At District Council we have also been working to combat flooding and improve drains and waterways across the district. We know development plays a role so we are looking critically at new building across the area to make sure it helps rather than adds to flooding and wastewater problems. In the meantime we will work on the County Council and press Thames Water and the Environment Agency to fulfil their duties – to make our rivers and streams clean and healthy, and build flood defences that work.

We will also bring in proper emergency plans to take action to protect residents and homes when flooding is forecast. The response must be swift, well coordinated, focus on the many residents who can’t lug sandbags around and whose homes are at most risk.