a)    By Councillor Larcombe

That this council takes immediate action to ensure that the probability of flooding is minimised by ensuring that land drainage infrastructure is maintained in a condition fit-for-purpose.

A maximum period of 30 minutes will be allowed for each Motion to be moved, seconded and debated, including dealing with any amendments.  At the expiry of the 30-minute period debate will cease immediately, the mover of the Motion or amendment will have the right of reply before the Motion or amendment is put to the vote.

Motion a) regarding minimising the probability of flooding by ensuring that land drainage infrastructure was maintained

Councillor Larcombe introduced his motion as set out in the Council agenda. He referred to the Councillor question about flooding earlier in the agenda stating that the upstream catchment was about 8,500 square kilometers and once the area was saturated every drop of rain came past here, especially in the winter season. As part of the answer to the earlier Councillor question reference was made to the Section 19 report which was a report on what had happened during the last flooding event and he queried where the report went.

He referred to Councillor Walters who had objected, 30 years ago, to what is now known as The Jubilee River and recognised his efforts to ensure that it was considered by the Planning Committee. He recounted that the Inspector had said “it would be very embarrassing for all concerned if the new channel did not carry its design capacity” and stated that it could not and never would.

He continued that 20 years later his ward, Datchet, Horton and Wraysbury, repeatedly flooded every time the gates were opened and highlighted that this was not a natural flooding event but someone was sitting in an office looking at a chart and pressing a button.

Councillor Larcombe described his ward, Datchet, Horton and Wraysbury, explaining that apart from two motorways, two railway lines with two railway stations his patch had the Thames, the Jubilee River, the Myrke which was a designated main river, the Datchet Common Brook, Wraysbury Drain which was a critical ordinary water course,  the Horton drain, the Cole Brook which was another designated main river and the County Ditch.

He explained that the area flooded at the beginning of January and they were still flooded today because the ordinary water courses and the channels had not been kept clean and tidy for years. He recognised this was a nationwide and political

problem and the issue for Datchet, Horton and Wraysbury was that it was geopolitical because they were at the end of the borough and at the end of the county.

He stated that the legislation was substandard as there was no duty anywhere for anybody to keep these water courses and the land drainage infrastructure clean and tidy. A Lead Local Flood Authority resulted from the Floods and Water Management Act 2010 but he queried who they were and what did they did. He reflected on the changes to partnership funding. He concluded that the images shared with the meeting was a road in Wraysbury called Feathers Lane from previous flooding in 2011.

Councillor Werner seconded the motion.

Councillor W Da Costa supported the motion. He reported that recent training on emergency planning within the borough. He reflected that due to the climate change they were observing increased amounts of carbon emissions, weather warnings and floods. He stated that he did not think that the existing plan dealt with the worsening situation. He suggested that it may be something for the Berkshire Prosperity Board to consider building in resilience to protect residents, farmland and businesses.

Councillor J Grove commented that the recent flooding event in January had focused attention on the ongoing and ever worsening risk of flood events within the borough. The water had behaved very differently this year compared to the floods of 2013 and 2014. The preceding six months had been exceptionally wet but they could not ignore the deteriorated state of land drainage systems. As a Council we are looking to the government for funding for a long-term meaningful flood defence system in the form of a flood alleviation channel e.g. RTS Channel One. Even if successful this would take years to build but a difference could be made now as well-maintained land drainage infrastructure were essential to protect the properties, businesses and possibly the lives of the residents. She suggested that investment was financially prudent as flooding events were becoming more regular and the cost for recovery and reinstatement post flooding was increasing. She concluded that she supported the motion.

Councillor Reynolds agreed that it was really important that not only the infrastructure was built but it is then maintained so it is fit for purpose. He agreed with earlier comments that land drainage was also really important as they were aware that green areas in many wards flooded when it rained. He referred to a number of sites due to be built upon within the Borough Local Plan and raised concerns that plans to build homes on flood plains and green sites did not sit well with making improvements to reduce flooding.

Councillor Howard reiterated the comments about reducing the amount of flood plains, which slow the transit of water into the river, by covering them in concrete the flow channels are not maintained. He raised the misery of polluted water coming into people's houses as the water mains were leaking and raw sewage was being pumped into the flood water.

Councillor Jones also supported the motion noting that the responsibilities for maintenance of different land drainage infrastructures lay with different people or

Organisations. She stated that everyone needed to step up and take responsibility because without everybody maintaining the infrastructure it just would not change.

Councillor Bermanage referred to the council’s ability to serve enforcement notices under the Land Drainage Act. He advised that the council did not currently have a land drainage enforcement policy but hoped it was something they would have the resources to develop and implement in the future.

Councillor Wilson commented on the unpleasant situation in Eton and Castle where raw sewage had been flowing past residents’ back gardens. Paths and fields had been flooding due to lack of channel maintenance and grazing land had now designated a wetland because of poor drainage. He concluded by encouraging the use of local contractors to support the local economy.

Councillor Moriarty thanked Councillor Larcombe for his continuous work to ensure this issue was not ignored. The contributions to the debate showed that this issue was affecting different parts of the borough, even those that were not previously affected. He thanked Councillor Larcombe for ensuring that resource was put into this area and noted his expertise. He was pleased so see the motion seconded by Councillor Werner, that Councillor Coe was working with him and Cabinet members were listening. He understood that creative solutions would be required and concluded by showing admiration for his determination.

Councillor Coe supported the comments made and added that he had been on site visits with Councillor Larcombe to view land drainage and the design of the Jubilee River. He reflected on the difficulties and complications of enforcing maintenance across the number of land and homeowners. He observed that the Council owed a debt to the voluntary groups that helped maintain these water courses as the enforcement resources had been removed within the organisation.

Councillor Walters reflected that he had heard Councillor Larcombe’s lone voice for some time. He reflected that previous discussions had been lost and he thanked him for bringing the motion and was pleased to see it supported.

Councillor Reeves mentioned the lack of maintenance of a culvert in Kimbers Lane had caused flooding which meant walkers had to climb over a fence to continue. He stated that developers needed to be reminded that when building on affected land they needed to take appropriate accountability and responsibility for maintenance. He continued that the council should be ask asking as part of planning conditions that they achieve this critical aim of them taking responsibility.

Council Werner commented that Section 19 report captures each incident in detail and stated it would be foolhardy not to use the report as a work in progress to help fix issues. He said that as council we need to have a plan to help resolve the various issues of the drains and he said the work had already begun. He referred to the pumping station in Cookham which was overwhelmed with recent flooding. Councillor Reynolds was leading a campaign against sewage being pumped into waterways and encouraged everyone to sign his petition. He agreed that it would be a long process. He agreed that it was so important that the national government stepped up and dealt with this emergency. He reflected that this infrastructure issue was the kind of project that the new Berkshire Prosperity Board could support future growth.  

Councillor Larcombe summed up the debate by stating that the Environment Agency had failed to maintain the Thames, they got rid of the dredgers, dredger operators and disposal facilities. He described how dredging was currently carried out. He advised that his petition had nearly got 1,200 signatures and would be brought to a future meeting. He stated that people and organisations needed to work together. He commented that there was a lack of oversight and scrutiny as the Flood Liaison Committee was not a committee of the Council. He said there was an opportunity for the new Administration to do better. He wanted to see progress on the Wraysbury Drain as the culvert had not worked for five years. He suggested that Parish Councils were asked to make an annual report about the quality of their land drainage infrastructure in terms of water levels, water flows and water quality. Work with Parish Councils to help identify and communicate with those who were responsible and enforce when action was not taken.

On the proposition of Councillor Larcombe, Ward Councillor for Datchet, Horton and Wraysbury and seconded by Councillor Werner it was

RESOLVED unanimously that this council takes immediate action to ensure that the probability of flooding is minimised by ensuring that land drainage infrastructure is maintained in a condition fit-for-purpose.