Panel members to elect a Chairman for the duration of the meeting.

Due to the Chairman sending his apologies, the Forum had to vote for a chairman for the duration of the meeting.

Councillor Muir proposed Councillor Larcombe to be Chairman for the duration of the meeting. This was seconded by Parish Councillor Louvaine Kneen.

A named vote was taken.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED: Councillor Larcombe to be Chairman for the duration of the meeting

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies received from Councillor Clark, the Chairman, Dick Scarff, and Parish Councillors Jim Cooke and David Burfitt

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

AGREED UNANIMOUSLY: That the minutes of the meeting held on 29^th June 2022 were a true and accurate record.

To confirm the actions from the previous minutes.

ACTION: Denise Kinsella to discuss with Parish Councillor Malcolm Beer on the next steps on arranging a meeting regarding the flooding in Old Windsor.

ACTION: Denise Kinsella to update Parish Councillor Ian Thompson on Thames Water’s response to the build-up at Datchet Common Brook.

ACTION: Ben Crampin to contact Councillor Walters on whether he wanted to meet for a site visit in Bray to investigate flooding issues in the areas

To review the suggested changes to the Terms of Reference for Flood Liaison Group.

The Forum reviewed the suggested amendments to Flood Liaison Group.

AGREED UNANIMOUSLY: To approve the suggested amendments to Flood Group’s Terms of Reference.

To receive the above verbal update.

Councillor Brar asked if the Environment Agency (EA) could do a site visit to Lightlands Lane, Cookham as residents were concern with the nearby culvert. Brianne Vally, Environment Agency, stated a visit could be arranged if the exact location was provided. Ben Crampin, Flood Risk Manager, added that an email response was written for the residents, and stated he would forward this to Brianne Vally before they make the site visit.

Councillor Brar then requested for a meeting between EA and the residents at Lightlands Lane, Cookham. Brianne Vally stated she would look into this.

ACTION: Brianne Vally to arrange a meeting between EA and Lightlands Lane, Cookham residents over concerns with the culvert.

Councillor Brar asked Brianne Vally for an update on the flood walls in Cookham. Brianne Vally informed that EA had replaced some flood warning signs in Cookham and Bisham. She added that she liaised with contractors to enquire about a missing flood warning sign on Cookham High Street. Brianne Vally confirmed the sign was assumed lost or stolen. She also mentioned she will share the infographics and details for Cookham Parish Council to procure a replacement sign should they be interested.  She then stated that a letter detailing maintenance of the flooding signs had been sent out to Cookham Parish Council a few months prior. Councillor Brar asked for this letter to be sent to her. Brianne Vally agreed to do so.

ACTION: Brianne Vally to forward the letter regarding maintenance of flood warning signs in Cookham to Councillor Brar.

Starting off the EA update with the situation of the catchment, Brianne Vallyinformed that the Thames catchment area had received 121% of the average rainfall for October. As a result, natural river flows had increased across the Thames catchment. In spite of this, the Borough was still in a status of drought as declared in August 2022 and was expected to continue to be in a drought status into 2023. Brianne Vally mentioned that more information regarding the water situation in local areas was on gov.uk website.

Brianne Vally then moved onto ongoing maintenance works in the local areas. Most of the works were focused on the Maidenhead, Windsor and Eton Flood Alleviation Scheme and the wider assets which form part of the scheme. Maintenance works were being done on the A4 Bath Road retaining walls along the Jubilee River Channel and were close to being completed.

On the North Maidenhead Bund between Cookham and Maidenhead, EA were investigating and collecting some evidence required to carry out some maintenance works and repairs. In Cookham, the bunds around the access pass had been repairs. In addition, maintenance work began around the Cookham flood walls, including in the Riverdene area, with focus on the mortar joints and the joint seals.

Brianne Vally then explained that a program of maintenance was about to take place at Taplow, which was the start of the Jubilee River, where a gantry was being installed to facilitate future maintenance.

Brianne Vally then  ...  view the full minutes text for item 199.

To receive the above verbal update.

Denise Kinsella gave the update for Thames Water. She explained that Thames Water had gone through some reorganisation in its business approach, namely working more into river basins and catchment. She added that her colleague, David Harding, would be attending future Flood Liaison Group meetings, thus replacing Denise Kinsella as the officer from Thames Water.

In terms of work from Thames Water, Denise Kinsella started off with some proactive work across the catchment. Sewer depth monitors were still in place which alert Thames Water of any blockages which would then allow a quick response. There were 28 sewer depth monitors in Windsor and 88 in Maidenhead. Thames Water had already attended blockages in both of these catchment areas when around over 20 alarms went off.

Thames Water were continuing with their planned maintenance, which involved proactively going out to the sewers which may have issues.

Denise Kinsella then explained that Thames Water’s ‘Bin It, Don’t Block It’ messaging sought to be more targeted whereby an informative letter was sent to all properties within 30 metres of a blockade, informing residents of how to not block their sewages. If there were repeated blockages in the area, residents would receive a second of the same informative letter, followed by a home visit from Thames Water to directly investigate and inform residents if another blockage took place.

On other updates:

·       The Eton Wick project was still within the design stage. Thames Water was still providing updates to Eton Wick Waterways Group as well as sharing data, namely studies on the water levels.

·       On the clearance on the Datchet Common Brook, Denise Kinsella stated that a contractor was to be assigned to assess what needed to be done.

·       On Moneyrow Green, some work had taken place, such as the cleaning of the sewer and changing the manholes. Thames Water would continue to oversee any developments.

The Chairman asked about the Myrke ditch pollution (near the Windsor Road and downstream of the Slough Wier). Denise Kinsella stated that Thames Water had investigated but did not notice any issues. She explained that residents would need to phone up and inform Thames Water, stating that Thames Water needed to see what was happening in order to resolve it. The Chairman replied that there were 30 other people observers of the Myrke ditch pollution and that it had been in this state for 30 years.

Referring to the Myrke ditch pollution, Parish Councillor Ian Thompson stated that he saw this issue and reported it 5-7 years ago and was surprised by its lack of resolution. He stated he would be appreciative if Thames Water investigated the Myrke ditch pollution.

The Forum noted the update.

To receive the above verbal update.

Ben Crampin gave a presentation with some updates from RBWM:

·       On the Wraysbury Drain, some maintenance work took place around the downstream of the control structure where watercourse splits from the Horton Drain. In addition, some site investigations were taking place upstream of the splash including the sections of watercourse downstream of the previous works site. There was also some silk clearance which took around the downstream end of the Windsor Road Bridge owned.

·       Some communication took place with landowners on the downstream ends of the Wraysbury Drain where there had been some long-standing issues with the watercourse over the last few years. Ben Crampin expected to arrange a site visit in the upcoming weeks to discuss the area as well as upstream.

·       Windsor Road Bridge maintenance works had not started yet. This was due to the gully sucker (used to pump out silk) could not suck up logs and bricks. RBWM Flood Management were looking into how to undertake this clear-up in a more effective way.

·       At Douglas Lane and Windsor Road, RBWM Flood Management were working with landowners to maintain sections of watercourse underneath the highway.

·       A programme of work was put in place for the next year.

·       Surveys were conducted at Datchet Barrell Arch which revealed that there were no major issues.

·       A contract was being finalised to undertake silt clearance around Datchet Barrell Arch. Ben Crampin warned that some closures may take place, but there would be a 90-day notice.

·       Work had started on the Flap Valve at Penn Road. Initial surveying and modelling work had been undertaken to get a better understanding of the area. The modelling work was expected to be finished by the end of October 2022, with results by the end of 2022.

·       Over the past few months, work had been conducted on Grant-in-Aid projects, namely whether they were feasible or not. This included the surface water study in Holyport Fifield and Oakley Green areas. Progress was expected to begin 2023.

·       A new Flood Risk Officer was recruited whose role was to investigate and report flooding issues. RBWM Flood Management were also seeking a Sustainable Drainage Officer.

·       Ben Crampin was also seeking to expand the flooding content on the RBWM website over the next year. The additional content was likely to include watercourse responsibilities, SuDS and Ordinary Watercourse Consent.

Parish Councillor Ian Thompson asked for progress on Eton End Rail Tunnel where a discussion between RBWM and Network Rail took place. He also asked what amount was available from £10 million allocated to the Local Flood Plan. Brianne Vally stated that an EA had an initial meeting with Network Rail whereby there was a better understanding of Network Rail’s requirements if EA decided to proceed with maintenance in the area. She stated that RBWM had decided that the option would require an investigation as part of the Datchet to Hythe End Flood Improvement Measure to collect information in the area.

Parish Councillor Malcolm Beer asked if there was any progress on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 201.

To receive the above verbal update.

No new updates from Parish Councils.

Councillor Bowden asked if the flood wardens from Eton and Eton Wick had been contacted to take part in the Flood Awareness Training course. Laura Ragazzacci stated that she and Claire Taylor had not received an invitation for the training courses despite being recorded as assistant flood wardens. Emily Merritt requested for Laura Regazzacci to forward her details.

Councillor Bowden then asked if there was a separate flood warden for Eton itself. Laura Regazzacci stated there was not; and that John Lovell was the main flood warden and that she and Claire Taylor support John Lovell. Councillor Bowden stated he would raise this at Eton Town Council.