Advisory Committees

Following the amalgamation of our predecessor Internal Drainage Boards into the Upper Ouse Water Management Board, three local Advisory Committees were established: the Bedfordshire and River Ivel, the Buckingham and River Ouzel, and the Alconbury & Ellington Advisory Committees.

By bringing together local knowledge across a wider, more natural catchment scale, these committees ensure that local water level management, flood risk reduction, and environmental interests remain directly represented across our entire district.

While statutory public bodies must dedicate significant time to formal corporate and administrative business, these Advisory Committees are structured specifically to allow local representatives, including landowners, farmers, councillors, and community groups, to focus purely on practical drainage and local water issues. Furthermore, acting as an advisory body rather than a statutory one allows committee members to champion local interests without being exposed to the formal corporate or personal liabilities of the main Statutory Board.

Through direct representation by elected members on the main Statutory Board, the Advisory Committees ensure that local priorities, maintenance needs, and funding considerations for each Rating Sub-District are clearly understood and actioned.

Terms of Reference

The formal operational rules, voting entitlements, meeting structures, and delegated powers for the committees are set out in the official Terms of Reference document.

Click here to view the Advisory Committee Terms of Reference document

Please note: These formal Terms of Reference have been adopted specifically by the Bedfordshire & River Ivel and the Buckingham & River Ouzel Advisory Committees. The Alconbury & Ellington Advisory Committee operates independently of these specific terms.