Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of City Development providing an update on the progress of proposals to provide river flood defences for the city and to enable Members to agree a design freeze on the scheme. The report also seeks approval to incur the necessary expenditure to implement the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme (LFAS) City Centre and Holbeck works.

(Appendix C to this report is designated as exempt from publication under the provisions of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4 (3)).

Further to Minute No. 74, 4^th September 2013, the Director of City Development submitted a report providing an update on the progress of proposals to provide river flood defences for the city and provided the Board with an opportunity to agree a design freeze on the scheme. In addition, the report also sought approval to incur the necessary expenditure to implement the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme (LFAS) City Centre and Holbeck works.

The Board welcomed the proposals detailed within the submitted report, with reference being made to the innovative approach which had been taken towards the establishment of a flood defence system, which included the proposed development of movable weirs at Crown Point and Knostrop. Members also welcomed the advanced flood mitigation works which began on site in Woodlesford in January 2014.

A Member highlighted the issue of home owners replacing gardens with impermeable surfaces, the potential impact that this may have in respect of local surface water levels and made enquiries into the actions being taken to monitor and address this issue. In response, officers undertook to incorporate this matter into the ongoing work which was being undertaken in respect of issues around surface water flooding, and it was noted that further information would be submitted to a future meeting of the Board. 

Responding to an enquiry, the Board was provided with an update on the progress which had been made, together with the ongoing work which continued to take place in respect of the cleansing and maintenance of gullies.

The Board noted the timescales by which it was proposed the flood defence scheme for the city centre would be completed, and received assurances that there was nothing at this time to suggest that such timescales would not be met.

Following consideration of Appendix C to the submitted report, designated as exempt from publication under the provisions of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4 (3), which was considered in private at the conclusion of the meeting, it was

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the scheme as described within the submitted report be approved.

(b)  That the promotion of Leeds City Council unsupported borrowing of £4,540,000 from the Amber to the Green Capital Programme be approved.

(c)  That expenditure from the Capital Programme of £36,463,200 for the implementation of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme works be authorised. This includes costs of £75,000 to be incurred to investigate any surface water flooding issues.

(d)  That approval be given for Leeds City Council to take responsibility for the maintenance and operation of all assets constructed as part of the Leeds (River Aire) Flood Alleviation Scheme, including the movable weirs, walls and terraces.

(e)  That authority be given to enter into a legal agreement with a third party in order to incorporate a hydropower turbine into the water course adjacent to the location of Knostrop Weir.

(f)  That the Director of City Development be authorised to negotiate and approve the detailed terms of the following:-

(i)  the acquisition of land required to facilitate the construction of the moveable weirs at Knostrop and Crown Point; and

(ii)  the incorporation of a hydropower turbine adjacent to Knostrop Weir;

(iii)  the licence to access property owned by the Canals & Rivers Trust and carry out works to remove a length of Knostrop Cut;

(iv)  the acquisition of the remainder of the island at Knostrop Cut;

(v)  any lease or other agreement required to facilitate the relocation of the Trans Pennine Trail at Knostrop Cut.

(g)  That it be noted that the Chief Officer Highways and Transportation will be responsible for the implementation of the resolutions, as detailed above.