Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) Board decisions 23 July 2021
A summary of what happened at the Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) Board meeting on 23 July 2021. Not every item on the agenda is covered. Only items that required decisions to be taken are featured below.
Item 3: Minutes of the SRA Board meeting on 5 March 2021
It was agreed that the minutes of the SRA Board Meeting held on 5 March 2021 should be signed as accurate with one amendment made to the list of attendees.
Item 7: 2020-21 Annual Report
As recommended, the SRA Board:
- Reviewed and commented on the draft SRA Annual Report 2020-21.
- Approved the publication of the SRA Annual Report 2020-21.
Item 9a: Key Project Updates
River Sowy – King’s Sedgemoor Drain (KSD)
As recommended, the SRA Board:
- Noted that consultation on the Addendum to the Environmental Statement is live until 1 August.
- Noted that Phase 1 channel works are scheduled to begin in early August soon after the Environmental Statement Addendum Consultation has closed.
- Noted the ongoing project risks and their mitigation strategies, which have the potential to delay some aspects of the planned works until mid to late summer, if they materialise.
Item 9b: Key Project Updates
River Brue Dredging
As recommended, the SRA Board:
- Noted the challenges in delivering dredging activity on the River Brue.
- Noted that the Axe Brue Internal Drainage Board are releasing a total of £279k of funds allocated to them for River Brue dredging back to the SRA.
- Ringfenced the £279k for future use on the River Brue once a suitable project and delivery partner is identified.
In addition, the SRA Chair recommended that a working group led by the SRA Senior Manager should prepare a ‘roadmap’ towards delivery of a suitable project and report on progress at a future meeting.
Item 11: Riparian Responsibilities
As recommended the SRA Board approved to submit the draft submission to the Law Commission who are considering the Riparian Responsibilities.
As recommended, the SRA Board:
- Reviewed and commented on the draft submission to the Law Commission about Riparian Responsibilities.
- Approved the sending by the SRA Chair (on behalf of the SRA Board) of an agreed submission to the Law Commission about Riparian Responsibilities.