Agenda item

“This Council and everyone in Leeds remembers the devastating impact of the Storm Eva floods in Leeds over the Christmas period in 2015 and in particular the destruction caused to thousands of residential and business properties. 

Council recalls commitments made at that time by Government Ministers to ensure delivery of Phase 2 of the Leeds Flood Alleviation scheme to prevent a repeat of the damage and misery caused by Storm Eva.

Council is therefore deeply concerned by a letter received from the Environment Agency rejecting the Council’s proposed flood defence scheme and only offering to fund a lower cost scheme with a reduced level of protection that would not prevent a reoccurrence of the 2015 floods.

Council calls for the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to meet Council representatives as soon as possible to ensure sufficient Government funding is provided to deliver Phase 2 of the Leeds Flood Alleviation scheme in its entirety to a 1 in 200 year standard.”

In accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 14.9 (a) leave of Council was given to Councillor Blake to alter the motion in her name by the inclusion of the amendment in the name of Councillor Andrew Carter.

The amended motion is set out below;

It was moved by Councillor Blake, seconded by Councillor Andrew Carter that this Council and everyone in Leeds remembers the devastating impact of the Storm Eva floods in Leeds over the Christmas period in 2015 and in particular the destruction caused to thousands of residential and business properties. 

Council recalls commitments made at that time by Government Ministers to ensure delivery of Phase 2 of the Leeds Flood Alleviation scheme to prevent a repeat of the damage and misery caused by Storm Eva.

Council is therefore deeply concerned by a letter received from the Environment Agency rejecting the Council’s proposed flood defence scheme and only offering to fund a lower cost scheme with a reduced level of protection that would not prevent a reoccurrence of the 2015 floods.

Council calls for the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to meet Council representatives on an all-party basis as soon as possible to ensure sufficient Government funding is provided to deliver Phase 2 of the Leeds Flood Alleviation scheme in its entirety to a 1 in 200 year standard.

In accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 13.2(d) and 14.10 and with the consent of the seconder leave of Council was given to Councillor Andrew Carter to withdraw the amendment in his name.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Campbell, seconded by Councillor Downes;

To move an Amendment:

To include “in all areas of the City” at the end of the first paragraph and

To include “plus a commitment to fund an alleviation scheme in Otley to help” after “Leeds Flood Alleviation scheme” in paragraph two and

To include “along with Otley” after “Phase 2 of the Leeds” and replace “its” with “their” after “Flood Alleviation scheme in” in the fourth paragraph and

Remove “to a 1 in 200 year standard” at the end of the fourth paragraph.

The amended motion will then read:

“This Council and everyone in Leeds remembers the devastating impact of the Storm Eva floods in Leeds over the Christmas period in 2015 and in particular the destruction caused to thousands of residential and business properties, in all areas of the City.

Council recalls commitments made at that time by Government Ministers to ensure delivery of Phase 2 of the Leeds Flood Alleviation scheme, plus a commitment to fund an alleviation scheme in Otley, to help prevent a repeat of the damage and misery caused by Storm Eva.

Council is therefore deeply concerned by a letter received from the Environment Agency rejecting the Council’s proposed flood defence scheme and only offering to fund a lower cost scheme with a reduced level of protection that would not prevent a reoccurrence of the 2015 floods.

Council calls for the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to meet Council representatives as soon as possible to ensure sufficient Government funding is provided to deliver Phase 2 of the Leeds, along with the Otley, Flood Alleviation scheme in their entirety.”

The amendment in the name of Councillor Campbell were declared lost and upon being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED – That this Council and everyone in Leeds remembers the devastating impact of the Storm Eva floods in Leeds over the Christmas period in 2015 and in particular the destruction caused to thousands of residential and business properties. 

Council recalls commitments made at that time by Government Ministers to ensure delivery of Phase 2 of the Leeds Flood Alleviation scheme to prevent a repeat of the damage and misery caused by Storm Eva.

Council is therefore deeply concerned by a letter received from the Environment Agency rejecting the Council’s proposed flood defence scheme and only offering to fund a lower cost scheme with a reduced level of protection that would not prevent a reoccurrence of the 2015 floods.

Council calls for the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to meet Council representatives on an all-party basis as soon as possible to ensure sufficient Government funding is provided to deliver Phase 2 of the Leeds Flood Alleviation scheme in its entirety to a 1 in 200 year standard.