Agenda item

To receive and consider the report of the Operations Manager.

With the permission of the Chair, this item was moved up the agenda so the members of public could hear the discussion and outcome.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Operations Manager who also provided a verbal update.

Members were pleased to hear that following confirmation the owners of the ditch were the Town Council, that work had been carried out to clear it of vegetation and a plan had been put in place for its regular future maintenance.

Officers reported that details of the mapping of the area from Thames Water had yet to be received and were hopeful that an upcoming meeting with the Environment Agency would provide further information on their activity in the area around the allotments.

The Committee heard that the requested historical topographical survey had now been received, and they discussed the allocation of £2,500 to instruct a hydrologist to complete a flood survey. A Member raised that Oxfordshire County Council could potentially be approached to provide grant funding to cover the cost of the survey or potential works.

Members were unanimous in agreement that the survey proceed without delay in order to explore options at pace.

Recommended:

1.      That, the report and verbal update be noted and,

2.      That, Officers instruct a hydrologist survey to be carried out up to a cost of £2,500 from the Allotments General Reserve.