New proposals to
give local communities a greater say in what is done to protect
them from the risks of flooding and coastal erosion have been
announced today.
Defra and the Environment Agency have published a consultation on
a new national flood and coastal erosion risk management strategy
for England which aims to allow greater local involvement in
planning and prioritising flood defences.
Outlining the new approach at the Environment Agency Annual
Conference and Association of British Insurers Flooding
Conference, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said:
“Last week in Cornwall I saw for myself the devastating impact of
flooding on families and businesses alike.
“With more extreme weather patterns predicted in the future, this
new strategy will give communities and businesses more power to
influence how they are protected, because local involvement means
plans and funding can be specifically prioritised and tailored.”
Lord Chris Smith, Environment Agency Chairman,
said:
"It is essential that communities,
businesses, local authorities, the Environment Agency and
Government work together to reduce the risk of flooding and
coastal erosion to people, property and the environment.
"We urge interested groups to take part
in this consultation, to help shape future approaches to how we
can work together to develop local solutions to help tackle
flooding and coastal erosion."
At the same time proposals to change the system for allocating
money for flood defences are also being published, so that more
schemes can get the go ahead.
The proposed new funding criteria would mean that more flood
defence schemes benefit from some level of Government funding.
Those who will directly benefit from the schemes, such as local
businesses and community groups, will have the opportunity for
further voluntary investment.
Caroline Spelman added:
“The old rules mean that a scheme that doesn’t qualify for total
Government investment gets pushed to the back of the queue and
sometimes never gets built.
“This new approach means that more schemes will be able to go
ahead. By encouraging additional investment from a wider range of
local organisations and businesses, local ambitions for flood
protection will no longer be held back by national budgets.”
The new approach responds to Sir Michael Pitt’s findings in his
review of the 2007 floods that central government cannot pay for
all flood defence schemes. Government would therefore pay for a
share of the benefits and outcomes that each project could
achieve, as opposed to the full costs of fewer schemes under the
current guidelines.
Payments would be made based on the individual benefits of the
schemes, such as for each household protected or value of economic
benefits. This would mean that schemes in rural areas would be
judged on a level playing field with schemes in more densely
populated areas.
Any private contributions to the cost of flood defences will be
entirely voluntary and communities at most risk of flooding will
still be prioritised for Government funding.
Notes to editors
1. The National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management
Strategy consultation can be found at https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/portal/ho/flood/fcerm/strategy
2. The Future funding for flood and coastal erosion risk
managementconsultation can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/flood-coastal-erosion/index.htm
3. The National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management
Strategy meets the requirements of the Flood and Water Management
Act and the Pitt Review.
4. The Payment for Outcomes consultation meets a recommendation
by Sir Michael Pitt that Government should “develop a scheme
which allows and encourages local communities to invest in flood
risk management measures”.
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Contacts:
Defra Press Office
Phone: 020 7238 6600
NDS.DEFRA@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Tim Dunford
Phone: 020 7238 6001
tim.dunford@defra.gsi.gov.uk