Hounslow Council Report on Brentford Flooding

The scrutiny review can be read on the council website .

The executive summary of the report available in full at the above link reads as follows:

1.1 As ward councillors and scrutiny members we are all aware of the impact of these recent events on our residents, businesses and surrounding area and it was felt quite strongly that further lessons should be identified to help improve plans in response to an emergency.

1.2 The areas of communication; Information flow; leadership; forward planning and compensation are areas where we have made useful recommendations (see appendix 1).

1.3 Although the result of a one off meeting and additional research, there are identifiable overlaps with the recent work of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee which looked into the e-coli O157 outbreak at Feltham Hill Infant and Nursery school.

1.4 Long term, we are concerned that continued pressure through housing developments, including on flood plains, could lead to more pressure on the mains system.

1.5 The flooding incidents illustrate the need for better joined up working and foresight in ensuring that our residents and businesses are adequately prepared and protected to a high degree from the likelihood of further incidents and their aftermath.

1.6 This report is prepared following a presentation and discussions with Thames Water, officers from Hounslow Homes and relevant internal officers and presents the recommendations that members of the Housing & Environment scrutiny Panel have decided to put to the Executive to aid in any future incidents that might arise.

1.7 By the time the Panel meeting had taken place, all those involved had learned some immediate lessons from the first incident and took these into account when dealing with the second incident.