Agenda item

The Council welcomes engagement from members of the public. To speak at this meeting please register no later than 24 hours prior to the date of the meeting via democracy@southkesteven.gov.uk

Ms Anne Gayfer – Question to the Committee, in relation to extreme weather events:

“Every week, every day, we hear of or experience more and more severe weather events.  A couple of weeks ago we were hit by a weather bomb - our normal weather squashed up into a few hours, causing high winds and heavy rain.

The impact is unpredictable and that severe weather event flooded much on Grantham and its approaches.  The town and flood plains were flooded, the A1 in a couple of places, the A52, Boston to Derby Road and the A607, Melton Road.

This situation will not improve.

So what can we do?  Firstly, we simply cannot continue to build on greenfield. The proposed Price William Barracks site and the Southern Quadrant would be built on land that is already bursting with water.  To build there would exacerbate run off into the Witham at Saltersford and Bridgend Road, increasing the flood risk to the town and turning the Eatch Estate, the Saltersford Estate into rivers and worsening the already critical flooding on Bridgend Road and the bottom of Somerby Hill.

Secondly, we must focus on greening our town, more trees, swales, less tidying of grass and cutting, green roofs and walls.  This would not only slow down water, but increase pollinators, keep the temperature stable and absorb air pollution.  Other councils do it!

In the world’s largest survey over 50% of people are more worried about climate change than they were last year.  We need leadership, but the old model of leadership isn’t working for this problem.

What does the leadership propose to do?”

The Leader of the Council thanked Ms Gayfer for her question and offered the following response:

-       The Leader stated that the Climate Reserve Fund had increased from £30,000 under the previous administration to £500,000 in the 2025/26 Budget.

-       Whilst the Leader did concede that South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) were mandated by central Government to increase the annual housebuilding targets from 600 to 900, SKDC had also employed two dedicated Tree Officers to oversee and improve the record of SKDC’s tree management and protection.

MsGayfer acknowledged the Leaders response but urged Members to pursue bolder measures to create a more resilient Local Plan. 

Ms Joanna Hayges – Question to the Committee, regarding her experience as a resident of Belton Lane, Grantham during the January 2025 flooding:

MsHayges explained that the flood water approached her property from the lower banks of Wyndham Park to Hill Avenue, across the public park, highway, pavement and towards the flood wall at the bottom of Ms Hayges’ garden.

On the day of January 6^th, when the flooding of Ms Hayges property occurred, Ms Hayges recalled an SKDC van driving through the flood water which momentarily exacerbated the water level towards the property. It was noted that the van did not stop to assist. Furthermore, Ms Hayges voiced her frustration that a central location was not facilitated by SKDC offering warm drinks and blankets as a refuge from standing in the water, and that sandbags were not offered to residents quickly enough.

MsHayges noted that Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) had previously been made aware that the path between the banks of the Whitebridge and Belton Lane Bridge were flooded after every downpour.

The personal impact of the flooding on Ms Hayges has been anxiety and other health issues, as well as family pets having to be temporarily rehomed. As a result of the recent flooding, Ms Hayges noted that she would not be able to secure flood cover on any subsequent insurance and have lost their no-claims bonus.

Following the events of the flooding, Ms Hayges confirmed that SKDC had offered a month’s free council tax and 75% to pay for X amount of months to follow.

MsHayges concluded by asking the Committee, ‘How are you going to help us as residents to protect our properties, but more deeply, our lives?’

The Leader expressed sympathy with Ms Hayges situation and offered to speak to the Council Tax Team regarding the offer of a month’s free council tax to see what other resolution can be sought in order to support. Furthermore, the Leader confirmed that SKDC would act upon the findings of the Section 19 report produced by LCC to seek to prevent such an instance from happening to the property again.

The Emergency Planning and Health & Safety Lead outlined that the response from SKDC regarding Belton Lane had been coordinated on the information received that all but one family had left Belton Lane and the remaining family had declined temporary accommodation.

A Member confirmed that contingency planning for local emergencies would fall under the remit of the newly formed Town Council going forward, particularly for aspects such as facilitating a central refuge location as Ms Hayges suggested.

The Public Speakers item concluded and the Emergency Planning and Health & Safety Lead left the Chamber to speak further with Ms Hayges and other Members of the public in attendance regarding the flooding response.