Purpose

To explain the reasons needed to improve the
ability to lower the water level, at the reservoir, in accordance
with Environment Agency guidance, should an emergency situation
arise and seeking for approval to draw down the money from the
development pool and receive delegated authority to procure the
works

Content

RESOLVED
 
KEY DECISION
 

That the Executive:
 

a)        
Approved the delivery of the reservoir drawdown
capital works to comply with the EA guidance on drawdown capacity
at Sywell Country Park Reservoir.

 

b)        
Noted the request contained in the Capital Programme
2025-2029 to Full Council on 20th February 2025 for
budget approval for the scheme totalling
£1,180,000.

 

c)         
Approved commencement of the procurement process as
outlined in the report.

 

d)        
Delegated authority to the Assistant Director of
Assets & Environment, in consultation with the Executive Member
for Climate and the Green Environment, to take all necessary
actions to deliver the project, including awarding of the contract
and placing the works.
 

 
Reasons for
Recommendations:
 
·      
Installation of a siphon will provide the necessary
drawdown capacity required for a Flood Category A dam and provide
improved protection to park users and the wider
community.
·      
Completing the works ahead of September 2026 will
allow the MIOS Action plan to be signed off and remove the risk of
enforcement action being taken by the EA.
·      
Address other minor recommendations around safety
picked up in the supervising engineers report and
operators.

 
Alternative Options
Considered:
 
·      
Stillwater Associates carried out an options
feasibility study included at 
Appendix A detailing all options considered to address the drawdown
capacity deficiency. Most of the options were discounted due to the
cost, technical reasons, or impact on the Country
Park. 
·      
Doing  nothing is not
available as the drawdown assessment identifies that the reservoir
does not comply with Environment Agency guidance on lowering water
in emergency situations.  As a result,
the Council have signed up to an action plan with the Environment
Agency, for the MIOS, to increase the drawdown capacity.