To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Richard Kellaway.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

(5 mins).

Members of the Flood Liaison Group wanted clarification on the Terms of Reference for the Group and to have it confirmed who the Parish Council representatives could be. The chairman stated he would request the Lead Member to clarify who the representatives should be and would bring a definitive answer back to the Flood Liaison Group.

RESOLVED: That the Part I minutes of the meeting held on 15 February 2016 be approved.

Ø  Update on River Thames Scheme

Ø  Update on Middle Thames Flood Alleviation Schemes

Ø  Update on Marlow Flood Alleviation Scheme

Ø  Update on issues on Roundmoor Ditch, Boveney Ditch and common Ditch

Ø  Progress on reinstatement of flood defence bund at Southlea Road

(20 mins)

Update on Ricer Thames Scheme

·        Scott Salmon has undertaken a lot of work on community resilience in the Borough and has undertaken some training in the Wraysbury and Cookham areas. He has also ran training sessions with Age Concern in Wraysbury to ensure all the residents were aware of the risks.

·        Fish surveys were planned in spring and summer 2016 on the lakes affected by the diversion channels.

·        Three drop in sessions have been held relating to the proposed capacity improvements on the downstream weirs (Sunbury, Molesey and Teddington)

·        Samina Khan has been appointed as Programme Director and the Chairman has asked her to come and meet people when she was settled in.

Update on Middle Thames Plan

·         No change on the preparation of this plan

·         Information was still being gathered

·         Thames Water have been providing information

·        The EA plan to hold sessions where they will meet affected communities and plan to be proactive in their engagement with relevant organisations and communities.

Update on Marlow Flood Alleviation Scheme

·        Work on this scheme continues

·         Stillworking to the same timescales

Update on issues on Roundmoor Ditch, Boveney Ditch and Common Ditch

·        Simon Lavin confirmed he would seek an update from Craig Miller on the Eton Wick Flood Forum.

Progress on reinstatement of flood defence bund at Southlea Road

·        It is planned to removethe 1 ton sandbags, placed to support the brick wall during the flood event, on 19 April 2016 and the brick wall will then be inspected to see if it is safe. If so the temporary fencing currently in place will be removed.

·        The landowner does not appear to be interested in reinstating the bund, within their property, as they know the offtake to channel 1 of the River Thames Scheme is planned to be located in close proximity 

·         There are two bunds, one by the river and one set back that have been removed.

The Chairman commented that Ian Tomes gave assurances that if needed, he could arrange for temporary defences to be deployed. He has however since left the EA’s employment. Further assurances were now needed from the EA. The EA stated that the deployment of temporary defences at this location was still being reviewed.

The EA stated that they are looking at how they deploy temporary defences and tailor their responses to conditions along the Thames. The EA confirmed that they would share their thinking with Parish Councils and other interested parties.

Harry Clasper asked for advice from the EA on flood zones and their interface with neighbourhood plans.

Ø  Flood risk prioritisation and identification of synergies for partnership working

Ø  Bin it, don’t block it campaign

Ø  Ham Island

Ø  Little Marlow STW

Ø  Slough STW

Ø  Update on any recent significant operational issues

(20 mins)

Flood risk prioritisation and identification of synergies for partnership working

·        TW were working on their strategy and developing their next business plan covering 2020 – 2025

·        Over the next five years, TW’s Twenty 4 Twenty initiative will see at least 20 hectares of hard, impermeable surfaces – an area equivalent to 30 football pitches – transformed into sustainable drainage projects, slowing rain water down before it enters the sewers or letting it drain away naturally into the ground. By easing pressure on the sewer network, the work will help reduce the risk of sewer flooding and pollution following heavy rainfall. TW felt it was good to use this forum to identify needs.

·        TW are alsolooking at a wider programme of work with all partners such as the EA

·        TW want to explore joint funding of schemes, if allowed by OFWAT, and are looking to obtain information from partners. They may be able to invest in schemes with partners that may be too expensive to carry out alone.

·        A number of hotspots have been identified that would not generate sufficient benefits to warrant the necessary investment. TW are therefore looking at areas where smarter solutions could be implemented.

·         TW will be contacting Parish Councils and will be more proactive in seeking their input.

·         TW will meet with flood risk managers at the Local Authority. This will take time and they will feedback to Parish councils.

·         TW had £20m investment for 2015-2020 and had identified areas of surface water flooding to be addressed in Swindon.

·        Sustainable drainage measures had been adopted in London, with surface water runoff being diverted into park land. The park floods and then slowly feeds water into the surface water drainage system. This has saved residential areas from surface water flooding.

Bin it, don’t block it

·         TW had a campaign running from mid March 2016 with posters and letters going to all residents and adverts going in the local press encouraging people not to dispose of materials likely to cause blockages of the sewer system down their sinks and toilets.

·         By not disposing of such materials down sinks and toilets, it can save many man hours and keeps the sewers clear and free flowing.

·         Residents received a box so they can dispose of fat and oil safely and not down the sink.

·         TW will look at combining waste with recycling of food waste.

·         An extra print run was being done so Parish Councils or visitor centres could have the leaflets too.

Little Marlow STW

·         With the Flood Liaison Group seeking to operate at a more strategic level it was decided to remove this update from the agenda.

·         TWnow has a rolling programme of works at this treatment works and members can request an update at any time if they want to.

Ham Island

·         Only routine works being undertaken.

·         Investigations at the bridge are ongoing and the road was closed last night to allow an inspection to be undertaken. Strengthening works are planned later in the year  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

Ø  Future of Flood Liaison Group

Ø  Update on Capital Programme

(15 mins).

Future of Flood Liaison Group

·        TheTerms of Reference stated that the Parish Flood Liaison group (PFLG) should meet two weeks prior to the Borough’s Flood Liaison Group to allow matters to be raised to be added to the agenda.

·         This was to try and increase transparency.

·         It is a public meeting and the public are welcome to attend and speak but, they needed to register to speak first.

Update on Capital Programme

·         £150k on highway drainage

·         £150k on flood risk management

·         £50k to develop a register of structure and feature

·         £20k preparation for preliminary flood risk assessment

·         £100k replacement of highway drainage system at Waltham Road (near Grove Park business Estate)

·         The above figures went to Cabinet in February 2016 with the proposal to consult with Ward Councillors.

·         The proposal will go back to Cabinet on 20 May 2016

Simon Lavin stated that the Flood Re scheme had been launched. This is a joint government / insurance industry initiative aimed at improving the availability and affordability of flood insurance to those who own and live in properties in flood risk areas. Various posters are available and Simon could provide a link to the Flood Re website so people could print off copies of the posters. He added he would talk to the Communications Team at the Borough and discuss how the scheme could be publicised.

There was a brief update on the Wraysbury Drain works and Simon indicated that there were still some works to be done near the dive centre.

With regards to the proposed culvert works at Shepherds Lane, Hurley, Simon stated that he would need to seek an update from the schemes project manager.

To receive an update from the Parish Flood Group.

(20 mins).

The Parishes requested information on who to contact in case of emergency. Simon Lavin confirmed he would speak to Craig miller and get confirmation.

Fiona Hewer stated Cookham had held flood hub training for Parish councillors and residents in the event of a flood and it had been a very useful exercise. They published what they did on the Parish Council blog spot. It was training to enable Parish Councillors to carry out administrative tasks and how to work with other agencies. They recommended the training to other Parishes. Similar exercises are planned in Old Windsor and Datchet.

To discuss any actions from the previous meeting.

(15 mins).

The following actions are outstanding

Environment Agency to arrange a meeting with representatives of Bisham Parish Council

when the Marlow Flood Alleviation Scheme starts to move forward.

Environment Agency to provide an update on likely completion date of the assessment of

eligibility for inclusion in the Bisham Property Level Products Scheme and when an

assessment of suitable measures for eligible properties will be available

Thames Water to clarify the extent of the flood resistance / resilience measures undertaken at

Lightlands Lane PS, Cookham).

·         12 July 2016

·         17 October 2016

·         17 January 2017

·         3 April 2017

(5 mins).

All future meeting dates were noted.