Minutes of the Meeting of the FLOOD PANEL of the ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE Held on FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER 1998 at 2.00 Pm

Minutes of the meeting of the FLOOD PANEL of the ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE held on FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER 1998 at 2.00 pm

Present: Councillor Seymour (Chair) Councillors Bristow, Ellis, E Henderson, Mortimer and Stanyer

Officers: I Haynes (Development Plans Manager), C Hughes (Bridges and Engineering Design Manager), A Bartholomew (Emergency Planning Officer) and J Shaw (Senior Committee Manager)

FP5/99 MINUTES RESOLVED - That the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 August 1998 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record subject to the inclusion of an additional resolution in Minute FP3/99 as follows: “8. That officers write to Members asking them of their knowledge and experience of floods in their local wards”. The Panel noted that some action in response to the Minutes was still outstanding - an article in the Messenger, and consultation with local councils. Ian Haynes explained the intention to consult with local councils on their knowledge of local flooding once new floodplain maps had been received from the Environment Agency later this year.

FP6/99 THE GOOD FRIDAY AND EASTER WEEKEND FLOODING - APRIL 1998 The Panel received a report that outlined the background to the Easter weekend flooding and the responses and actions taken by the Authority in response to the floods. RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

FP7/99 PRESENTATION BY THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY The Panel received a presentation from Nigel Woonton of the Environment Agency on its role and responsibilities. The Panel noted that the Environment Agency was responsible to the Flood Defence Committees and the funding structure specific to flood defence/warning. The Agency had produced a five year plan that would lead to a system being in place by 2001 whereby 80% of properties at risk of flooding would receive advance warning. The target time for this was a minimum of 2 ½ hours.

FLOOD PANEL 9 OCTOBER 1998 PAGE 1 L:\Resources IT\mel\Minutes to be converted\1998-99\enl_Minutes_130134_MINUTES.doc CHAIR’S INITIALS………….. The Agency was also developing plans with Emergency Services and local councils and developing warning systems via co-ordination with local radio and TV and using an automatic voice messaging system. The Panel thanked Mr Woonton for his presentation and asked specific questions on the issues raised by the presentation that included the 2½ hour warning, trigger points (for measuring river levels and issuing flood warnings), the abandoned Newport Pagnell Flood Alleviation Scheme, protocols for flood warnings, target dates for additional trigger points on the Ouse and Ouzel, balancing lakes, the proposed joint study of surface water drainage requirements for the expansion of the City, and an education programme.

FP8/99 PRESENTATION BY THE INTERNAL DRAINAGE BOARD The Panel received a presentation from Barry Easom on the responsibilities and duties of the Internal Drainage Boards. The Panel noted that the Internal Drainage Board was formed in 1930 by the Land Drainage Act. The Panel noted areas at risk most of which were in drainage districts. The Boards were independent public bodies with a number of appointments from this Authority. Milton Keynes was in the remit of the River Ouzel and Buckingham Internal Drainage Boards which were represented on the Flood Defence Committee. The Panel noted that the Internal Drainage Boards were responsible for advice on land drainage and flood defence. The Panel thanked Mr Easom for his presentation and asked specific questions on the issues raised by his presentation.

FP9/99 KICKLES BANK, NEWPORT PAGNELL The Panel considered a report which advised of progress in restoration of Kickles Bank, Newport Pagnell. The Panel noted that following the Easter Flood, a breached bank was identified near Lakes Lane, Newport Pagnell. Although a third land owner had yet to be contacted, funding for the works had been gained from the Environment Agency and the Buckingham and Bedford Drainage Boards on an equally shared basis with the Authority. RESOLVED - 1. That progress on this work which should be completed this financial year be noted. 2. That officers write to the Panel confirming: (a) who the third party is and if he/she has been contacted; and (b) where the budget (in the region of £5000) is being funded from.

FLOOD PANEL 9 OCTOBER 1998 PAGE 2 L:\Resources IT\mel\Minutes to be converted\1998-99\enl_Minutes_130134_MINUTES.doc CHAIR’S INITIALS………….. PF10/99 DATE OF NEXT MEETING RESOLVED - 1. That copies of the Bye Report into the Easter flooding be obtained from the Environment Agency and distributed to all Members of the Panel before the next meeting. 2. That the final meeting of the Panel be a Member-focused discussion, to agree what action should be taken in relation to future planning policy for development in the floodplain; the provision of information for areas liable to flooding; and lobbying central government. 3. That the meeting be held on Friday 13 November 1998 at 3.00 pm.

THE CHAIR CLOSED THE MEETING AT 4.45 PM

FLOOD PANEL 9 OCTOBER 1998 PAGE 3 L:\Resources IT\mel\Minutes to be converted\1998-99\enl_Minutes_130134_MINUTES.doc CHAIR’S INITIALS…………..