Issue - meetings

The Committee considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Green City and Net Zero providing the Committee with a requested update on progress implementing agreed recommendations from the River Itchen Scrutiny Inquiry.

Councillor Savage - Cabinet Member for Green City and Net Zero, Ian Collins – Environment Director, and Lindsay McCulloch - Service Manager for Environment and Sustainability were present and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.

The Committee raised and discussed the following points:

• The progress made implementing the approved recommendations to date, including referencing the limited responses within the report to a number of the recommendations and the lack of action against others.
• The importance of the River Itchen Flood Alleviation Scheme (RIFAS) to the growth and prosperity of the city and concerns relating to the funds available to deliver the project in full.
• The continued challenges relating to water quality and the importance of SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems).
• Community engagement and future full membership of the Solent Forum.
• Ongoing issues with regards negative impacts to wildlife, recreational and commercial activities on and around the river.

RESOLVED that,

i)  To enable the Committee to hold the Executive to account for the implementation of the approved recommendations within the scrutiny inquiry report, the Chair and Scrutiny Manager arrange for the item to return to the Committee in 2024/25 with a further update on progress across the full range of issues raised by the inquiry.

ii)  In recognition of the importance of the scheme, the Committee requested that an update report on The River Itchen Flood Alleviation Scheme (RIFAS) is considered by the Committee at a future date.