To receive the above report.

Simon Dale introduced the item, which was a summary of the boroughs duties and responsibilities as a lead local flood authority (LLFA). The borough worked with Project Centre, which helped in the strategic approach to responsibilities, and changes in the team would increase proactivity in discharging its responsibilities. Sue Fox, Principal Commissioning Officer, was moving into a full-time role focusing on flooding and drainage, supported by Joseph Hitchman, Senior Risk Engineer at Project Centre and VolkerHighways.

Sue Fox and Joseph Hitchman presented slides, which addressed that the Pitt Review was undertaken after widespread floods in summer 2007, in which over 50,000 households were affected, and damages exceeded £4billion, which resulted in 92 recommendations. They were based on Local Authorities playing a major role in the management of local flood risk. The Environmental Agency (EA) was brought in as a statutory consultee on major planning applications in areas at risk of flooding from rivers and/or the sea.

The presentation highlighted the role and responsibilities of the LLFA, the EA, Thames Water, and the borough as the Risk Management Authority (RMA). As the RMA, the borough discharged its responsibilities to VolkerHighways to maintain highways, including ensuring highway drainage systems were clear. This was done through a routine maintenance programme for maintaining gullies, drains and soakaways predominantly in Maidenhead. Most ditches were the responsibility of landowners. The borough was responsible for maintaining the pumping station, protecting the highway from flooding and adjoining properties from the runoff of the highways. The borough delivered improvement schemes annually that dealt with wet spots on the road, broken gullies, and broken connections.

The borough’s flood risk activities included a strategic role and liaison with professional partners; Sustainable Drainage Systems consultee; highway maintenance; annual capital programme, with a budget of £500,000 for the municipal year; land drainage consenting and compliance; emergency planning; RBWM Flood Liaison Group, which met quarterly with parish councils, the EA and Thames Water to discuss matter of local and strategic flood interest; and, Berkshire 5 Strategic Group, an officer group to discuss regional matters and share best practice.

The work programme for 2021-22 included a number of items, including a refresh of the Local Flood Risk Management Plan, which would be taken to Cabinet in July 2021; the joint project with the EA for the Datchet, Horton, Wraysbury, Old Windsor flood alleviation project; the capital programme delivery including soakaway improvements, including 10% replacement of covers and clear silt in Maidenhead; flood prevention in Horton, Wraysbury and Datchet; ditch clearance and run-off over verges; and, Highway Drainage schemes, focussing on the backlog, such as Priest Hill, Old Windsor, and delivering 40 minor drainage schemes.

Councillor Baldwin asked for the source of figures regarding the Pitts Review and how it contrasted to the borough’s lack of investment, and the Panel was informed that the data was collated from the review report and the investment was the council’s decision based on unaffordability. Therefore, other flood alleviations methods were being reviewed.

Councillor Baldwin asked if the Project Centre was fit to deliver timely information, and the Panel was informed that other than a dip during COVID-19, the Project Centre was meeting its performance target to deliver responses to planning applications within 21 days. Councillor Baldwin said outsourcing a contract should lead to greater resilience than the internal service during pressured times and improvements could be made. He said drawings for the second phase of the Active Transport scheme were six months behind schedule, and Sue Fox said this would be responded by Chris Joyce, Head of Infrastructure, Sustainability and Economic Growth.

ACTION: Chris Joyce to advise Councillor Baldwin of the timeliness of Project Centre offline.

Councillor Larcombe said there was a corporate loss of memory and asked who authorised the variations of the Wraysbury drain and why nothing was done regarding unauthorised works on the drain. Simon Dale said it was acknowledged that the borough was not as responsive in the past and that was being corrected, and due to staff turnover, there was a loss of corporate memory. Officers arranged a meeting with Councillor Lacombe to begin discussions on resolving the matter, and any other Councillors were welcome. The Vice Chairman said Councillor Lacombe’s requests were not addressed in the past due to lack of finances and was pleased with the progression.

ACTION: Councillor Baldwin to be included in the Wraysbury Drain meeting.

The Panel noted the item.