Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from County Councillors Darren Clifford and Miles Parkinson.

Members are asked to consider any Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Interests they may have to disclose to the meeting in relation to matters under consideration on the Agenda.

None were disclosed.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 January be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

The Chair welcomed Andy Brown and Matthew Connor from the Environment Agency, and Ian Welsby, Lancashire County Council Head of Flood Risk Management, to the meeting.

Following recent reports to the Scrutiny Committee on Flood Risk Management issues, it was resolved to request the Environment Agency (EA) to attend a meeting to discuss the role and responsibilities of the EA, particularly in reference to bating water quality and land drainage in the Alt Crossens Catchment.

Bathing Water Quality

The Committee were advised that 2014 had seen the best ever water quality results in Lancashire. This had followed significant investment  from the partner organisations involved, most significantly the work undertaken by United Utilities in Preston and elsewhere, but also reflected the relatively good weather which had reduced the amount of storm water runoff.

However, following the introduction of a revised EU Bathing Waters Directive (rBWD), which raised the required standards, there were issues with some of the waters around the Fylde Coast. It was clear from data taken that Blackpool North would be classified as "poor" at the end of 2015.  In accordance with the new rBWD, there would be a requirement for a sign posted at the site advising against bathing for the following year (2016). The notice would be an advisory notice, and the requirement was for that notice to explain the reasons for the notice. The exact wording and location was not yet known.

It was recognised that the issue was a serious one, especially in an area like the Fylde which was dependent on tourism. A number of developments had taken place to try to address the issues, with the EA working closely with the County council and other partners. Examples such as the LOVEmyBEACH initiative and the Turning Tides Partnership were given.

United Utilities (UU) had completed a major programme of improvement work in the Ribble catchment to improve St Annes, St Annes North and Blackpool South bathing waters. A large storage tunnel was completed in 2014 close to Preston City Centre to hold storm water and sewage and reduce overflows to the River Ribble during heavy rainfall. UU had finished installing ultra-violet treatment at Garstang Wastewater Treatment Works and had completed improvements to intermittent discharges in the Poulton area, which would have a positive effect on Fleetwood's bathing water.

Many bathing water areas on the Fylde Coast were affected by storm sewage discharges as a result of rainfall. The EA was working with UU to reduce the impact of discharges on bathing water quality. This work formed a key component of the Fylde Strategy that UU were developing to address bathing water issues across the Fylde Coast. Schemes had been identified to reduce the amount of clean surface water which entered the combined drainage systems on the Fylde.

All three coastal local authorities were participating in the pollution risk forecasting system for all bathing waters on the Fylde, in which regular samples were taken, and where problems were identified, signs were placed at beaches when  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

A report was presented summarising the work to be undertaken by the Committee in the coming months, including an update on task group work.

Resolved: That the report be noted

An item of urgent business may only be considered under this heading where, by reason of special circumstances to be recorded in the Minutes, the Chair of the meeting is of the opinion that the item should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency. Wherever possible, the Chief Executive should be given advance warning of any Member's intention to raise a matter under this heading.

None.

The next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee will be held on Friday 13 March at 10:30am at the County Hall, Preston.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Committee would be on Friday 13 March 2015, at 10.30 at the County Hall, Preston.