Decision details

10.1

The Executive Director, Place submitted a report in relation to the Flood and Water Management Capital Investment Programme 2015-2021.

10.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:-

(a)

approves the inclusion of Sheffield’s Capital Investment proposals in the Government’s Flood Risk Management Grant in Aid programme (2015-2021) as outlined in section 4 of the report;

(b)

authorises Council Officers to open discussions with potential partner investors in the proposed Capital Programme of schemes and to clarify lead officer/capacity in the area of funds management;

(c)

authorises Officers to compile the necessary business cases to support the grant applications and seek approval from the appropriate Outcome Programme Boards; and

(d)

delegates authority to the Executive Director, Place in conjunction with the Interim Director of Legal Services, the Interim Director of Finance and the Interim Director of Commercial Services (or their nominated representatives), subject to revenue funding being made available, as outlined in section 6.7 of the report, to accept tenders and award contracts for the preparation of detailed business cases necessary to support submissions to the Environment Agency to secure Government flood grant in aid costs.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

To secure much needed capital investment in the City’s critical flood and damage infrastructure.

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

Do nothing

Discounted. Government has indicated that this is a unique opportunity for LLFAs and the Environment Agency to register schemes within a much more stable medium term programme of FDGIA investment to 2021. The City Council is determined to maximise this opportunity to invest in Sheffield’s critical flood and drainage infrastructure, therefore, the ‘do nothing’ option is discounted.

10.4.2

Split programme responsibility between: (a) the Environment Agency as main river authority to lead and deliver all principal river projects; and (b) Sheffield City Council as LLFA to lead and deliver ordinary watercourse projects

Discounted. The capital schemes forming the programme require partnership investment in order for them to achieve the desired priority score using the Environment Agency’s prioritisation methodology. Sheffield City Council is best placed to use its position within the City to mobilise funding partners and to secure alternative sources of funding. This approach has been shown to work by the Lower Don Valley Flood Protection Scheme. In addition, the programme is essential to delivering corporate outcomes, some of which are not direct functions of the Environment Agency and therefore the City Council is able to direct where funding is applied. Clearly, delivery within Government’s medium term investment period is in the overall functional interests of the City Council and therefore this option is discounted.

10.4.3

Split the programme and only register some schemes with Government

Discounted. This option would require the Council to decide to put one area above another and thereby increase the risk of flooding in the deselected area. As mentioned earlier this would be a lost opportunity to improve the resilience of significant parts of the City at a time when flood protection is increasing in priority for the Government and funds are being made available. That opportunity may not come again for some time.

10.4.4

Sheffield City Council as LLFA to lead and deliver the full programme supported by the Environment Agency as key programme partner and adviser

Preferred. This is the preferred option to ensure that the City benefits fully from this unique investment opportunity to become more resilient to flooding and the effects of climate change. Sheffield City Council has begun the process of building expertise and resources in this area with the formation of a Flood and Water Management Group that will lead delivery of the programme. Plans are for the Capital Delivery Service to provide full time project and funds management support to the programme with the Environment Agency’s regional partnership team providing technical, legal and programme management expertise and advice.

10.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

10.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

10.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Simon Green, Executive Director, Place

10.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Economic and Environmental Wellbeing