Meeting documents

To receive a presentation from Affinity Water, Thames Water and Buckinghamshire County Council on flooding issues and prevention measures in South Bucks district.  

The Committee was provided with a presentation from Huw Thomas (Thames Water), Grace Harland (Affinity) and a verbal update from Alex Back (Bucks County Council).

Thames Water

Huw Thomas from Thames Water gave an overview of the Thames Valley Network, it was explained that groundwater can cause sewers to become permanently full. This results in further rain causing sewers to surface. It was reported that Thames Water had become more pro-active with sewer maintenance since 2015. There were depth monitors in place in sewers.

Members were informed that Thames Water identified risks by using several resources. They analysed proposed growth through Local Plans. A Pre-planning enquiry process was free and developers were being encouraged to contact them in advance of the submission of planning applications. Their customer relationship managers were proactively seeking out site developers and working to meet developers, promoters and agents for large development sites at an early stage of the planning process.

In response to questions from Members, it was confirmed that the conversion of offices to flats is unlikely to be picked up by Thames Water and Members were informed that the Local Authority should communicate this to the Water Authorities. However, flow monitors in sewers allow them to be aware of altered activity.

Drainage and Wastewater management plans had been developed by Water and wastewater Companies, Defra Environment Agency, Ofwat, Consumer Council for Water and the National Infrastructure Commission. This framework was published in 2018 to provide a basis for more collaborative and integrated long term planning.

It was reported that £150,000 is to be made available to all districts in the region for the installation of surface water management schemes. Alex Back from Bucks County Council confirmed that the new unitary council will receive the amounts intended for all local authorities to be merged.

Members were informed that generally South Bucks was reasonably well looked after, with no major flooded areas, although there were isolated small areas which encountered the occasional flooding. Reference was made to Chalfont St Peter and Chesham where there were issues with the drainage. Thames Water was asked to investigate Lakes Lane, Beaconsfield where there were potential drainage problems which resulted in flooding.   

Affinity

Grace Harland from Affinity gave an overview of the River Restoration projects on the River Misbourne. The presentation focused on 3 projects, Barn Meadow, Amersham to Q Mill and the Isle of Wight Farm.

The Isle of Wight Farm Project at Gerrards Cross was completed December 2018. Its aim was to build a bund that diverts river flow into the main channel. To narrow and add flow diversity to the channel and to narrow and to increase the amount of light into the channel through tree works.

Members were shown a portion of tree works completed. Gravels were exposed on the bed and monitoring was in place at the site. This was to spot gauging and macroinvertebrate sampling.

The Amersham to Quarrendon Mill project was aimed at improving habitat and flows in the existing channel (mill leat) through in-channel enhancements, including tree works. Also to better connect the channel to groundwater by re-meandering the channel through the grazing field at the bottom of the valley just below Amersham Bypass.

The Outline designs were produced in April 2019, with a detailed design to be completed later in the year. Tree works were due to be completed in November 2019 and the re-meander in 2020.

County Council

Alex Back, Senior Strategic Flood Management Officer from Bucks County Council (BCC) gave a verbal update on the role of the County Council with regards to flooding.

Bucks County Council is responsible for all rivers within the County. Should a landowner wish to alter a river, they must obtain the Council’s consent. If they fail to obtain this, they shall be fined for the corrective works.

Awareness of flooding issues relies on local authority reporting, it was reported there was a severe lack of information about highway drainage assets and their state of maintenance. Members were informed that the County Council tended to be reactive rather than pro-active in dealing with drainage matters, and it tended to be matters raised by members and parishes that received attention in the absence of a formal planned maintenance programme.

Members were invited to contribute with any information they had, and email it to strategicfloodmanagement@buckscc.gov.uk.

BCC communication with Parish Councils took place via local area forums. When a flood incident took place, team members aimed to go out to the affected area. Members suggested it would be useful for Parish Councils to receive the minutes of the Strategic Flood Management Committee.

Reference was made to drainage issues at Farnham Lane, North Burnham and the officer said he would look at this.

Helen Harding, Principal Planner for South Bucks explained to Members that officers worked together with the water authorities at the Local Plan stage.

RESOLVED – That Thames Water, Affinity and Buckinghamshire County Council be thanked for their presentations.