Report to Portfolio holder for
Community Services and the
Environment
4th November 2014
Subject:
River Loddon Flow Management Project
Status:
Open
Report ref:
Ward(s):
All
Key Decision:
No
Key Decision / Ref:
N/A
Report of:
Policy Manager (Planning Policy and Infrastructure)
Contact officer:
Adam Dodgshon
Appendices:
None
Papers relied on to
None
produce this report:
1
Executive Summary
1.1
During the budget process it was agreed that the council would fund an
Environment Agency project to measure flows on the River Loddon. A sum of
£50,000 was put aside to purchase and install equipment. This sum includes
a £13,000 risk contingency. The Environment Agency is now ready to
purchase the equipment.
1.2
The purpose of this report is to seek Portfolio Holder approval to release of
the funds.
2
Recommendation
2.1
It is recommended that:
2.1.1
The Portfolio Holder approves the release of up to £50,000 from the 2014/15
capital programme to the Environment Agency to include the purchase and
installation of the gauge equipment.
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PRIORITIES, IMPACTS AND RISKS
Contribution to Council Priorities
This report accords with the council’s Budget and Policy Framework and directly
supports the Council Plan priority/priorities of protecting our environment.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Term
Definition
MAIN CONSIDERATIONS
3
The Proposal
3.1
The upper Loddon is currently failing to achieve Good Ecological Status under
the Water Framework Directive.
3.2
The use of new gauging equipment will assist in obtaining good quality
information in respect of the water quality modelling associated with significant
housing development in the Basingstoke area. The issue of the quality of the
modelling data has been raised as a significant issue by external partners in
response to the Loddon Catchment Implementation Plan and is the subject of
ongoing Parliamentary briefings.
3.3
The data to be obtained will include both, level and flow information, for the
total Loddon plus the Left branch past Basingstoke Sewage Treatment Works.
Once set up, the Environment Agency will collect the data, and share this with
BDBC annually, as well as on request.
4
Options Analysis
4.1
Given that the objectives of the project are to improve the water quality
modelling in the River Loddon, the choice of both partner and method was
pretty much pre-defined.
5
Corporate Implications
5.1
Financial Implications
5.1.1
The approved capital programme includes a budget for this scheme of
£50,000. The Environment Agency has advised that the cost will be £37,000
to enable the purchase and installation of the gauge equipment .The
remaining £13,000 budget will only be made available to the Environment
Agency if final costs are higher and evidence is provided.
5.1.2
It is recommended that the portfolio holder approves the release of this budget
to enable the works to be completed. The Environment Agency is planning to
start the works in February 2015 with completion due in March 2015.
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5.2
Risk Issues
5.2.1
That the equipment is not installed correctly or is in some way faulty and fails
to provide accurate readings. This is mitigated, against by having the
Environment Agency as project manager who have built in contingency
measures for this.
5.3
HR Issues
5.3.1
None
5.4
Equalities
5.4.1
None
5.5
Legal Implications
5.5.1
The contract is between Environment Agency and BDBC. The only specific
action for BDBC is to agree to the contract to release the funds.
5.6
Any Other Implications
5.6.1
This project will provide accurate information on the flows of the River Loddon,
assisting the council in demonstrating that water quality for the river is not
affected by development in the area, and that measures can be put in place to
achieve Good Ecological Status.
6
Comment from Portfolio Holder
6.1
7
Communication and Consultation
7.1
Maria Miller MP has expressed an interest in advertising the successful
completion of the project. It is suggested that BDBC and the EA produce a
joint statement advertising the installation of the gauges and the partnership
between the two organisations.
8
Conclusion
8.1.1
Once installed, these gauges will help provide good quality information on the
flow and levels of the River Loddon in order to assist in improving the
modelling of water quality to assist with achieving Good Ecological Status.
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