Emergency Committee meeting, 14/3/2017 – Minutes
Minutes of the Emergency Committee of the Council which took place on Tuesday 14th March at 7.30pm at the Parish Council Office at 2 School Road, Wellesbourne
Present: Chairman Cllr Lawley, Cllrs Mrs Bolton, Mrs Hurdman, Mrs Prior
Minutes taken by Admin Assistant Mrs Skinner, Members of the public 4
- Welcome
- Approval of Apologies for Absence – given and accepted from Cllr Mrs Bartlett
- Confirmation of the order of the Agenda – agreed
- Identification of any items that might be resolved for confidential session – none
- Declarations of Interest – none
- Open Session for members of the public to raise any matters of relevance to the Parish
Cllr Lawley invited members of the public to join in with discussion through the meeting.
Matters Arising (not included in the agenda)
Cllr EL provided an update on Orbit’s flood plan. He noted that he had Orbit’s contact details and that a previous problem about contact had been resolved. Orbit has offered to do a trial run, not yet taken up due to staff absences. In case of possible, flooding Orbit’s plan was to move residents upstairs, evacuating thereafter if necessary.
Mr Roger Wright of Ettington Close stated that after the 2008 flood, South Warwickshire Housing Association (SWHA) had an evacuation plan which included the Fire Service.
Action | Ascertain Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Resilience Team’s flood response responsibilities and if this includes the Fire Service. | By: Cllr EL |
Confirmation of the minutes – 20th September 2016 – confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman
- Newbold Brook
8.1 Mr Wright, Mr Mark Banning and Cllr Heaton had ‘walked’ the brook, although no written report was produced. A discussion at the office following the walk identified various actions including the office to provide Mr Banning with details of the riparian landowners and to forward a copy of a map supplied by Mr Wright. Mr Tony Stevenson, Newbold Road, expressed concern he had not been invited and stated that the brook had not been cleared.
The meeting noted that some vegetation had been cut in the ditch alongside the Newbold Road but the pipe work under the gateways had not been installed. [See also the post meeting report]
Responsibility for maintenance of the ditch was uncertain.
Cllr EL noted that progress had been slower than anticipated and a letter would be sent to WCC.
Action | Inform Mr Banning of riparian landowners | By: Office |
Action | Discuss with landowners | By: Mr Banning |
Action | Clarify action taken by WCC, and ongoing responsibilities for the ditch | By: Cllr EL |
River Levels
Cllr EL stated that the river levels vary tremendously over a short period of time. The Environment Agency website https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/station/2029 shows the levels; flooding is a risk even at relatively low levels.
[Click the link for an illustration showing this ] Flood Risk Monitoring Feb 17
- Cameras and Environment Agency data
Cllr EL asked that all members of the committee should monitor the river level via https://www.vision-link.co.uk/community cameras. Select West Midlands area from the map and then Bridge Street. Danger point is reached when the level is at the top of the underside of the arch. [Click the link for an illustration showing this] River Levels
- Flood forum and Newsletters
Cllr EL reported his resignation from the Parish Council, effective from the end of April 2017. The future of flood forums is uncertain; there isn’t one planned for this year.
Action | Ascertain future plans for flood forums. | By: Office |
12. Emergency boxes
12.1 Storage locations
The two emergency boxes have been restocked by Cllr EL and the Clerk. One is stored in the Council office, the other in Cllr EL’s garage. It was proposed that the latter should be housed at WSCC building but must be accessible 24/7. Cllr EL reported that the Emergency Plan was up to date; the Clerk has updates for plan in the WWPC office box. The box contents will need reviewing at the end of the year and items replacing / renewing as necessary.
Action | Request emergency box to be stored at WSCC and 24/7 accessibility to be confirmed | By: Cllr AP |
Action | Review content of boxes annually | By: WWPC |
13. Committee or Working Party
The meeting discussed whether the group would remain a committee or become a working party. No conclusion was reached.
Action | Discuss at May WWPC meeting if Emergency Committee should remain or become a working party | By: All |
14. Exchange of information
Cllr RB gave warm thanks to Cllr EL for his excellent work on emergency planning.
Cllr EL recommended the Citizen Aid leaflet, priced at £2 each, be made available to all councillors and one placed in each emergency box.
Action | Buy 20 copies of the Citizen Aid leaflet to distribute to councillors and add to emergency boxes | By: Office |
Action | Publicise Citizen Aid leaflet in Wellesbourne & Walton News | By: Cllr AP |
Cllr EL gave his thanks to everyone for attending and wished the committee well for the future.
- Date of next meeting 12th September 2017 – noted
There being no further business to discuss the meeting closed at 8.11pm
Chairman Cllr Lawley
Signed……………………………………
Date……………………………………..
Completed 20th March 2017 KMS