The Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss flood risk management and receive an update from the Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust (ESTH). The committee was also scheduled to review the minutes from its previous meeting.

Flood Risk Management

The committee was scheduled receive an update on flood risk management in the borough. The report pack included an invitation to representatives from Thames Water and the Environment Agency to answer questions from the committee.

According to the report, flood risk management is becoming increasingly important for the council, particularly given the declared climate emergency. The council recognises its responsibility to protect Sutton's communities and works with partners to minimise flood risk. This is reflected in the Sutton Environment Strategy and Climate Response Action Plan.

The council is designated as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, and has powers to manage flood risk from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses¹. The report stated that five bodies across the borough have flood risk management powers and responsibilities, each with their own governance structures. These are:

• The council, as Lead Local Flood Authority
• The council, as Highway Authority
• Transport for London
• Thames Water
• The Environment Agency

This system which was evolved can make it difficult to confirm which is the relevant body when a problem occurs.

Sutton's Multi-agency Flood Plan 2022 (MAFP) outlines the plans of all organisations with emergency planning roles under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.

The Sutton Local Flood Risk Management Strategy is aligned with the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy. According to the report pack, 1,866 properties are estimated to be at high risk of flooding in the borough.

The report also referred to a flood event on 23 September 2024, where 58.2mm of rain fell in 24 hours, and a subsequent statutory flood investigation.

The report included updates on the following flood alleviation projects:

• Cuddington Recreation Ground Worcester Park Flood Alleviation Scheme: This scheme involves de-culverting a section of the Beverley Brook and creating a new wetland and two basins. It aims to reduce the frequency and impact of flooding to properties downstream of the Rec. Construction works are due to commence in Spring / Summer 2026, subject to a suitable quotation being received from contractors.
• Beddington Area: A review has been undertaken to clarify the highest risks, opportunities, constraints and potential sources of funding in the Beddington area. Internal flooding of property will be prioritised for mitigation work.
• SuDS in Sutton Schools (SiSS): This programme built sustainable drainage systems² (SuDS) in five schools and the Denmark Road Offices, and paid for an Education and Community Outreach officer to educate pupils and the wider public about sustainable drainage. The project is now being closed down.
• Additional Flood Measures: Funding is available to implement small features, such as sustainable drainage, to mitigate flood risk.

The report also stated that between April and September 2025, the LLFA received 20 consultations from the Local Planning Authority regarding new development proposals.

Appendix A to the report pack contained the Sutton Local Flood Risk Management Strategy Action Plan.

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

The committee was scheduled to receive an update from the Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust (ESTH). According to the report pack, Alex Shaw, Interim Managing Director ESTH, was scheduled to present the report, as James Blythe was undertaking the role of Interim Group Chief Executive.

The report provided key information about the trust, including:

• An operational update, including performance and finances
• Plans to prepare for winter
• Information on a historical pay and pensions issue
• Information on the maintenance of the current estate
• A review of the Birthing Centre at St George's Hospital [^4]

The report stated that the plan to build a new Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Sutton was unlikely to start until 2032, and that the trust was working to mitigate any potential failures to critical infrastructure.

The report also stated that the government has pledged £12 million of investment in the current state of the hospitals, with £7.6m of this set to go towards St Helier Hospital. However, the report made clear that this figure is significantly below what is needed to maintain the current estate, citing a maintenance backlog of £150m.

Key information from the report included:

• Performance: The report provided headlines around performance for emergency care and waiting times, focusing on diagnostics and cancer at Epsom and St Helier against national service standards.
• Finance: The Trust has submitted a deficit financial plan of £5.7m for 2025/26. This is predicated on a significant Cost Improvement Programme of £67.7m and deficit support funding of £41.6m. The report noted that achieving this plan will be very challenging.
• Historical pay and pensions issue: The report gave the background to this issue affecting staff and measures being taken to address it.
• The Estate: The report outlined how the government's pledge of £12 million to invest in the estate at Epsom and St Helier will be allocated, while noting that is significantly below the investment needed to cover the current maintenance backlog (£150m).
• St George's Carmen Birthing Centre: The report outlined the current review taking place, in light of falling birth rates and its underutilisation.

According to the report, birth rates at the Carmen Birthing Centre have dropped by over 50% in the five years, and birth choices at booking have also declined, meaning the centre is underused. The report stated that other options were being reviewed, and that no decisions had been made.