Flood Liaison Group
Thursday 13 March 2014 6.00 pm
ROYAL BOROUGH FLOOD FORUM
13th MARCH 2014
18.00 TOWN HALL MAIDENHEAD
MINUTES
| Present |  |
| Cllr Jesse Grey (Chair) | Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead Councillor |
| Cllr Malcom Beer | Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead Councillor |
| Cllr Richard Kellaway | Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead Councillor |
| David Perkins | Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead |
| Harry Clasper | Chair of Parish Flood Liaison Group |
| Fiona Hewer | Parish Flood Liaison Group |
| Ian Thompson | Parish Flood Liaison Group |
| Ewan Larcombe | Parish Flood Liaison Group |
| David Burfitt | Parish Flood Liaison Group |
| Andrew Davies | Parish Flood Liaison Group |
| Mike Piotrowski | Environment Agency |
| Graham Croucher | Environment Agency |
| Sarah Bowbrick | Environment Agency |
| Jeanne Capey | Environment Agency |
| Anthony Crawford | Thames Water |
| Bob Cunningham | Thames Water |
| Jevan Laxen | Thames Water |
| Hilary Murgatroyd | Thames Water |
| Gillie Bolton | Thames Awash |
| ITEM | DESCRIPTION | ACTION |
| Welcome & Introductions | |
| JG welcomed everyone to the Town Hall at Maidenhead and asked everyone to introduce themselves. | |
| | |
| 1 | Apologies | |
| Eric Livingstone RBWM Simon Lavin RBWM Cllr John Lenton RBWM | |
| | |
| 2 | Minutes of Previous Meeting (Accuracy) | |
| Agreed as a true record. | |
| Actions from previous meeting | |
| Point 5.5 - Being addressed as part of the recent flooding Point 6.1 - EA have now resolved the blockage. Point 7.1 - Meeting will be scheduled for January 2015 rather than December 2014. Point 8.1 - Now corrected | |
| 3 | Update from RBWM | |
| | |
| 4 | Update from Environment Agency on January / February Flood Event | |
| Jeanne Capey (supported by Sarah Bowbrick) gave a presentation on the recent floods. The presentation will be circulated with the minutes. Issues raised:
Gillie Bolton asked why did the river rise by 3” in 15 minutes after JR gate movements? Jesse Grey said that such data should be verified independently. David Burfitt asked why does the telemetry not work? Richard Kellaway (RK) asked whether basements are included in the number of properties identified by the EA has having been flooded? RK asked about the “Bisham Study” included in the presentation. It was agreed the EA would meet RK and discuss further. Gillie Bolton asked the EA where they publicise that residents should inform them if they have been flooded? AD asked will the EA undertake an inspection of the flood defences, and if so when? AD asked if the EA will be making recommendations in regard to the demountable defences used recently? Fiona Hewer (FH) (on behalf of Bisham Parish Council asked the EA to contact Mandy Brown the Parish Clerk about a problem with a local bridge. FH said she was concerned about the clearance of local enmained watercourses by the EA. IT requested a multi agency group be set up to explore options in Datchet. Gillie Bolton asked for an update on grants available, DP provided details. | |
| 5 | Update from Thames Water on January / February Flood Event | |
| Jevan Laxen (JL) gave an update on where Thames Water (TW) were currently including an overview of the impact of flooding on their infrastructure. Issues raised:
JG said there was an impression that there was a capacity problem and if so what is the long term plan to address this? JL said the system was not designed to be watertight and when flood water gets into the system it ceases to function. There is an ongoing 5 year plan to undertake larger scales works and improvements. JG asked whether TW has identified vulnerable areas. TW said yes and they will use this information to drive future funding. FH asked if there had been problems with Little Marlow pumping station? TW no as protection had been put in place. RK asked what happens when the system is inundated. TW said pumps and tankers are an option if appropriate to save a property. Gillie Bolton asked what are TW doing about problems at Ham Island and would they provide portaloos in future? TW said there will be a comprehensive review of Ham Island and TW would support the Council in supplying portaloos via their contractor. DB asked if pumps are turned off when inundated as locals believe they stay on? TW said they do remain on so they may keep pumping. MB suggested sealing all foul drains. TW agreed a good idea but can’t as properties built before 1930 would need to be 100% compliant in order for this to be effective. AD said better information was needed for parish councils. | |
| 6 | Parish Flood Group Update | |
| Harry Clasper said the Parish Flood Liaison Group met in February. The key issued raised were:
The Group were concerned that there was no dedicated Emergency Planning Officer at the Council and the absence was noticeable during the floods. Concerns that the River Thames scheme had stalled because of funding FH asked for an update on the Cookham website. DP confirmed RBWM have now received the agreement from the EA so he will progress matters with the EA and the Councils IT team. This should hopefully now be completed shortly. | |
| 7 | Future Meetings | |
| Dates for the coming year will be agreed shortly however it was requested that the next meeting be held in May rather than June. | |
| 8 | Any Other Business | |
| Ian Thompson submitted a report containing 7 flood defence options (to be circulated with the minutes). JG agreed to pass this to the EA for comment. | |