Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee

Recommendation 29

29 Deferred

Central government lacks formal review or assurance of local emergency plans and risk registers

Conclusion
We asked the witnesses whether central government reviews local emergency plans and monitors community risk registers. The Cabinet Office told us that LRF plans are not examined and assured by central government, noting that the powers exist to do this but not the funding for implementation. It also highlighted that the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities monitors LRFs’ performance against aspects of legislation to provide assistance rather than to perform an inspection or enforcement role.53 We also received written evidence from the National Flood Forum indicating that the lack of local assurance has limited the ability of communities to understand how effectively their LRF is managing flood resilience.54
Government Response Summary
The government is deferring a response pending the outcome of a review of national resilience overseen by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
Government Response Deferred
HM Government Deferred
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster announced that he would oversee a review of national resilience. A Treasury Minute will be published once this review has concluded. The Cabinet Office will write to the new Committee in the meantime.