The Windsor Forum meeting included a briefing on the development of a new Local Flood Risk Management Strategy, a presentation on the council's approach to Heathrow Airport, and a town manager update. The forum was also scheduled to discuss issues for future meetings and note the forward plan.

Local Flood Risk Management Strategy

Ben Crampin, Flood Risk Manager, was scheduled to provide a briefing on the development of a new Local Flood Risk Management Strategy. The current strategy was published in 2014, and a new strategy is required to align with updated national and local policies.

The council has a duty to develop and maintain a Local Flood Risk Management Strategy, detailing how local flood risk will be managed in its area. Local flood risk includes risk from:

• Surface Water
• Ground Water
• Ordinary Watercourses

The strategy will set out objectives and actions to manage these risks, with all Risk Management Authorities working towards these objectives. The report pack clarifies that the council is not obligated to prevent flooding to properties, as this responsibility lies with landowners.

The draft strategy includes three sections: principles, objectives, and action plans. The four draft principles are:

• Longer Term Approach: The strategy is planned to span from 2026 to 2041.
• Be Adaptable to the Changing Climate: Methods used to manage flood risk need to adapt to increasingly wetter winters and more frequent, intense summer storms.
• Taking a Catchment Approach: Managing flood risk throughout a catchment increases opportunities for managing specific flooding issues.
• Community Resilience and Responsibility: Residents, landowners, and communities have a significant role in managing local flood risk.

The draft strategy outlines eight objectives:

1. Data and Information: Improve data held regarding flood risk within the borough and improve data sharing between authorities.
2. Section 19 Flooding Investigations: Provide clarity and a framework for monitoring flooding incident investigations, as well as establishing consistent data collection protocols.
3. Responsibilities of Risk Management Authorities: Ensure information about the relevant Risk Management Authority for different types of flooding is easily available to the public.
4. Maintenance of Authority Owned Assets: Have clear policies and processes for prioritising works across the borough.
5. Landowner Responsibilities: Ensure landowners are aware of their responsibilities for maintaining watercourses, as set out in section 25 of the Land Drainage Act 1991[^2], and provide a framework for using enforcement powers under the Land Drainage Act 1991. [^2]: The Land Drainage Act 1991 consolidates certain enactments relating to the drainage of land.
6. Building the Resilience of Communities to Flooding across the Borough: Inform residents about how they can manage their own risk to their property or community, through measures such as Property Flood Resilience[^3] or emergency plans. [^3]: Property Flood Resilience (PFR) refers to measures that reduce the risk of flood damage to buildings.
7. Investment in Flood Risk Mitigation: Set out the framework for how schemes are chosen and how external funding can be sourced, explore opportunities to work with other Risk Management Authorities, and implement flood alleviation projects such as Natural Flood Management[^4] and Sustainable Drainage Systems[^5] (SuDS). [^4]: Natural Flood Management (NFM) involves using natural processes to reduce the risk of flooding. [^5]: Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) are designed to manage surface water runoff in a way that mimics natural drainage processes.
8. Planning, Placemaking and Sustainable Drainage: Focus on how the council carries out its role as Statutory Consultee for surface water provision within major planning applications and how SuDS can be better incorporated into the wider urban environment.

The Windsor Forum was invited to provide feedback on potential issues or themes of issues within their wards to help shape the action plans for the final draft of the document.

The Flood Risk Team is undertaking engagement sessions between September and November, with a final draft expected by the end of 2025.

Council Approach to Heathrow

Chris Joyce, Assistant Director of Placemaking Partnerships and Sustainability, was scheduled to give a presentation on the council's approach to Heathrow Airport. This presentation was scheduled to be taken to the cabinet for approval.

Town Manager Update

Paul Roach, Windsor and Eton Town Centre Manager, was scheduled to provide an update on the town centre.

Other Matters

The forum was also scheduled to note the forward plan and discuss issues for future forums.