Issue - meetings

Report and appendix attached.

The report and presentation before members updated on the position relating to flooding in the borough.

The report detailed that areas in the borough due to their nature and topography were at risk from flooding.

There had been 4 noticeable flooding events in recent years these included August 2016 when the River Rom flooded in the north of the borough, August 2020 when Rainham and Hornchurch had been affected and 2 events of flooding in 2021 where parts of the north of the borough and Romford had been affected.

The presentation highlighted that there were a number of rivers and tributaries across the borough which generally flowed from north to south towards the River Thames.

Officers advised that in the past 20yrs rainfall events had become frequent and intense throughout the UK which had led to localised areas of flooding.

The presentation also highlighted the relevant flood risk management authorities that were responsible for maintaining respective drainage assets.

Members noted that after a flooding event the council, as Lead Local Flood authority had to produce a section 19 report to investigate and record what had taken place. These reports would then be placed on the council’s website and would include the recommendations that had been provided.

The report also highlighted a number of schemes and studies that the council had put in place and whether they were ongoing or had been completed.

In response to a question relating to the maintenance of pumping stations officer advised that the section 19 reports would identify possible faults with the stations.

In response to a question relating to the floods in the north of the borough earlier this year, officers advised that on that particular evening there had been a month’s worth of rainfall in an hour and that there was no quick fix. The borough had drainage that dated back to the 1930s and there was the extra element of climate change.

In response to a question relating to sluice gates. Officers replied that the gates would be maintained by the Environment Agency. The gates could not be opened if the level of the Thames was already too high.

The Sub-Committee noted the contents of the report and presentation.