Recommendations & Conclusions
5 items
6
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Flooding
Deferred
It is critical that the considerable outlay of public money through the Government’s £5.2 billion capital investment in flood defences is not wasted through a failure to adequately resource the maintenance of new and existing assets. We are concerned Flooding 47 by the evidence we have received about existing shortcomings …
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It is critical that the considerable outlay of public money through the Government’s £5.2 billion capital investment in flood defences is not wasted through a failure to adequately resource the maintenance of new and existing assets. We are concerned Flooding 47 by the evidence we have received about existing shortcomings in asset maintenance, and this situation will only be exacerbated by the twin pressures of climate change and increased capital funding if the Government does not act. We recognise the Government’s stated commitment to ongoing maintenance, but a step change is needed. The Government should put in place a long-term resource budget settlement for flood and coastal erosion risk management, that is aligned with the increased multi-year capital investment programme, so that the Environment Agency and others are able to effectively plan and maintain the network of flood and coastal risk assets.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of maintaining flood defence assets, citing past and current increases in maintenance funding. However, it defers a decision on establishing a long-term resource budget settlement by stating that future spending will be determined by the 2021 Spending Review.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
9
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Flooding
Deferred
We welcome the focus on protecting not just homes, but also other properties. It is crucial that the success or otherwise of flood risk management interventions is closely monitored, in order to demonstrate progress toward strategic objectives and ensure value for money. We are particularly concerned that the Environment Agency …
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We welcome the focus on protecting not just homes, but also other properties. It is crucial that the success or otherwise of flood risk management interventions is closely monitored, in order to demonstrate progress toward strategic objectives and ensure value for money. We are particularly concerned that the Environment Agency has no plans to monitor progress on the number of properties that will be better protected in the next capital investment programme. The Government should provide further detail on its intentions for a “national set of indicators”, including how they will monitor progress toward a defined objective for flood resilience, and address shortcomings of the “homes/properties better protected” metric. (Paragraph 39) 48 Flooding
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Government response AI summary
The government commits to developing a national set of indicators, strengthening reporting, and tracking progress on the new capital programme, but defers providing further detail on these proposals 'in due course'.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
25
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Flooding
Deferred
A step change is needed in promoting the uptake of appropriate property flood resilience measures. It is important that reforms to Flood Re to incentivise PFR form part of wider work aimed at encouraging people to improve the flood resilience of their own property. We welcome the Government’s call for …
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A step change is needed in promoting the uptake of appropriate property flood resilience measures. It is important that reforms to Flood Re to incentivise PFR form part of wider work aimed at encouraging people to improve the flood resilience of their own property. We welcome the Government’s call for evidence on ways to accelerate PFR uptake, and the findings of our inquiry should inform this work. Following its current call for evidence, the Government should publish an action plan of new measures to deliver a significant increase in the uptake of property flood resilience, including identifying where more evidence is needed on which measures will be most appropriate and effective. The Government should consult on amending building regulations to ensure an ambitious level of flood resilience in new build and reinstatement works. The Government should also consider developing a consistent national funding stream for PFR measures.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the need for further action on property flood resilience and is currently running a consultation and call for evidence that cover the issues raised, stating they will review responses and provide an update on next steps, thereby deferring specific commitments.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
30
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Flooding
Deferred
While the uptake of sustainable drainage systems has improved in recent years, we are concerned that the installation of high-quality SuDS features delivering multiple environmental benefits may still be insufficiently incentivised. The evidence we have received clearly shows that the non-statutory approach to promoting SuDS, coupled with the persistence of …
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While the uptake of sustainable drainage systems has improved in recent years, we are concerned that the installation of high-quality SuDS features delivering multiple environmental benefits may still be insufficiently incentivised. The evidence we have received clearly shows that the non-statutory approach to promoting SuDS, coupled with the persistence of the automatic right to connect surface water drainage to the public sewer, is not working. The Government has not adequately explained why it believes the commencement of Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, which is widely supported, is the wrong approach, and we consider that the case should be re-examined. The Government, as part of its ambitious plans to manage flood risk, should commit to ending the automatic right to connect to the public sewer, and consult on measures to improve the uptake of high-quality SuDS features. This consultation must include a legislative option, commencing Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 or making equivalent statutory provision, along with a commitment to further consultation with local authorities on any new burdens arising from this.
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Government response AI summary
The government highlights existing planning policy on SuDS and mentions an ongoing research project, but defers a commitment to ending the automatic right to connect to the public sewer or consulting on Schedule 3, stating these issues are being considered by the Storm Overflows Taskforce …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
31
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Flooding
Deferred
The Government should explain how it will promote the retrofitting of SuDS and an integrated approach to water management through measures such as rainwater harvesting.
Government response AI summary
The government details its commitment to an integrated approach to water management and highlights ongoing work, including a response to a consultation on water use, a £200m innovation programme to gather evidence on flood management (including SuDS), and a commissioned research project, deferring a clear …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs