The Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Committee are scheduled to meet to discuss the Knaresborough Flood Report, Knaresborough Market devolution, and to receive an update from the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire. Councillors will also review the committee's work programme.

Knaresborough Flood Report

The committee is scheduled to discuss the findings and recommendations of the Section 19 Investigation Report on the 6 May 2024 Flood Event in Knaresborough. Section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 requires Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFA's) to investigate flooding incidents.

The report includes several recommendations, including:

• The LLFA to assess the potential for property level resilience in areas at risk of repeated events, subject to funding eligibility.
• All risk management authorities to continue responsive service within the Knaresborough area.
• Yorkshire Water to consider options to manage the frequency and impact of surcharging of foul drainage on Park Avenue.
• Yorkshire Water to continue the development of their Development and Wastewater Management Plans (DWMP).
• Yorkshire Water and North Yorkshire Council to work together to separate surface water and foul drainage by promoting the use of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) to reduce the impacts on flooding.
• All risk management authorities to work with communities to encourage and promote improved levels of resilience.

The report notes that on 6 May 2024, over 50 homes and businesses were flooded during a severe localised weather event in Knaresborough. The report estimates that approximately 54mm of rainfall fell within a 35 minute period, exceeding the average May monthly rainfall total of 43mm in half an hour, with an equivalent storm intensity return period of 516 years.

The report also addresses concerns raised by the community regarding the condition of drainage networks, new housing developments, and the use of historical soakaway drainage¹. The report identifies Park Avenue, Orchard Close and Halfpenny Lane, St Margaret's Gardens, and Queen's Road, Dentdale Drive and Lundale Avenue as areas of concern.

The report concludes that the storm return period was estimated to be in the region of 1 in 516 years, and that the drainage networks could not handle the exceptional amount of surface water in such a short time span.

Knaresborough Market Devolution

The committee is scheduled to receive an update report regarding the potential devolution of Knaresborough Market to Knaresborough Town Council. The committee will be asked to provide feedback, in advance of an expected decision to be taken by the Executive in 2025.

Attendance of the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire

The committee is scheduled to receive an update and hold a discussion with Mayor David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority. He is expected to discuss the role of the MCA², economic development, and projects in the Harrogate and Knaresborough area.

Committee Work Programme

The committee is scheduled to review its work programme, including progress on issues raised and actions from previous meetings, items for forthcoming committee meetings, future items of work, working group activity, and a record of informal and virtual Area Committee sessions.

The work programme lists a number of future items of work, including:

• Harrogate Station Gateway Scheme Update
• Waste Collections in Harrogate
• Knaresborough Neighbourhood Plan
• Air Quality in Harrogate
• Public Transport Functions
• Parks and Open Spaces Update
• Development of the Harrogate Care and Support Hub
• Harrogate and Knaresborough Youth Councils
• Annual School Update Report
• Resilience and Emergencies Briefing
• Localities Service Update
• Active Travel and Cycle Schemes
• Update from Harrogate BID
• Update on Beyond Carbon

The committee also has three working groups: Harrogate Station Gateway Working Group, Housing Liaison Working Group and Climate Change Working Group.