To receive the above update.

Ian Thompson announced that Harry Clasper had resigned as a Parish Councillor and as the Parish Flood Liaison Group Chairman. Ian Thompson also reported that it had been agreed that the Parish Flood Liaison Group should only be reinstated during times of flood.

Ian Thompson directed Members to page 10 of the agenda pack which referred to the accuracy of flood maps. He had brought to the meeting two flood maps indicating the extent of flooding experienced in Datchet during the January / February 2014 flood event. One map showed the actual flooding that occurred, and the other map was based on LIDAR mapping which showed much greater flooding than actually occurred at that time. The LIDAR map showed flooding occurring in some areas that did not flood at all and other areas that did flood were not shown on the LIDAR map. He stated there needed to be a baseline starting with the flooding event in 2014 and go forward from there as that would then be accurate. Brianne Vally from the EA explained the flood map provided by Ian Thompson did not show where the data was collated from. The EA had historic flood maps which were released through “Project 4” where the EA provided flooding details to developers and that would include data of all flood events. In the past, parish councils had raised strong concerns regarding the indicated extent of flooding experienced in 2013 and 2014 and the EA had taken these concerns on board and removed that event from the “Product 4” flood maps. There had been no further work undertaken at this stage to allow the 2013/14 flood events to be reinstated within the “Project 4” mapping and Brianne stated that she was unable to provide likely dates when 2013/14 events were likely to be reinstated.

Brianne Vally explained historic flood outlines would not drive planning decisions. The EA was working to amend the Flood Map for Planning and it was likely that this mapping set would be updated by 31 July 2019. The Lower Thames remodelling was ongoing. The Borough used to be covered by two different models but that had now been combined into one.

Ian Thompson stated that some works had been carried out on the bund at Poplars, Southlea Road. He said he would go down to the area by boat and take photographs so the Flood Liaison Group could look at the area in a different light. The Chairman suggested Ian Thompson get the photographs and then raise the issue with the EA and Thames Water.

Ian Thompson stated he had been through the file on the works to the underpass near Eton End School and the Borough had started discussions with an architect and he had the drawings from 2015 with a proposal from the architect. He had spoken to the architect and he was an expert in flood barriers. A number of 1 tonne sand bags were placed in the underpass during the 2014 flood event but were now rotting so a permanent solution was required. Ian Thompson added he had a drawing of a one way flat valve that would solve the issue and if the Forum agreed, he would approach the architect to get the works started. The Flood Risk Manager responded stating that Ian Thompson should contact the Borough’s Commissioning Team to confirm if this could be progressed as a capital scheme and if so, that could be put forward but, he felt agreement would be needed from Network Rail in order for any works to be carried out. The Chairman said more modelling work was required and he would talk to the Commissioning Team. Brianne Vally reminded Members that funding for the RTS was based on how many properties would benefit; if the RTS went ahead. The Council would not want to promote individual schemes defending properties that could be protected by the RTS. Ian Thompson responded if the Council did not know when the RTS was likely to be started, action needed to be taken to protect homes in the short to medium term. The Chairman said that if the scheme put forward by Ian Thompson was implemented and protected a number of properties that would potentially be protected by the RTS this would reduce the funding available for the RTS. Ewan Larcombe stated the EA and the Borough needed to be aware that people were building their own earth bunds in Datchet, Horton and Wraysbury which would potentially obstruct flow paths and increase potential flooding. Brianne Vally responded if there were concerns regarding bunds or any such works, they needed to be reported to the EA and a record kept.

Mike Williams stated there was an issue on the Wraysbury Drain near Hythe End Road where a section had been piped without consent. Enforcement work had begun to resolve the issue. The Flood Risk Manager confirmed the issue had been reported and it was being dealt with.

v  Action – Members requested an update on the Fowles Crushed Concrete site in Wraysbury, from an EA aspect. Brianne Vally confirmed she would bring an update to the next meeting.