Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 18
18
Accepted
Prioritise implementation of Schedule 3 to improve sustainable drainage systems for new construction
Recommendation
Under Schedule 3 to the Floods and Water Management Act 2010, any construction work that has drainage implications would need approval from the local authority that its drainage met national standards for sustainable drainage before it is connected to the public sewer. This schedule has never been implemented for England. Defra told us it is committed to enacting the schedule, but does not expect this will be until the end of 2024. This additional work will add to each local authorities’ burden.34 This should now become a priority for the development as some new sustainable drainage systems are not being properly designed and installed and need to be better supervised by empowering the lead flood authority to do so. 26 Q 14 27 C&AG’s Report, para 1 28 Q 49 29 Qq 17, 60–61; C&AG’s Report, para 13 30 Q 17 31 Q 24; Committee of Public Accounts: Managing food risk. 45th report of Session 2019–21, HC 931, February 2021, para 2 32 C&AG’s Report, para 2.22 33 Qq 17, 37 34 Qq 55–56; Letter from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Environment Agency to the Public Accounts Committee, dated 7 December 2023 Resilience to fooding 13 2 Impact The number of properties the programme will protect
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, stating it has committed in the Plan for Water to requiring standardised sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) in new developments, subject to final decisions and consultation. It is also supporting local authorities with training and guidance to improve planning decisions and manage surface water flood risk.
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.