Amended 16/3/2009
AN OPEN LETTER TO COUNCILLOR DAVID BURBAGE (PLUS FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE)
From Ewan Larcombe, 67 Lawn Close, Datchet SL3 9LA. Tel 01753 544302
14 March 2009.
Dear David
I am not just upset – I am angry, horrified and appalled that you and your Conservative colleagues voted against Councillor Beer’s motion at your Council Meeting on 24 February. In my opinion you have failed the electorate. The use of the Jubilee River during the Thames flood event of 2003 led to hundreds of households downstream of Windsor being affected by flooding for the first time since 1947. I agree that in the years that have passed some of the issues have been resolved, but there are a number of major concerns still outstanding. In particular there are Thames dredging, watercourse maintenance, Jubilee River operation and flood warning problems that remain unresolved after six years and the probability of flooding is ever-increasing. Furthermore I find it impossible to comprehend how Councillor Grey can state that many of the problems are minor ones, when his attendance at Parish Council Meetings tends towards zero.
For your convenience I have reproduced below Councillor Beer’s motion, associated debate and voting details from the Minutes of the meeting.
I look forward to receiving a prompt and detailed reply as to how you are going to rectify this injustice to the people living and working downstream of Windsor.
Regards
Ewan Larcombe
Motion by Cllr Beer at 24/2/2009 RBWM Council Meeting
"This Council notes the ongoing problems with Ordinary Water Course and RiverThames management and demands that regular Councillor and community liaison with the Environment Agency is restored via the Thames Flood Forum, and that the support of other Councils and the local MPs be sought to address these matters."
In introducing the Motion, Councillor Beer referred to recent floods that had been
experienced by residents in Old Windsor, which resulted in two roads being closed and hundreds of Borough sandbags being used. Councillor Beer then went to explain how the Environment Agency had taken over responsibility for watercourses after they were classified as Enmained Rivers or Critical Ordinary Watercourses, and commented that this task had proved too great for the Agency as problems had escalated.
Councillor Beer also reported that he asked Cabinet on several occasions to seek the revival of the Thames Flood Forum in which several Boroughs and the Environment Agency had monitored and acted on flood problems since the 2003 flooding, and associated issues with the Jubilee River. Councillor Beer commented that the Agency had, however, been unco-operative and problems had continued. He also referred to a Conference he had recently attended, following which he received notification about a Lower Thames Flood Forum, and commented that the Council should be represented on this Forum. He reported that this Forum would only consider matters downstream of Datchet.
Councillor Beer concluded by urging all Members to support his Motion for
the urgent restoration of the Thames Flood Forum to enable regular face-to-face discussions with the Environment Agency to protect the residents’ interests.
Councillor Mrs Napier seconded the Motion, and spoke briefly in favour of the Motion.
Councillor Grey questioned the Motion, and commented that many of the problems cited were minor ones. He outlined discussions that the Council had had with Thames Water with specific issues, and also outlined in detail the operation of the Thames Flood Forum, and the Flood Risk Action Groups before that. Councillor Grey spoke of his involvement and experiences in the production of the Flooding report which had been issued by those Groups. He concluded by commenting that the former Thames Flood Forum had run its course, that the Jubilee River now appeared to be operating okay, and referred to the establishment of the Lower Thames Flood Forum.
A named vote was called for on the Motion as follows:
For: Councillors Adams, Baskerville, Beer, Mrs Herdson, Mrs Howes, Mrs Khan,
Mackay, Mrs Napier, Mrs Newbound, Mrs Pitteway, Mrs Proctor, Werner, and Wiles.
Against: Councillors Mrs Barton, Mrs Bateson, Bicknell, Burbage, Mrs Bursnall, T.Burnsall, Dudley, Etherington, J. Evans, Mrs S Evans, Gard, Grey, Harris, Hilton, MrsHunt, Kellaway, Mrs Kemp, Mrs Knight, Lenton, Mrs Luxton, Majeed, Maxwell, McBride, Meadowcroft, Muir, Mrs Quick, Rayner, Saunders, Story, Stretton, D. Wilson,and Mrs Yong.
For – 13; Against 32.
The Motion was lost.
COUNCILLOR BURBAGE - REPLY TO ME (added 16/3/2009)
-----Original Message-----
From: Cllr Burbage [mailto:Cllr.Burbage@RBWM.gov.uk]
Sent: 16 March 2009 16:47
To: Ewan Larcombe
Subject: RE: Conservative voting against Cllr Beer's motion supporting Thames
Flood Forum at RBWM Council Meeting 24/2/2009
Ewan
Did you send this to the press (ie do I need to respond there as well)? Obviously I shall reply
David
AND MY REPLY TO COUNCILLOR BURBAGE (added 16/3/2009)
David
Indeed not only to the Press and all the other people on my list who are interested in this continuing fiasco, but also the letter is published on my Jubilee River website for the whole world to see.
For your convenience the link is: http://www.jubileeriver.co.uk/090314%20-%20Cllrs%20vote%20against%20forum.htm
Regards
Ewan
