Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Place Services.

(a)    That the approach to the flooding investigations set out in the report of 19 May 2026, including the use of Strategic Flood Investigations and Community Flood Reviews in accordance with the proposed framework, be approved.

(b)    That the areas for flooding investigations (at set out in Appendix A of the report), be approved, comprising:

a.      A Dorset-wide strategic overview report that looks at flooding issues in Dorset’s three main river catchment areas.

b.      Strategic/Detailed Flood Investigations in accordance with the proposed criteria described in this report.

c.      Community Flood Reviews where a Section 19 investigation is otherwise considered appropriate. 

(c)    That a capital budget of £5 million be allocated for flooding resilience measures, including but not limited to addressing the outcomes of Section 19 investigations; and

(d)    Authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Regeneration, Infrastructure and Growth, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place Services and the Section 151 Officer, to authorise expenditure from that capital budget, with any individual scheme with a value exceeding £500,000 to be reported to Cabinet for specific approval.

Reason for the decision

To fulfil Dorset Council’s statutory duty to investigate significant flooding while providing clear, localised guidance, coordinating partner action across catchments and highways, and targeting evidence‑based investment to strengthen flood resilience and secure additional funding.

The Cabinet Member for Place Services advised that the report outlined how Dorset Council was working with communities to learn from the significant flooding experienced during the winter of 2025-26 and to strengthen local resilience for the future.  A £9.25 million programme was underway, following the widespread disruption caused by exceptional rainfall, including Storm Chandra.

As the Lead Local Flood Authority, the Council proposed a clear approach to investigating flooding through strategic and community-level report. Working closely with residents and partners, this would focus on practical actions, immediate improvements and longer-term solutions to help communities better prepare for future challenges.

It was proposed by Cllr J Andrews and seconded by Cllr M Bell

Decision

(a)    That the approach to the flooding investigations set out in the report of 19 May 2026, including the use of Strategic Flood Investigations and Community Flood Reviews in accordance with the proposed framework, be approved.

(b)    That the areas for flooding investigations (at set out in Appendix A of the report), be approved, comprising:

a.      A Dorset-wide strategic overview report that looks at flooding issues in Dorset’s three main river catchment areas.

b.      Strategic/Detailed Flood Investigations in accordance with the proposed criteria described in this report.

c.      Community Flood Reviews where a Section 19 investigation is otherwise considered appropriate. 

(c)    That a capital budget of £5 million be allocated for flooding resilience measures, including but not limited to addressing the outcomes of Section 19 investigations; and

(d)    Authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Regeneration, Infrastructure and Growth, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place Services and the Section 151 Officer, to authorise expenditure from that capital budget, with any individual scheme with a value exceeding £500,000 to be reported to Cabinet for specific approval.

Reason for the decision

To fulfil Dorset Council’s statutory duty to investigate significant flooding while providing clear, localised guidance, coordinating partner action across catchments and highways, and targeting evidence‑based investment to strengthen flood resilience and secure additional funding.