Agenda item

(A Report by Christian Allen, Assistant Director – Regulatory)

The Committee received a detailed update from the Assistant Director – Regulatory on the statutory Section 19 Flooding Investigation Report commissioned by Lincolnshire County Council (LCC), in its role as Lead Local Flood Authority, and prepared by GeoSmart Information Ltd. The report related to the flooding incident that occurred in Boston in the early hours of 6^th January 2025, which resulted in internal flooding to 38 residential properties on Wyberton West Road and Park Road.

Members were advised that the flooding was caused by a combination of factors, including:

·         Intense rainfall and snowmelt across the Black Sluice catchment.

·         Tidal locking, which prevented discharge from the South Forty Foot Drain into the Haven.

·         Overtopping of two low wall sections along the southern bank of the South Forty Foot Drain.

·         The decommissioning of the Black Sluice Pumping Station.

·         Operational issues with sluice gates at the Black Sluice complex; and

·         Settlement and joint failures in flood defence structures.

The Assistant Director explained that Lincolnshire County Council, as Lead Local Flood Authority, had a statutory duty to investigate the incident under Section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. However, the Risk Management Authorities (RMAs) identified in the report—namely the Environment Agency, Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board, and Lincolnshire County Council—were not under any legal obligation to implement the recommendations. GeoSmart Information Ltd had been appointed by LCC to undertake the investigation and produce a document, which was attached as Appendix A within the report.

The Committee was informed that the Joint Lincolnshire Flood Risk and Water Management Partnership had an informal role in monitoring delivery of recommendations but lacked enforcement powers. This presented a challenge for the Council in seeking assurance that appropriate action would be taken to reduce future flood risk.

The Assistant Director recommended that the Committee adopt a stepped approach, beginning with an invitation to the RMAs to attend a future meeting and explain their response to the report’s findings and recommendations. If this did not provide sufficient reassurance, the Committee could escalate the matter through Cabinet and onward to the County Council’s scrutiny arrangements, which do have powers to scrutinise the exercise of flood risk management functions.

The Committee was advised that the report included six recommendations, covering both strategic and property-level resilience measures. These included:

• Installation of flood resistance and resilience measures at affected properties.
• Development of a community flood action plan.
• Review and update of hydraulic modelling for the South Forty Foot Drain.
• Improvements to the flood warning service for the area.
• Review of operational procedures for flood defence assets.
• Raising of the low wall sections to prevent future overtopping.

The Assistant Director confirmed that the report had been amended following feedback from the Environment Agency and Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board, and that the final version had been issued on 30 July 2025.

Members were invited to consider how the Committee could use its scrutiny functions to ensure that the RMAs delivered on the recommendations and provided reassurance to residents affected by the flooding.

During discussion, Members expressed concern regarding the lack of accountability and assurance that RMAs would act on the recommendations set out in the Section 19 Flooding Investigation Report. The Committee supported an escalatory approach, whereby the Committee would first invite the relevant RMAs — namely the Environment Agency, Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board, and Lincolnshire County Council — would be invited to attend a future meeting to explain their response. It was agreed that this would enable the Committee to build its understanding before considering any formal recommendations to Cabinet or the Lead Local Flood Authority.

Members highlighted the emotional and practical impact of the flooding on residents, noting that many had experienced significant distress and disruption. The discretionary grant scheme offered by the Council was discussed, with clarification provided that 24 of the 38 eligible households had applied. Members acknowledged the Council’s visible role in the recovery effort and noted that public perception had unfairly placed blame on the authority, despite its limited responsibility for flood infrastructure.

Concerns were raised about the adequacy of flood modelling, particularly in relation to tidal conditions, and the lack of clarity around the installation of new lock gates at the docks. The Assistant Director confirmed that the flooding event under discussion was unrelated to the Boston Barrier or lock gates but offered to facilitate a future Members’ Briefing on the lock gate project if required.

The Committee agreed that questions for the invited RMAs should be prepared and shared in advance to enable meaningful scrutiny. It was further suggested that residents be invited to submit questions via Members to ensure their concerns were represented.

Members discussed the broader implications of flood risk across the borough, including the potential for similar incidents in other areas. Reference was made to structural changes at County level, including the dissolution of the dedicated flooding committee, and the need to maintain pressure on RMAs to prioritise flood resilience. It was noted that one recommendation had already been actioned, with the introduction of a new flood warning service for the affected area.

Resolved:

1.    That the contents of the Section 19 Flooding Investigation Report relating to the flooding incident at Wyberton West Road and Park Road, Boston be noted.

2.    That a stepped approach to scrutiny be agreed, beginning with an invitation to the relevant Risk Management Authorities—namely the Environment Agency, Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board, and Lincolnshire County Council—to attend a future meeting to explain their response to the report’s recommendations.

3.    That Members be requested to submit questions in advance of the meeting to enable meaningful scrutiny, and that Members invite affected residents to contribute questions via their ward councillors.

4.    That, subject to the outcome of engagement with the Risk Management Authorities, the Committee consider making formal recommendations to Cabinet and/or the Lead Local Flood Authority to seek further assurance and action; and

5.    That officers be requested to explore the status of the lock gate installation project at the docks and, if appropriate, arrange a future Members’ Briefing to provide an update.