Edzell Flood Group Meeting (No 11) Monday 24th June 2013 at 7.30pm – The Panmure Arms Hotel, Edzell. Persons in attendance Fiona Work, Wakter Scott, Alan McKeown, Alasdair Reid, Gill Reid, Diana Dalrymple, W Greig, C Whitehead, J Richardson, R I Reive, Peter George, Elizabeth Ferguson, Sheona Hunter, Judith Gallacher, David Milne, I Goodall, Jill Laiphe, J Ferguson, Paul Hendy, Duncan Smedley, Frances Greenwood, Gerry Greenwood, G Robertson, Matt Hoskin, Councillor Jim Houston, David Pucci , Councillor Bob Myles. Apologies received from Andy Turnbull, Ross Duff, Linda Hoskin Chair – Fiona Work Note taker – Janice Wotherspoon (Angus Council) Notes The notes of the previous meeting were accepted as correct. Notes from previous meetings are available on the noticeboard at Edzell post office. Introduction Fiona Work opened the meeting introduced herself and Council attendees and also thanked everyone for coming. She explained what happened on the 23rd December 2012 and that some members of the flood group were still decanted from their houses. Various initiatives are ongoing within the community including burn clearance and inspection. Agenda The main agenda item was an update from Alan McKeown, Strategic Director Communities, Angus Council on the meeting that was held to discuss the proposal from David Bruce to construct a flood relief pipe for the Whishop Burn at a cost of £500K. David Bruce has requested that Angus Council pay the costs back over 2 years. Angus Council Update Alan McKeown from Angus Council explained the outcome of the meeting with elected members to discuss the flood relief pipe proposal from David Bruce. The proposal needs to be considered in more detail by Angus Council and to allow them to do this a planning application has been submitted for the proposal. He explained that the determination of the planning application will be for the elected members who sit on the planning committee. In relation to the finance considerations of the project, he explained that there is a degree of flexibility within the capital budget however, this project would require to be prioritised against other projects in the capital plan and Angus Council’s procurement processes need to be followed. Angus Council are keen to expedite the approval process for the flood relief pipe and have asked Grontmij who are currently working on behalf of Angus Council to model the proposed pipe to assess the impacts. Allan McKeown explained that the Council are trying to provide a realistic balance in respect of the proposal and to ensure that all the requisite processes are followed. Councillor Myles explained that David Bruce is prepared to install the relief pipe in advance of any payment from the Council but he understood the need for scrutiny in the approval process and to ensure value for money. He considers that the estimate at £500K is low and that the ideal time to carry out the work is August/September. Alan Budge (representing David Bruce) said that the quotation for the proposal was currently £480K for a 900mm diameter pipe and that there would be no additions to this price. David Bruce has had an independent engineers report carried out which has been submitted as part of the planning application. This has suggested that a 600mm diameter pipe is sufficient and the overall cost of the proposal will be reduced by 15%. Alan Mckeown confirmed that Angus Council will continue to take procurement and legal advice as the proposal is assessed through planning. A question was raised about the legal responsibility for a pipeline on anothers land and whether there was the potential for litigation against Angus Council for flood damages. Paul Hendy confirmed that the legal responsibility to protect properties was with the property owner in the first instance. Walter Scott Angus Council outlined the duties of Angus Council in respect of Flood Risk which included the duty to prepare a schedule of clearance and repair works which could potentially reduce flood risk. Peter George asked whether the scope of the modelling work being carried out by Grontmij had been extended to include the flood relief pipe and Janice Wotherspoon confirmed that it had. Walter Scott confirmed that a flood relief channel was not the only solution and that other solutions have been considered which include clearance and repair and property level protection. Pater George tabled a drawing which showed the extent of the flooding and Janice Wotherspoon comforted that this would be forwarded to Grontmij. Overall 44 properties were flooded above floor level. Janice Wotherspoon confirmed that Douglas Land Surveys had been instructed to carry out some further survey work to complete the topography information as part of the study. David Bruce has made the application for planning and Dalhousie Estates had been contacted to confirm that their land could incorporate the relief pipe. Dalhousie Estates has not provided written confirmation of their acceptance to this. Gill Reid to contact Dalhousie Estates. Councillor Myles stated that letters in support of the planning application could be sent to the planning authority and would be taken into account in the determination process. Walter Scott said that a Member Officer Group had been set up at Angus Council to deal with flooding issues. This group has approved the trial of property level protection for Edzell and the implementation of a 50% subsidy scheme from the Council. Main Meeting • Culvert cover work due to start 1st July • The potential exists for the BT exchange to flood with £3.5M equipment replacement costs. This would have an effect on the cost benefit analysis – JW to consider this • Dunlappie Road – list of property protection surveys to be reviewed as Peter George raised concerns about discrepancies that had been identified • Westminster update – Insurance will be provided for flooded properties until the end of July 2013 in line with current Central Government commitments • Andy Turnbull from the Golf Club to arrange for clearing of the burn at the GlenEsk Hotel • Peter George has cleared the burn at the Mart on 3 occasions recently. Mr Spence to arrange for clearance at the Mart site. • Mr Spence has plans to construct a new bridge at the site. If plans for this are submitted Angus Council will seek to influence the design of this structure. • A flood gauge has been installed on the burn • Angus Council to carry out a structural assessment on the existing pipe bridge over the Whishop Burn Fiona Work thanked Angus Council for attending the meeting and for creating a successful partnership with the Flood Group. Date of Next meeting – 5th August 2013 when the outputs from the Grontmij work will be discussed. Councillor Myles expressed his thanks to Fiona for all the hard work she has put in on behalf of the flood group and for chairing the meeting. Janice Wotherspoon 26/06/13
Posted on: Tue, 09 Jul 2013 12:18:49 +0000
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