The Clerk shall, each financial year, prepare estimates of income and expenditure for the ensuing financial year. Such estimates together with such summaries or reports as are necessary shall be submitted to the Board in order that the rates and special levies for the ensuing year may be determined.
The Clerk shall prepare a long term financial plan, a period of five years, to enable the Board to evaluate the financial position and make provision for a uniform rate to be levied.
The Chief Officers shall be authorised to incur expenditure included in the approved annual estimates without further reference to the Board.
Any head of expenditure, which exceeds the approved annual estimate, shall be required to be approved by the Board who may require a detailed statement in support of any additional expenditure. When it is desired to divert an estimate of expenditure to a purpose other than that for which it was approved the matter shall be considered and the consent of the Board obtained.
The Clerk shall be responsible for the supervision and the making and maintaining of adequate arrangements for:
i) the collection, custody, control, disposal and prompt and proper accounting of all the income of the Board.
ii) the financial organisation and accounting arrangements to ensure the proper recording of all sums due to the Board
All money received on behalf of the Board shall be deposited promptly with the Clerk
All official receipt forms, books, issue notes, order books and other documents representing money’s worth shall be ordered, controlled by the Clerk
Collectors shall maintain and promptly enter up in chronological order full and accurate details of the total money received each day into their charge on behalf of the Board, and details of the date and the extent to which the money collected and shall be banked not less than frequently than once a week. Bankings under £100 at the discretion of the Clerk.
All orders for goods or works shall be issued on the official order form, and details of the price and discount (if any) shall be inserted whenever known. Verbal orders shall also be accepted and shall be confirmed by a written note. The Clerk and District Officer shall be empowered to order goods or works up to a value of £500.
In excess of £500 confirmation of either the Chairman or Vice Chairman shall be sought.
All invoices, claims and accounts shall be checked and code to expenditure headings, such check being indicated by the initials or signature of examining officer, and shall be certified by or under the authority of the Clerk.
Payments of all accounts shall be made by the Clerk and a schedule of the accounts paid shall be submitted to the Board.
The Clerk shall undertake an examination of all cheques cleared through the Board’s bankers and Direct Debits and Standing orders, and shall arrange for the reconciliation of cash and bank accounts on a regular basis.
Committees or Sub-committees
11 The Board may appoint such Committees or Sub-Committees as they think fit but all acts of any Committee or Sub-Committee shall be subject to the approval of the Board unless the board has delegated its powers to that Committee or Sub-Committee to deal with a specific issue.
12 A Committee or Sub-Committee may elect a Chairman of their meetings. If no such Chairman is elected, or if he is not present, the members present shall choose one of their number to be Chairman of such meeting.
13 A Committee or Sub-Committee may meet and adjourn as they think proper. Proposals at any meeting shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members present. In the case of ant equal division of votes the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.
14 Regulations 9 and 10 shall apply to minutes of Committees and sub-Committees.
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Standing Orders
Order of Debate
15 Every proposal or amendment, other than a proposal for the approval of a Committee or Sub-Committee, shall be proposed and seconded and shall, be written out and handed to the Chairman who shall read it out before it is further discussed or put to the meeting.
16 The Chairman will invite members to speak on the subject under discussion.
17 Members must declare where they have an interest in a matter to be discussed, the Chairman then deciding what if any part the member can take in any ensuing discussion and whether the member can vote.
18 A proposal or amendment once made shall not be withdrawn without the consent of the Board.
19 Every amendment shall be relevant to the proposal to which it is applied.
20 Whenever an amendment upon an original resolution has been proposed and seconded, no second or subsequent amendment shall be moved until the first amendment shall have been dealt with, but notice of any number of amendments may be given.
21 If an amendment is rejected then other amendments may be proposed on the original resolution or proposal.
22 If an amendment is carried the proposal as amended shall take the place of the original proposal and shall become the question upon which any further amendment may be moved.
23 No proposal to rescind any resolution which has been passed within the preceding six months, nor any proposal to the same effect as any proposal which has been negatived within the preceding six months shall be in order unless: (a) notice thereof has been given and specified in the Agenda and (b) the notice bears, in addition to the name of the member who proposed the resolution, the names of two other members: and when such resolution or proposal has been disposed of by the Board, it shall not be competent for any member to propose a similar proposal within a further period of six months.
24 Order 23 shall not apply to proposals, which are moved, by the Chairman or other members of the Committee or Sub-Committee in the pursuance of the report of the Committee.
Common Seal
25 The Common seal of the Board shall be kept in some safe place. All deeds and other documents to which the Common Seal of the Board shall require to be affixed shall be sealed in pursuance of the Board, and in the presence of both the Chairman and the Clerk to the Board
26 Copies of all sealed documents must be retained
Suspension of Standing orders
27 Any one or more of the standing orders, in any case of urgency or upon resolution or proposal made on a notice duly given, may be suspended at any meeting, so far as regards any business at such meeting, provided that 75% of the members of the Board present and voting are in agreement.
Approved at Board meeting held on 25th May
I hereby inform you that the Feldale Internal Drainage Board has registered with the Information Commissioner under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to adopt and maintain a Publication scheme. This means that all members of the public are entitled to view information appertaining to the records of the Feldale Internal Drainage Board.
The Areas of information: -
- Policy Statement. (£)
- Board Membership.
- Board Meetings.
- Finance. (£)
- Works Undertaken. (£)
- Regulation. (£)
- Health and Safety.
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FELDALE INTERNAL DRAINAGE BOARD
Conservation Statement
INTRODUCTION
The Feldale Internal Drainage District covers 479 hectares and approximately 5500 metre length of drainage channels. The district contains many varied environments and conservation needs. The ecology and conservation needs vary and are considerable, this fact being recognised by the Board. Disused gravel workings increase the importance of Conservation as does the close proximity of the Bassenhally pits to the District boundary.
The Feldale I.D.B. Conservation Statement is an all embracing one and recognises the need for a positive move to identify and safeguard the existing nature conservation resource, assess proposed and future developments, and enhance the environment in relation to both maintenance and capital works carried out. The Board is committed, wherever possible, to adopt such a practice, where they are possible and economically viable and to comply with English Nature’s recommendations and legislative requirements. Only herbicides cleared for aquatic use will be used in or beside water. They will be used and stored in accordance with the appropriate Regulations.
WATER LEVEL MANAGEMENT
Wherever the principle of Water Level Management can be applied without putting at risk life or property it should be adopted with agreement of all interested parties.
CONSERVATION STRATEGY
To help attain enhancement of the environment in the carrying out of the Board's operations the following strategy will be adopted, taking into account the needs an views of the farming community and other landowners.
In view of the size of the Board an Internal Conservation Committee comprising of the Members of the Board's Work Committee will develop operational guidelines to be incorporated within the Board's work programmes to safeguard and enhance the existing Nature Conservation resources. Promote the enhancement of conservation interest and identify and assess areas of special interest. Consider alternative working and water level management practices which other Board's or conservation bodies may develop which could then be included within the maintenance/capital works programme.
STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS
Section 12 of the Land Drainage Act 1991 obliges the IDB's and Ministers to:
a) further the conservation and enhancement of natural beauty, consistent with any enactments relating to their functions;
b) further the conservation of wildlife and geological and physiographical features of special interest, consistent with any enactments relating to their functions;
c) have regard to the desirability of;
i) protecting and conserving buildings, sites and objects of archaeological, architectural or historical interest; and
ii) preserving public rights of access to areas of mountains, moor, heath, down cliff or foreshore and other places of natural beauty; and
d) take into account the affects of any proposals on the preservation of rights of access and on the beauty or amenity of an area, or on wildlife, features, buildings, sites or objects.
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POLICY STATEMENT ON FLOOD PROTECTION AND WATER LEVEL MANAGEMENT
1 INTRODUCTION
Purpose
1.1 This policy statement has been prepared by the Feldale Internal Drainage Board to provide a public statement of the Board’s approach to its management of flood risk and water levels in its area.
Background
1.2 The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have policy responsibility for flood and coastal defence in England. However, delivery is the responsibility of a number of flood and coastal defence “operating Authorities” which includes the Feldale Internal Drainage Board.
1.3 The Government has published a policy aim and three objectives for flood and coastal defence. To ensure a more certain delivery of aim and objectives by the individual operating authorities the Government has published a series of high-level targets. The first target requires each operating authority to publish a policy statement setting out their plans for delivering the Government’s policy aim and objectives in their area. This will include an assessment of the risk of flooding in their area, and what plans they have to reduce that risk.
1.4 This policy statement fulfils that requirement. Copies are available from the Board’s offices at 28 Thornham Way, Eastrea, Whittlesey, Cambs, PE7 2AS. We are also providing a copy to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Environment Agency and local authorities.
1.5 The Government’s policy aim is:
To reduce the risk to people and the developed and natural environment from flooding and coastal erosion by encouraging the provision of technically, environmentally and economically sound and sustainable defence measures.
1.6 The key objectives to achieve this aim are:
(a) To encourage the provision of adequate and cost effective flood warning systems.
b) To encourage the provision of adequate, economically, technically and environmentally sound and sustainable flood and coastal defence measures.
(c) To discourage inappropriate development in areas at risk from flooding and coastal erosion.
2 HOW THE BOARD WILL DELIVER THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY AIM AND OBJECTIVES.
Feldale Internal Drainage Board supports the Government aim and objectives for management of flood risk and water levels. Our policy and approach will be consistent with them as follows:
Objective (a): to encourage the provision of adequate and cost effective flood warning systems.
The Board will assist the Environment Agency wherever possible in its provision of adequate and cost effective flood warning systems, co-operate with the Agency in responses to flood emergencies and participate as necessary in exercises to develop and test emergency response procedures.
Objective (b): to encourage the provision of adequate economically, technically and environmentally sound and sustainable flood and coastal defence measures.
Within the drainage district potentially all the area is at some risk to flooding and the Board will seek to retain this risk at acceptable levels through appropriate improvements and the implementation of a sound maintenance strategy. They will seek to monitor the performance of the Environment Agency with regard to coastal and tidal river defence assist.
Work will be carried out in accordance with best practice and to deliver best value for money taking due regard of guidance available from MAFF, the Environment Agency and other organisations.
Regulate as necessary using the available powers the actions of others to ensure their works do not increase the flood risk.
Ensure that, where appropriate, riparian owners are aware of their responsibilities fro maintenance.
Play a positive role in fulfilling our statutory and other responsibilities for nature conservation, including achievement of the Governments environmental objections and targets. We acknowledge our responsibilities under the Land Drainage Acts of 1991 and 1994, The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the European Birds and Habitats Directives and the Conservation (Natural Habitats & C) regulations 1994.
Works will be carried out in accordance with the published Standard Maintenance Operations and we will seek to avoid wherever possible damage to environmental interest and aim to ensure no net loss to habitats covered by Biodiversity Action Plans and seek opportunities to enhance the aquatic environment.
Ensure that for those Water Level Management Plans where we are the leading operating authority we work in partnership with English Nature to complete, implement where appropriate, and review Plans in accordance with MAFF guidance on plan completion and the timetables set out in the High Level Targets.
Co-operate with other bodies and make input to the development of Shoreline Management Plans, Coastal Habitat Plans and Local Environmental Agency Plans.
Objective ©: To discourage inappropriate development in areas at risk from flooding and coastal erosion.
The potential impact on flood risk through future development in the Drainage District is fully recognised by the Board and it will take an active role in the assessment of structure planning, local plans and individual applications to ensure flood risk is not increased. These matters will be taken in conjunction with the Middle Level Commissioners who act on behalf of the Board in planning matters. Where appropriate the Board will secure from Developers contributions to cover the cost of both immediate and longer-term works necessary in ensuring that any potential increase in flood risk can be removed. Such contribution will be recorded in accordance with DETR.MAFF Circular (successor to 30/92)
3 FLOODING RISKS IN THE BOARD’S DISTRICT
As mentioned in Section 2, the entire drainage district is at some risk to flooding but that risk is substantially controlled but some variation in the standards of protection will apply. The following are the key details of the District.
Catchment Area drainage to and including the District 525 ha
Total area of the District 479 ha
Area of Agricultural Land 458 ha
Other land including property, highways, etc 21 ha
Sites of Designated Environmental Interest
Nene Washlands adjacent to District RSPB Nature reserve 21 ha
3.1 Assets for which the Board has operating authority responsibility are shown on the attached map and comprise: -
Pumping Stations 1 No
Other Water Level Control Structures 0 No
Watercourses 5.51 km
*Critical Watercourses 0 km
*Critical watercourses are those from which over spilling will put at risk of flooding a significant number of people and properties. Against clear criteria the above length has been agreed with the Environment Agency.
Passing through or adjacent to the District are the following assets maintained by the Environment Agency
Main rivers 2.85 km
Embankment – South Barrier Bank 2.85 km
3.2 Regulation of Activities
The Board will exercise as required its powers under the Land Drainage Act 1991 and its Byelaws to ensure that activities in and alongside its drainage system do not reduce flood protection standards and unnecessarily increase flood risk.
This section sets out the Board’s assessment of flood risk taking into account the following:
Assets in place considering design standard and life
Environment Agency flood risk maps
Other information such as the history of flooding and land use impacts
Standard of Protection
Through the operation and maintenance of the pumping stations and the channel system the Board seek to maintain a general standard capable of providing flood protection to agricultural land and developed areas of 1 in 20 and 1 in 100 years respectively. This likely return period cannot be taken literally and should be considered as a chance of some overspilling from the system taking place each year as being 5% and 1% respectively.
3.4 Management of Flood Risks
The Board monitor the condition of its pumping stations and watercourses, even those not designated as critical, over spilling from which could affect property. Consistent with the Established need a routine maintenance programme is in place to ensure that the condition of the assist is commensurate with standards of protection, which are sought. Where standards are not at the policy level improvement works where they can be demonstrated to meet with MAFF criteria, will be considered and undertaken as appropriate.
The Board welcome from its agricultural ratepayers, special levy councils and members of the public any comments on the condition of its system, which could lead to any increased flood, risk.
3.6 Publicity
The Board will seek to promote the need for works in its District and create an understanding among people who live and work in it as to what the flood risk is and the efforts made to control it. They will also seek to achieve directly and through local councils a culture within which the watercourses are seen as vital to controlling flood risk, whilst providing an interesting aquatic habitat and dissuade abuse of them through dumping waste or obstructing flows in other ways. The Board will publish its proposed annual programme of capital and maintenance work through newsletters and membership.
4 ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES
The Feldale Internal Drainage Board has nature conservation duties under the Land Drainage Acts 1991 & 1994, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and as a competent authority under the Conservation (Natural Habitats C) Regulations 1994.
Much of the Boards watercourse maintenance work of vegetation control and de-silting is a vital and routine requirement. Whilst inevitably some short-term impact will arise, this management is essential also to maintain the diverse aquatic habitat in the district. The Board maintain only a small proportion of the total watercourse length in the district, the significant
