Recommendations & Conclusions
11 items
2
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Flooding
Accepted
We welcome the steps taken thus far to improve the partnership funding formula, to better take account of climate change and the wider impacts of flooding. However, it is disappointing that the Government’s call for evidence on further changes to the formula has only just been launched, and will not …
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We welcome the steps taken thus far to improve the partnership funding formula, to better take account of climate change and the wider impacts of flooding. However, it is disappointing that the Government’s call for evidence on further changes to the formula has only just been launched, and will not close until the eve of the next investment programme starting in April 2021. We believe there is more work to be done to ensure that flood capital investment protects people and property without favouring certain areas or disproportionately focussing on certain types of flooding. When considering cost-benefit analyses, natural capital should also be a factor that is taken into consideration. The Government should ensure that any further steps to address shortcomings of the flood funding formula, following the current call for evidence, are communicated and implemented as quickly as possible.
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Government response AI summary
The government confirms it will launch a public consultation following the Call for Evidence on changes to the flood funding formula. It commits to publishing and applying any changes as soon as possible within the current investment programme, balancing speed with providing adequate notice and …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
3
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Flooding
Accepted
We share the concern of our predecessor Committee about the apparent stalling of private sector contributions under the partnership funding model. The recent National Audit Office report shows the Government faces an uphill struggle to reverse the decline in private sector contributions. We welcome the steps the Government is taking …
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We share the concern of our predecessor Committee about the apparent stalling of private sector contributions under the partnership funding model. The recent National Audit Office report shows the Government faces an uphill struggle to reverse the decline in private sector contributions. We welcome the steps the Government is taking to encourage more private contributions, including reviewing guidance on corporation tax relief. However, we note with concern that the Environment Agency has said it will be challenging to secure the partnership funding needed to deliver the outcomes of the next multi-year capital investment.
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Government response AI summary
The Government defended its partnership funding approach, citing past successes and explaining that new policy actions and increased government funding will reduce the required partnership contributions, making them achievable. It committed to regularly monitoring partnership funding, including private sector contributions.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
4
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Flooding
Accepted
While we acknowledge the great value of partnership contributions from public sources, it is obvious that private sector investment is too low (as the Government has implicitly accepted), and this could contribute to uncertainty about whether schemes will be deliverable. The Government should explain how it will monitor whether the …
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While we acknowledge the great value of partnership contributions from public sources, it is obvious that private sector investment is too low (as the Government has implicitly accepted), and this could contribute to uncertainty about whether schemes will be deliverable. The Government should explain how it will monitor whether the level of partnership funding, including private sector contributions, is jeopardising the outcomes of the multi-year capital investment programme.
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Government response AI summary
The government states that partnership funding, including private sector contributions, will be regularly monitored by the Government and Environment Agency. This monitoring will occur monthly, with intensive support for high-risk schemes, to identify key risks early and enable mitigating action to prevent outcomes from being …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
11
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Flooding
Accepted
The responsibility of riparian owners to maintain watercourses so as not to increase flood risk to others is well established in common law. Obviously, individuals must first know whether they are riparian owners, and their responsibilities, if they are to be expected to discharge them. Risk management authorities also need …
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The responsibility of riparian owners to maintain watercourses so as not to increase flood risk to others is well established in common law. Obviously, individuals must first know whether they are riparian owners, and their responsibilities, if they are to be expected to discharge them. Risk management authorities also need to be properly enabled and resourced to identify and communicate the right management approaches for riparian assets, and enforce maintenance where necessary. The Government’s review of statutory responsibilities for asset maintenance should include reviewing the powers and resources of risk management authorities to communicate appropriate riparian management options, and effectively enforce responsibilities by riparian owners.
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Government response AI summary
The government accepts the recommendation, committing to ensure riparian owners are clear on their responsibilities and stating that the Environment Agency will develop and pilot new communication methods, alongside an independent review of statutory responsibilities.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
17
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Flooding
Accepted
It is widely recognised that inappropriate development in areas at risk from flooding represents a serious threat to flood resilience, particularly as the scale of the risk is 50 Flooding likely to increase with climate change. Defra must do more to integrate its approach to flood resilience across the whole …
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It is widely recognised that inappropriate development in areas at risk from flooding represents a serious threat to flood resilience, particularly as the scale of the risk is 50 Flooding likely to increase with climate change. Defra must do more to integrate its approach to flood resilience across the whole of Government, and this must include greater interaction between planning policy and approaches to managing flood risk. The Government should explain how its proposals for planning reform will contribute to better flood resilience outcomes than the current planning system. It should also explain how leadership will be provided within Government so that flood risk and planning policies are integrated within a coherent approach to climate adaptation.
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Government response AI summary
The Government highlights existing National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) provisions which aim to avoid inappropriate development in flood risk areas by directing development away from high-risk zones or ensuring safety, but does not explain how *reforms* or *new leadership* will enhance this.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
22
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Flooding
Accepted
We are very concerned that local planning authorities lack the skills base and resources to effectively factor the impacts of climate change into development decisions. While plans and individual decisions are rightly made at a local level, it is the duty of Government to provide leadership to local authorities facing …
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We are very concerned that local planning authorities lack the skills base and resources to effectively factor the impacts of climate change into development decisions. While plans and individual decisions are rightly made at a local level, it is the duty of Government to provide leadership to local authorities facing potentially significant increases in future flood risk. The Government should commit to ensuring that all local planning authorities have the powers, resources and information to effectively factor current and future flood risk into local plans, Strategic Flood Risk Assessments and individual decisions, including properly trained dedicated staff. The Environment Agency should work closely with such staff to improve strategic co-ordination around local plans. The Government should urgently undertake, and publish the findings of, a review of current capacity in local planning authorities to perform this function. (Paragraph 89) Flooding 51
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Government response AI summary
The Government acknowledges the need for local authorities to have up-to-date flood risk information, skills, and resources, citing existing training, flood mapping services, and recent changes to permitted development rights to manage flood risk, but does not commit to the requested review of capacity or …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
24
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Flooding
Accepted
We recognise the concerns of several stakeholders about site-specific Flood Risk Assessments, and the Government should use its reform of the planning system as an opportunity to investigate this issue further. The Government’s standardisation of technical supporting information should include an evaluation of the current arrangements for the preparation and …
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We recognise the concerns of several stakeholders about site-specific Flood Risk Assessments, and the Government should use its reform of the planning system as an opportunity to investigate this issue further. The Government’s standardisation of technical supporting information should include an evaluation of the current arrangements for the preparation and content of site-specific Flood Risk Assessments, and whether these adequately contribute to flood resilience objectives and public confidence.
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Government response AI summary
The government accepts the recommendation, stating that proposed planning reforms include standardisation of technical supporting information for flood risk, and the Environment Agency is developing a new National Flood Risk Assessment to provide more accessible and trusted data by 2024.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
26
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Flooding
Accepted
It is essential that the Government works with Flood Re and the insurance industry to identify and address continuing obstacles to the uptake of insurance among people at risk from flooding. The Government should set out what further research will be undertaken, building on the Blanc review of insurance in …
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It is essential that the Government works with Flood Re and the insurance industry to identify and address continuing obstacles to the uptake of insurance among people at risk from flooding. The Government should set out what further research will be undertaken, building on the Blanc review of insurance in Doncaster, to better understand and address barriers to uptake of household flood insurance cover.
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Government response AI summary
The Government accepts the recommendation and is repeating the 2018 research into flood insurance affordability and availability for households and SMEs, with the study expected to commence in spring 2021 to inform future policy.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
29
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Flooding
Accepted
Water and sewerage companies have an important role to play in managing flood risk and we welcome moves to put drainage planning by companies on a statutory footing. It will be necessary for other Risk Management Authorities and owners of drainage assets to be involved in preparing and maintaining these …
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Water and sewerage companies have an important role to play in managing flood risk and we welcome moves to put drainage planning by companies on a statutory footing. It will be necessary for other Risk Management Authorities and owners of drainage assets to be involved in preparing and maintaining these plans. The Government should explain how the statutory provisions for water company Drainage and Sewerage Management Plans will ensure appropriate co-operation and consultation with other Risk Management Authorities and owners of drainage assets.
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Government response AI summary
The Government accepts the recommendation, explaining that statutory Drainage and Sewerage Management Plans will ensure co-operation through their comprehensive assessment process, existing duties for risk management authorities to cooperate, and legislation via the Environment Bill.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
32
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Flooding
Accepted
Working with natural processes is an important part of a holistic approach to flood risk management. There are several initiatives that could serve as delivery vehicles for natural flood management, including the new Environmental Land Management scheme, and a catchment-based approach requires join-up between these policies to ensure that natural …
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Working with natural processes is an important part of a holistic approach to flood risk management. There are several initiatives that could serve as delivery vehicles for natural flood management, including the new Environmental Land Management scheme, and a catchment-based approach requires join-up between these policies to ensure that natural flood management interventions are appropriately targeted and incentivised. We recommend that the Government should scale up natural flood management, whilst ensuring that the measures are appropriate to local conditions and form part of a catchment-based approach. The new Environmental Land Management scheme provides an opportunity to do this. (Paragraph 131) Flooding 53
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Government response AI summary
The Government accepts the recommendation, affirming its commitment to natural flood management by doubling nature-based solutions, using various funding programmes, and integrating it into the new Environmental Land Management scheme, with ongoing evaluations to influence future policy.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
34
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Flooding
Accepted
We have listened with great concern to evidence that local communities feel disengaged and ignored in decisions relevant to flood risk. It is clear that, where risk management authorities do engage with local people, this engagement is often not perceived as meaningful or impactful. Communities must not be treated as …
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We have listened with great concern to evidence that local communities feel disengaged and ignored in decisions relevant to flood risk. It is clear that, where risk management authorities do engage with local people, this engagement is often not perceived as meaningful or impactful. Communities must not be treated as groups who have things done to them, but as vital delivery partners in the Government’s approach to building resilience. While involving people in decisions that affect their lives is an end in itself, we have also been impressed by the evidence from Flood Action Groups about the positive practical benefits that meaningful engagement with local people can bring. In pursuing its ambition for flood resilience, the Government must ensure that the benefits of meaningful engagement are maximised. The Government should work with the voluntary sector to develop guidance for all risk management and planning authorities on how to meaningfully engage with local people.
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Government response AI summary
The Government accepts the recommendation, committing to work with communities and the third sector to ensure meaningful community engagement in future local flood risk planning, and outlining how the Environment Agency will develop and share training resources for risk management authorities.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs