ACTION FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING

UPDATE

Laurence Ellis to circulate Richard Hancock’s instructions on signing up to the flood warning service to Flood Group attendees.

COMPLETED – Instructions forwarded to FLG forum members.

Parish Councillor Louvaine Kneen to contact David Harding regarding the drain cover near the Jolly Gardener pub, namely the cover having Colt Telecoms written on it.

Laurence Ellis informed that Parish Councillor Louvainne Kneen had notified that she had been in contact with the landlady of the Jolly Gardener pub, who would send the information through to her.  Upon receipt, she would contact David Harding with Ben Crampin copied in.

Ben Crampin, RBWM Flood Risk Manager, to relay to Parish Councillor Ian Thompson on the funding for flood defences in the Borough in the last 4 years.

Ben Crampin reported that this had not been completed but stated that he would pick this action up with Parish Councillor Ian Thompson outside of the meeting.

The circulated presentations and documents to be re-circulated to the new members of Flood Liaison Group.

COMPLETED – The presentations and documents were recirculated shortly after the last meeting.

Brianne Vally to ensure that Councillor Devon Davies received updates on the installation of a new fence at Dorney Common and weed clearance around Roundmoor Ditch and Boveney stream.

Brianne Vally believed that most of the actions relating to Eton Wick could be marked as completed but acknowledged that issues remained. She informed that Jeanette Wooster, EA Catchment Coordinator, had liaised with the interested individuals around Eton Wick. She stated that she was willing to forward any updates or answers if there were any actions which had not been addressed satisfactorily.

Councillor D. Davies, Vice-Chair, stated that he would wait for the update from EA and ask any questions he may have to Brianne Vally or Jeanette Wooster.

Brianne Vally to inform Councillor Coe on any update to water maintenance plans around Eton Wick.

COMPLETED – Brianne Vally informed that that Jeanette Wooster had picked this up at her recent meetings. She added that she was willing to pick this if it was not addressed satisfactorily.

Councillor Coe had not arrived at the meeting at this point to give any feedback.

Update on weed clearance around Eton Wick in the next meeting agenda in October 2023.

Councillor D. Davies informed that weeding had continued, ending in Summer 2023 and had started again in late September 2023. He stated that flood levels had decreased.

Laura Regazzacci informed that the Eton Wick Volunteer Association (EWVA) had done around 50% of the rivers around Eton Wick, which had made a difference. However, she stated that she was awaiting the major landowners such as Eton College, Eton Town Council and the Palmer Estate for Dorney Common to do their part. She stated that they appeared to be held up due to finances, where they were expected a financial contribution from Thames Water, which had not been received yet.

Overall, Laura Regazzacci reported that the weeding had been conducted by EWVA; whilst satisfactory, it had not resolved the issue with the rivers unprepared for any flooding in the winter period or early spring. She opined that the programme had not been completed. When asked by the Chair, she requested for this action to be carried over to the next Flood Group meeting.

When the Chair then asked if she wanted any intervention if requested, Laura Regazzacci replied that she would leave this with Councillors D. Devon and Wilson (the local ward Borough Councillors), stating that they were on the case; particularly, she stated, as Councillor Wilson had good knowledge of the water system around Eton Wick and had been in contact by Jeanette Wooster.

While two meetings had taken place with EA, Laura Regazzacci disputed Brianne Vally’s claim that the flooding issues at Eton Wick had been resolved, stating that there were major issues in the north of the village, namely flooding in a field which often extended towards Colenorton Crescent. She asserted that this was a risky situation which required a long-term approach. She stated that a sensible long-term solution had not yet been found, including the landowners and the build-up of silt.

Brianne Vally clarified that the action points had been carried out as far as she was aware, but she nevertheless acknowledged that the issues at Eton Wick remained. She informed that Jeanette Wooster was arranging another update and meeting in the forthcoming weeks to explore alternative methods with weed clearance and support any further plans for the spring. She then informed that the EA Operations Team had sought to liaise with the major landowners with limited success. She also notified that EA had carried out some vegetation clearance in areas where EA was the landowner, mostly around Roundmoor Ditch which went under the Jubilee Flood Alleviation Channel.

The Chair requested for this action to carry on behind the scenes and follow-up for Laura Regazzacci.

A meeting between EA officers, Laura Regazzacci and relevant Councillors on weed clearance and flooding at Eton Wick.

Following from the discussion with the previous action point, Brianne Valley stated that the meeting had taken place; but added that follow-up meetings and discussions were possibly required, likely exploring methods on vegetation clearance.

A meeting between EA officers, Ben Crampin and Datchet, Horton and Wraysbury Councillors on the Datchet to Hythe End Flood Improvement Measures.

Brianne Vally informed that a meeting had taken place between the Borough and EA officers regarding the scheme. She added that Stuart Mollard would be providing an update on Datchet to Hythe End Flood Improvement Measures scheme later in the meeting, hoping it would answer some questions in relation to communication and engagement.

The Chair however disputed this item as being completed, stating a meeting between EA officers, Ben Crampin and Datchet, Horton and Wraysbury Councillors (rather than Borough and EA officers) had not taken place.

The Chair wished for this action to follow up to the next meeting.

Ben Crampin to forward an update to Parish Councillor Mandy Brar regarding flooding issues in Burchetts Green Road and Cookham High Street.

While he did not forward an update to Parish Councillor Mandy Brar before themeeting, Ben Crampin gave some quick details.

With Cookham High Street, Ben Crampin informed that RBWM had ordered some works in July 2023 to take place. He added that he would chase this up on whether the works had taken place.

As for Burchetts Green Road, Ben Crampin reported that this was not on the programme for the current financial year (2023-24), though he added that this may change depending on whether there was any leftover money within the financial year.

Essentially, Burchetts Green Road was not being prioritised at the moment in contrast to other works which had greater priority due to property flooding.

Nevertheless, Ben Crampin requested for Parish Councillor Mandy Brar to keep him posted if the issues at Burchetts Green Road continued so it would be recorded, and he would then keep her updated.

Parish Councillor Mandy Brar stated that she would check the Burchetts Green issues as well as acquire input from the Residents’ Association.

Brianne Vally to inform Parish Councillor Mandy Brar on whether the Temple Bridge (near Hurley) would be reopened after repairs.

COMPLETED – Brianne Vally believed that she circulated an update; though added she could circulate the recent update from 6^th September 2023 if she had not done so.

However, Parish Councillor Mandy Brar responded that she had not received any update.

Brianne Vally then shared the information in the Zoom chat.

Ben Crampin to inform Claire Taylor on the flooding issues at Moore’s Lane, Eton Wick, and the section of the Roundmoor.

Ben Crampin reported that he had a meeting with Claire Taylor yet. He stated that he had spoken with Slough Borough Council on this issue and Jeanette Wooster (from EA) due to the land being within Slough Borough.

Ben Crampin stated that he would get into contact with Claire Taylor to discuss this further.

Ben Crampin to investigate the modelling regarding the Penn Road Flap Valve and Datchet Common Brook water flows, and then report back to Parish Councillor Ian Thompson.

Ben Crampin responded that he looked through the detail of the report and stated that he was confident in the modelling used in the report.

Ben Crampin added that he had recently emailedParish Councillor Ian Thompson to arrange a conversation on a number of issues. He stated that he would arrange a specific date and time with him.

Thames Water to update Parish Councillor Ian Thompson on Thames Water’s response to the Datchet Common Brook.

Due to technical issues, Parish Councillor Ian Thompson was unable to respond to this.

The Chair decided to carry this action point over.