Issue - meetings

To receive and note a report on the River Thames Scheme.

The Committee received an update on the River Thames Scheme which will reduce flood risk to communities in the Surrey and South West London area.  The scheme will involve the construction of a new river channel which will be built in two sections at Spelthorne and Runnymede. 

Councillor Leighton expressed concern that the report included the widening of the Desborough Cut as she understood that plans had advanced from that  and a new Thames landscape strategy was proposed which included rewilding of the island instead.  The Group Head of Commissioning and Transformation advised the update only included publicly available information, and it was her understanding that the rewilding was a new plan from the consultants which was under consideration.

Councillor Mooney, as a County Councillor, undertook to obtain an update from the Surrey Cabinet member responsible on the financial aspects of the loan for defence scheme and circulate this to members.

It was anticipated that consultations would take place with residents in autumn of this year.

The Committee were advised that the next edition of the Spelthorne Bulletin would contain information on the River Thames scheme and advise residents of action to take and relevant contact numbers in preparation for any adverse weather conditions.

The Committee resolved to note the update.