in maintaining watercourses and whether pressure could be brought to bear on Welsh Government to do more in this regard.

The Head of Highways, Waste and Property explained that while the flood prevention budget prioritises homes at risk of flooding, applications can be submitted to Welsh Government’s Resilient Roads Fund for funding to improve road resilience. Additionally, efforts are being made to elevate the significance of road resilience in Welsh Government’s funding processes due to the wide-ranging impact of road network disruptions on communities such as those experienced in the southeast of the island affecting transport, schools, and work and hospital attendance.  The aim is to ensure the allocation formula considers broader community impacts not just properties and individuals. The Officer further advised in respect of support for private landowners, that the Council’s flood prevention work funded annually is undertaken with landowner permission but does not alter ownership or responsibilities. While historical land drainage legislation may require a future national review, the Council’s role focuses on protecting at risk individuals and property locally rather than addressing potentially complex legal responsibilities. The Officer confirmed that although he was not aware of the availability of grants for individuals, the farming unions may be able to provide more information.

The Group Engineer (Structures, Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management) advised with regard to the outlook for future funding that for the 2025/26 financial year Welsh Government’s new scoring system has meant the Council missing out on grant funding for major schemes. Of the £30m available a third has been allocated to ongoing schemes with the remaining £20m open for competition among the Welsh councils. The Officer expressed concerns that funding is declining when it’s most needed and confirmed that the Council would be exploring other sources of financial support.

It was resolved to approve the Local Flood Risk Management Strategic Plan.