Meeting Minutes:

Apologies were received and noted from L Brown, G New, B Brownless, and N Harris

None

Resolved: that the minutes be signed by the chairman as a true and accurate record of the meeting

None

Following offers of additional help during the December flooding event, co-option of 10 new committee members was proposed. It was

Resolved: to co-opt the following as committee members - Mick Cross, Nick Harris, Bob Hart, Mark Ilsley, Jim Kimber, Seven Knightley, Malcolm Rogers, Steve Taylor, Colin Thurstan, and Richard Williams.

Members noted the position up to 31 December 2019, and that the annual radio licence fee was paid in November at £112.50. The five-year business radio licence was due at the end of March. 
Expenditure on support for the flood event on 20 December would show in January comparisons.

Members noted the annual budget was confirmed at £360

The committee chairman described the unfolding of events of the day, from pre-daylight when it was clear there were issues with road flooding at the junction of Crouch House Road and Lingfield Road where road gullies were overwhelmed.
With the help of the Council’s groundstaff roads were closed at this point, and local traffic diverted round through the Skeynes estate. Drivers wanting to head west were directed either north to the A25, or south to the A264, as minor roads were flooding from ditches and streams. 

Staff from SDC and also Kent Highways came to town to assist. The road to Hever was also flooded west of Delaware, and closed at that point.

The lower end of the High Street part flooded, east side, from the old mill towards the stone bridge, experiencing water backing up through manhole covers and gullies. Some sandbags and FloodSax were issued on request, and a small stock moved into Doggetts Courtyard to be quickly available. The river level was very high, with just a few inches clear under the stone bridge arch, but the flood bunds contained the overflow from the Eden in the water meadows, protecting residential property.

There were only two office staff and the community warden on duty that morning, but a response room was established upstairs in Doggetts Bam by 9.30am, with radio communications set up.
Committee volunteers were called in to join councillor members, as available, and with radios went out to monitor vulnerable streets and report back.

Three Council staff in the office were able to deal with residents’ requests for information, and give advice where necessary. But there were not sufficient personnel to provide social media updates. Environment Agency officers arrived later in the morning, to observe conditions, advise and liaise.

The possibility of a severe threat of flooding, and with it the need for evacuations, was eventually down-graded after dark around 5 pm.

Committee members discussed possible action points arising from the flood event, and it was Resolved to pursue the following actions: 

• Convene a multi-agency meeting including Kent Highways, District Council, Environment Agency, and Police, with the Town Council
• Investigate function of the Southern Water pumping station
• Arrange a residents’ information meeting, with Environment Agency
• Install gully markers on Pound Green to assist with drain locations
• Instigate repair to GSBT northern terrace wall beside the Eden
• Check the Environment Agency debris screens
• Include social media in giving local updates where possible
• Investigate super-fast phone chargers for emergency use
• Provide identity lanyards to ID committee members

Flood warden training - verbal update and registrations It was noted seven committee members attended the training at SDC offices at the end of November. It became clear that many committee members previously trained were not currently registered with Kent resilience forum, and had not received the registration form circulated last year for the purpose. Some forms were provided at the meeting, and would be circulated elec­ tronically to those not present. Another Flood Warden training opportunity was possible in the summer.

It was noted the course at Eltham early this month was ahead) full by early January'. Another opportunity was in Bromley, on 4lh and 18th October, through Bromley and District Amateur Radio Society. Steven Knightley and Steve Taylor expressed interest in this training.

It was noted the annual check of the committee’s equipment and first aid kits was due. Cllrs Layland and Todd volunteered for this, along with Robert McKillop

No-one in attendance.

No-one in attendance.

Alex Dawson reported that the whole District experienced a lot of surface water flooding during December 20 event, as well as overflow from water courses.

Plans were in hand for dealing with traffic disruption resulting from a very large Traveller funeral this month, affecting Sevenoaks town centre and the A25.

Kent Resilience Forum was keeping a watching brief on the Corona Virus potential threat, and with the focus moving away from Brexit plans, the intention was to promote and review community Emergency Plans, such as that which was in place Edenbridge and was commended.

Members were advised that the three recently trained First Responders had now completed their 60 hours ‘"buddy-up” time with experienced personnel, and had their kit and uniform. A further new Responder was in process of completing her training. This would bring the total to nine in Edenbridge.

It was suggested an article in the Edenbridge Magazine would help raise the committee’s profile.

Monday 26 October 2020 at 7.30pm in Rickards Hall.

There were no new items identified for a news release, other than as at item 10.5 above.