Apologies were received from Councillor Alex Hall.

At this point in the Meeting, Members were invited to declare any relevant interests.  None were received.

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 27th February 2025.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 27 February 2025 were agreed as a correct record.

Actions from the previous Meeting(s).

The actions were noted as complete or in hand.

No updates had been received from the Environment Agency, however it was expected that information would be received in the near future.

To receive a report.

The Chairman welcomed Helen Todd, Humber Strategic Manager from the Environment Agency (EA) to provide Members with an update on the Humber 2100+ Infrastructure Project.

Members received a presentation, and the key considerations related to the project were highlighted as follows:

• Humber context
• How tidal risk was managed currently
• Objectives and the steps involved
• Sustainability Appraisal
• Implications statements

A copy of the presentation is attached as Appendix A to the Minutes.

Members were also referred to the Step 1 Endorsement Report, pages 31 to 38 of the agenda refer.

Members were invited to put their comments and questions forward.

• Following a query with regards to whether Members were being asked to endorse the contents of the report or just note them, the Chairman advised that the report presented was for noting, however requested that Committee considered giving their agreement to support the Step 1 Endorsement report contained within.

• In response to a query on the financial cost and the carbon cost and its calculation, the Humber Strategic Manager explained that there were many mechanisms in place to establish the financial cost and that they were now developing a similar methodology for carbon cost which would be based on the emerging and tried and tested methods.

Members were further informed that there was a carbon burden and with that associated financial costs with that burden for decarbonisation. 

• Referring to page 34 of the report, a Member queried if figures were available that related to providing defence improvements.  Helen Todd advised Members that these were at a strategic level and the costs would need to be built up, however there were spreadsheets with costings detailed that could be shared with Members.  The Principal Planning Policy Consultant agreed to circulate the costs information to Members.

• A Member queried whether the outcome and integrity of a project would be compromised with the carbon cost.  The Humber Strategic Manager explained that the carbon consideration was moving at a fast pace, however the EA was already using the most innovative and cost effective way of investing to balance the financial and carbon cost and different factors were continually being considered to build the case.

• In response to a query from a Member regarding the methodology of flood risk and whether it was used by other countries around the world, the Humber Strategic Manager advised that the EA followed the government’s DEFRA policy which would be similar to government policy in other countries.  Members were further advised that the Environment Agency had links with other countries and had worked very closely with colleagues in Belgium and Holland over the years to share their knowledge.

• The Chairman commented that the Dutch flood defences were interesting, and it would be very useful for the Committee to go and see them at Camperdown.  He further commented that the Humber Strategy had been in existence for 25 years and was still at the Step 1 Endorsement Report stage.  He considered that there was a lot to learn from the Humber Strategy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

The date of the next Meeting was confirmed as Thursday 15 May 2025 commencing at 6.00pm.