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The consultation presents Defra's proposals to implement the requirements for sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) in new and redeveloped sites in England, which are provided for in Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act (2010). The Welsh Government will be consulting separately about implementation in Wales.
They welcome your views on the:
Defra have recently published a document that summarises the responses to the consultation on the availability of capital funding from central Government for individual flood and costal defence projects around the country.
In November 2010 Defra launched a number of consultations regarding how risks relating to flooding and coastal erosion should be managed in England in the future. The main consultation, on a draft National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy, was accompanied by one proposing to change the way in which capital funding is allocated to individual flood and coastal defence projects around the country.
To access the document click here
This introductory guide explains how the way that Government funding of flood and coastal erosion risk management projects in England is changing. The new system has begun for all projects seeking financial approval.
For further information click here
Flood Water Management Act 2010 - The Strategy
The National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy for England is being developed by the Environment Agency with the support and guidance of Defra. It will set out what is happening now, and what needs to happen, to reduce the harm that flooding and coastal erosion can cause.
When finalised, the national strategy will encourage more effective risk management by enabling people, communities, business and the public sector to work together to:
The National Strategy document is available for public consultation from until 16 February 2011 on the Environment Agency website - . https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/portal/ho/flood/fcerm/strategy
Flood Water Management Act 2010 - Co-operation and sharing of information guidance
The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 (the Act) identifies new responsibilities for flood and coastal erosion risk management authorities together with a duty on all relevant authorities involved to co-operate. Section 7 of the Act states that the Environment Agency may issue guidance about how the national strategy should be applied and Section 7(6) in particular about how English flood and coastal erosion risk management authorities are to comply with duties relating to co-operation and requests for information under Sections 13(1) and 14.
The EA have proposed a two-tier approach to helping risk management authorities understand the requirements for cooperating, working in partnership and requesting information as outlined in the Act. The first tier will fulfil the requirements of the Act under Section 7(6) for statutory guidance for England, to be laid before parliament in conjunction with the English national strategy in April 2011. The second tier will be non-statutory advice, and will provide information and examples of partnership working, cooperating and information sharing. This more informal advice will aim to address more detailed, technical questions around information sharing, standards and how barriers to this might be avoided.
The National Strategy document is available for public consultation from until 16 February 2011 on the Environment Agency website - . https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/portal/ho/flood/fcerm/strategy
Flood Water Management Act - Local Flood Authorities Contribution to Sustainable Development
The Flood and Water Management Act states that a lead local flood authority, district council, internal drainage board or highways authority must aim to make a contribution towards the achievement of sustainable development when exercising a flood or coastal erosion risk management function. Defra has developed draft guidance about how authorities are to discharge their duty to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development.
The draft guidance document has now been published for consultation and can be accessed here: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/flood-sustainable-development/index.htm
Future Funding for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management
Currently the costs of managing flooding and coastal erosion almost entirely fall to the general taxpayer. This artificially constrains how much can be done as well as creating potential for an unequal distribution of costs and benefits in the system.
In the future, Defra would like to encourage additional local investment into flood and coastal erosion risk management, in order to deliver more benefits than otherwise would be possible. In doing so, each area at risk can have a bigger say in what action is taken. To achieve this, Defra has proposed a new funding approach which has been published for consultation and can be accessed here: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/flood-coastal-erosion/index.htm.
Draft Strategy for Skills and Capacity Building in Local Authorities for Local Flood Risk Management
The National Flood Emergency Framework for England
Defra announces more support for councils to tackle floods
The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 received royal assent on 8 April 2010 and will provide better, more comprehensive management of flood risk for people, homes and businesses. It will also help tackle bad debt in the water industry, improve the affordability of water bills for certain groups and individuals, and help ensure continuity of water supplies to the consumer. For full details, please click here.
The updated (March 2010) Guidance Document has been developed to inform local authorities on how to approach the development of a surface water management plan particularly in areas of high risk of surface water flooding.
The guidance reflects the roles that different organisations will take in the development of surface water management plans, and takes account of the findings from the six Defra funded first edition SWMPs. For more information please click here.
Cambridge City Council and the London Borough of Islington have provided guidance on the delivery of SUDS. The documents provide general guidance on the drivers and opportunities to deliver sustainable drainage. While a little different both documents cover the consideration of the local planning and development context in the delivery of SUDS and demonstrate how Local Authorities are embracing a more sustainable approach to drainage. Cambridge City Council will also adopt SUDS that are located within public open space and produced the Cambridge Sustainable Drainage Design and Adoption Guide that sets out the council’s requirements.
If you are developing similar guidance please contact us.
20 December, 2011
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