Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 17
17
Accepted
Many local authorities lack staff capabilities and funding for surface water flooding
Conclusion
The Agency is not the lead risk authority for surface water flooding: this falls under the remit of a number of bodies (such as the Highways Agency) with local authorities having lead responsibility.30 Local authorities’ core budget is not ring-fenced for flooding and we have previously raised concerns over the level of revenue funding available to local authorities.31 The NAO’s survey found that 60% of local authorities did not think they had the staff capabilities to undertake their role effectively and more than half said they did not have the funding to undertake their role effectively.32 The Agency told us that there are some local authorities that do excellent work on surface water flooding but there are others that do not have the expertise needed in hydrology or the resources to plan appropriately. It is working with local authorities to increase their capability by providing training courses and websites with guidance.33
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and states the recommendation is implemented, highlighting commitments in the Plan for Water for SuDS, Defra's review of skills gaps, and the Agency's ongoing support to local authorities through training, webinars, and a new guidance platform. The Agency also commits to work with local authorities to understand and address future training needs.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 4.2 The government committed in the Plan for Water (April 2023) to requiring standardised sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) in new developments, subject to final decisions on scope, threshold, and process, following consultation that will take place shortly. 4.3 The government recognises that there needs to be sufficient skills within the public and private sectors to support government ambitions to ensure that SuDS are an integral part of development, as well as expertise in their construction and maintenance. 4.4 Defra has published the Review of skills gap and training requirements for the implementation of SuDS and Schedule 3 to the Flood and Water Management Act (2010), this was completed in April 2023. This report assesses the current skill set within England, what additional skills are needed and how these skills will be developed and maintained in order to deliver more and improved SuDS. It will help local authorities and the wider SuDS industry in their preparedness for the implementation of SuDS in new developments. 4.5 The department is already working with DLUHC to ensure a smooth implementation of these commitments and will continue to do so. 4b. PAC recommendation: The Agency should prioritise its work to provide guidance and training for local authorities on surface water flooding, including sharing examples of good practice. 4.6 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Spring 2025 4.7 The Agency recognises that lead local flood authorities (local authorities) are responsible for managing surface water flood risks. However, the Agency, alongside its operational role for managing flood risk from rivers and the sea have an important strategic overview/leadership role for all sources of flooding, including surface water. This is set out within the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy for England. This means the Agency is uniquely placed to convene those working on surface water, share best practice and enable training. 4.8 The Agency is already supporting local authorities with commitments included within the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy Roadmap to 2026. A recent example are the webinars and training delivered jointly with the Town and Country Planning Association to over 200 local planning authorities to improve planning decisions. 4.9 The Agency has recently developed a Supporting Flood and Coast Projects site. This aims to give all risk management authorities equal access to support, tools, guidance and learning materials. E-learning modules are also being made available through this platform. 4.10 The Agency recognises that the needs of local authorities differ. Therefore, it will work with local authority representatives to understand their training needs and build on the existing work to fill any gaps identified. The Agency will also collate and share best practice from across all risk management authorities to enable more efficient and effective management of surface water flood risk.