Association of Drainage Authorities
Welland and Nene Branch
A meeting of the Welland and Nene Branch of the Association of Drainage Authorities was held at the offices of Welland & Deepings Internal Drainage Board, Deeping House, Welland Terrace, Spalding on Monday 7th June 2010 at 2.00 pm.
Present:
Dr Jean Venables Chief Executive – ADA
Mr N Osborne Lincolnshire ADA – Chairman
Mr R Leggott Lincolnshire ADA – Vice Chairman
Mr M Bradshaw Hundred of Wisbech & Waldersley IDB
Mr J Hoyles North Level District IDB – Branch Vice Chairman
Mr S Morris North Level District IDB
Mr P Sharman North Level District IDB
Mr M Sly North Level District IDB
Mr S Markillie South Holland IDB
Mr P Camamile South Holland IDB
Mr T C Purllant Welland & Deepings IDB – Branch Chairman
Mr W D Branton Welland & Deepings IDB
Mr S Pywell Welland & Deepings IDB
Mrs M Robinson Welland & Deepings IDB – Branch Secretary
Mr R Caudwell Environment Agency RFDC Chairman – Northern Area
Mr J Harvey Environment Agency
Mr I Russell Environment Agency
Mr G Szomi Environment Agency
Mr A Wilkinson Environment Agency
Mr P Bateson Witham 4th IDB (Secretary – Lincolnshire Clerks Society)
1. APOLOGIES:-
Apologies for absence were received from Mr S Ayres, Mr C Elkington, Mr H Cator, Mr S Hemmings, Mr R Hill, Mr G Lankfer, Mr D Sissons, Mr I Smith, Mr D Thomas, Mr K Vines and Mr D Worth.
2. MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on the 23rd November 2009, copies of which had been circulated were signed by the Chairman as a true record.
3. MATTERS ARISING
There were no matters arising from the Minutes.
4. PRECEPTS AND HIGHLAND WATER PAYMENTS
Mr John Harvey explained that the Environment Agency are quite happy to accept whatever method of allocation is agreed between the Boards. The total of the precepts collected by the Anglian Northern region requires an agreed formula to arrive at the individual Board’s payment. This discussion has been ongoing for too long and it is hoped that it will soon be concluded.
Mr S Morris presented his paper, copies of which had been circulated. This showed the amounts paid by each Board over the past eight years together with the percentage increases.
After discussion, Members of the Welland & Nene Branch agreed to accept future increases based on RPI.
Representatives of the Environment Agency will be meeting Witham 4th’s officers on July 1st 2010 in order to discuss their suggested methodology for the precept calculations.
Mr Harvey explained the proposed Highland Water payments which will be capped. The Environment Agency propose that the payments be increased by inflation each year based on the figures in 2009/2010. It is hoped that in the future there will be a simplified method without the need for detailed claims being submitted.
5. LINCOLNSHIRE FLOOD RISKS & DRAINAGE MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK
Mr P Camamile had attended the meeting on the 18th May 2010. The Engineers have attended a meeting but the Strategy group is yet to meet. It is hoped that the funding will be discussed at that meeting. Concern was expressed at the number of meetings arranged but it was accepted that this will be monitored over time.
6. FLOODS AND WATER BILL
Dr Venables gave a full and informative presentation on the Bill which is now an Act. It is on the statute books but is not yet enacted. Dr Venables presentation will be put on the website. The Environment Agency Flood Risk Strategy gives the power of duty to develop, maintain, apply and monitor strategy and is a matter for public discussion before being laid before Parliament. ADA are working closely with the NFU on the matter of reservoirs and embanked rivers. The consortia powers are now in the act. A copy of the changes to the Land Drainage Act is available on the website. ‘Water’ was not mentioned in the Queen’s speech and it may therefore be another 18 months before any further changes/amendments are discussed. However, the staff at Defra are still working on the Bill. Following the election the new ministerial team is:-
Caroline Spelman MP - Secretary of State
Jim Paice MP - Minister of State for Agriculture & Food
Richard Benyon MP - Parliamentary under Secretary for Natural
Environment & Fisheries
Lord Henley Parliamentary under Secretary – the House of
Lords
Mr S Morris enquired as to whether the amalgamations will be progressed quicker. Dr Venables confirmed that there is now a set time table which it is hoped will improve the way that these matters are considered.
The Chairman thanked Dr Venables for the report.
7. PAY AND CONDITIONS
Ballot papers have been distributed to Members but the result is not yet known.
8. ENGINEERS FORUM
Mr P Sharman explained that the engineers from the local Boards are meeting quarterly to share ideas and discuss problems. These have been worthwhile meetings ably led by Mr A Carrott of Witham 4th IDB. Dr Venables agreed that the information from these meetings should be forwarded to the ADA office.
9. AUDIT MATTERS
Mr Camamile remarked that the latest information with regard to the Audit was on the paper circulated in April 2010. The model template has, belatedly, been received from Grant Thornton. It is hoped that by 2011/2012 IDB’s will be taken out of the ‘on site’ audits as discussions are being held for the Audit Commission will raise the threshold to £6.5 million. Grant Thornton approved the method adopted by Cruso Wilkin to value the pumping stations, a copy of which has been forwarded to Boards.
10. IDA MATTERS
Dr Venables requested support at the conference and event to be held at the East of England showground on the 22nd and 23rd September 2010.
11. ENVIRONMENT AGENCY REPORT
Mr G Szomi reported that the work at Wisbech is almost complete. Mr J Hoyles remarked that the work looked good and he had heard many favourable comments. Work at the Dog & Doublet has started.
Meetings have been held with IDB’s in respect of Grant Claims. Mr Sharman remarked that the process seems to be more complicated than it should be.
Mr Andy Wilkinson is replacing Mr David Hawley.
Mr Ian Russell reported that the summary of the Catchment Flood Management Plan is now on the website and the main documents are available on CD.
Mr S Pywell enquired as to the position of the work at Surfleet Reservoir and on the River Glen. This work is still in the programme.
Mr Szomi advised that contact will be made with local IDB’s as to the future of Bourne Eau Pumping Station.
12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Monday 22nd November 2010 at 11 am at Deeping House, Welland Terrace, Spalding, Lincs.
Chairman