On 25 June 2019, the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee subsequently resolved to;
(a) ask the relevant Cabinet Member to
(i) where appropriate, to write to Landowners to prompt them and their tenants to undertake their duties regarding maintenance and drainage adjacent to the highway;
In February 2020, Devon County Council wrote to Parish Councils telling them of this change with regards to drainage responsibilities.
By parish, how many letters were sent out to Landowners? How were the “appropriate” landowners identified and contacted?
Given the intervention of Covid during this period, how did Devon Council Council ensure that landowners were informed of this change of policy?
What impact assessment was done prior to this change of policy? Please supply a copy.
With regards to all questions above, please see the following previous Freedom of Information request Cleaning and Maintenance of Drainage Ditches:
There has been no change in policy regarding cleaning and maintenance of drainage ditches to necessitate informing landowners or the undertaking of an impact assessment.
Landowners are contacted when an issue with water on the highway is reported, and the issue can be resolved by cleaning of a drainage ditch.