To receive the above verbal update.

Brianne Vally (Environment Agency) said that as of the 12^th October the whole of the Thames catchment received 65% of the average rainfall and the highest weekly accumulation was within Epping forest. This was 24.6 mm. All river flows in the last week had decreased at all sites and were now below the percentage of monthly mean for October.

Brianne Vally said that during the week that would follow the meeting, no rainfall was expected and therefore river and reservoir levels may start to decrease.

Brianne Vally said that following repairs to the Black Pott weir, the Jubilee river was now back in full operation with no restrictions on flows or levels. Further maintenance on other parts of the flood alleviation scheme was also planned.

Brianne Vally said that there were numerous footbridges over the Jubilee river and that not all are covered by the RBWM. Berry Hill footbridge in Taplow had been closed for the foreseeable future due to structural instability, this was being looked after by Buckinghamshire council.

Brianne Vally said that in the next few months, the hydrometry and telemetry teams will carry out some maintenance works on the Pococks Lane sensor and a small hut next to this. This would ensure that data is more reliable and resilient.

Brianne Vally said that information had been circulated with regards to maintenance on the River Lower Colne and that all the identified pinch points should be cleared by November 2021. The Chairman said that he would pass this on to the Flood Warden for the area.

Brianne Vally stated that a flood risk management plan had been worked on for the last couple of years with the Environment Agency, other relevant lead local flood authorities including the RBWM. This was a joint plan and there was a statutory requirement to undertake this.

Brianne Vally said that in 2017 several areas at high risk of flooding were identified as being within the RBWM and that the plan outlined what the principles were for dealing with flooding from 2021 to 2027. This was being issued for consultation on the 22^nd October 2021.

Brianne Vally stated that Datchet and Wraysbury had been identified as being at high risk from flooding from main rivers. The draft measures reflected the intentions to manage flood risk in the Datchet and Wraysbury areas. The Environment Agency and the RBWM were working together to refine the options in these areas.

ACTION- Brianne Vally to circulate consultation details with the Flood Group.

Brianne Vally said that the Environment Agency were currently within the investigate stage of the ‘Developing a project to reduce flood and coastal erosion risk’ plan that was being referred too. The 2 next steps were development funding and then choosing the preferred option.

The Principal Commissioning Officer for Highway Services (Sue Fox) said that the council had £10 million circa in its approved capital programme for the Datchet, Horton and Wraysbury and Old Windsor scheme. This was embedded within the programme for the next 3 years.

Councillor Larcombe asked what the cost was of the Black Potts weir repairs.

Brianne Vally said that work had been carried out also on the Manor Farm weir and that the figures she had, covered both repairs. The total cost of the repairs was just under £7.5 million and was comparable to past works on the River Thames.

Councillor Larcombe asked for a copy of the latest Jubilee river operating procedure.

Brianne Vally responded by saying that some of the data gathered whilst carrying out the Black Pott weir works and the experiences from last winter, led to some minor changes being implemented to the procedure in question. This was to reduce gate movements at Taplow in the evenings.

Brianne Vally stated that there were 2 main aims for this:

1.     Improve the safety of the lock and weir keepers, who must face wintery conditions.

2.     To learn from previous comments from communities of how it was operated in the past.

ACTION- Brianne Vally to provide the group with the latest changes to the Jubilee river operating procedures.

Councillor Larcombe asked what the progress was for the River Thames scheme and the development consent order.

Brianne Vally replied by stating that work was in progress for further refining of the design of the River Thames Scheme. Market engagement had also begun with the construction industry to potentially bring it into play in approximately 2 years’ time.

Brianne Vally said that a major update was being planned via the website in November and referred the group to this website for further information.

Councillor Larcombe asked why 1 individual footbridge had an issue and not the others, when they were all installed at the same time 20 years ago.

Laura Regazzacci (Eton Wick Waterways Group) asked for some more information regarding Manor Farm weir and stated that some repair work had been carried out there, which saw a serious reduction in flooding around her village.

ACTION- Brianne Vally to provide the group with information on the repair works at Manor Farm weir.

Councillor Rayner asked for information regarding Eton Wick and the proposed Thames Water scheme.

Brianne Vally said that several cost recovery meetings had been held with Thames Water over the last few months to look at their proposal. Brianne Vally said that Thames Water were planning to submit a flood risk assessment to local planning authorities to review their proposal.  This was planned for the end of October/ start of November 2021.

Brianne Vally said that an Environmental Impact Assessment was required, which is when evidence of flood risk would prevail. Brianne Vally added that any permits that were required would also be identified there.

Councillor Rayner said that Thames Water were engaging with local residents and the community and that she had been to several meetings regarding this already.

Colin Lemmings asked if Brianne Vally was able to provide the schematics for flood warning boards.

Colin Lemmings asked if the Environment Agency were responsible for choosing the locations of the flood warning boards. This was due to a sign being damaged and being then placed in a location that was not suitable.

ACTION- Brianne Vally to find out if Environment Agency is able to provide advice on where to locate flood warning signs and if the schematics could be obtained.