Issue - meetings

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport which clarified the role of the County Council as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) in light of apparent inaccurate communication and misrepresentation of its responsibilities by some district councils during flooding events that occurred in the County during September and October 2024.  The report set out the work that had been undertaken to emphasise roles and responsibilities with respect to flooding, most notably through the publication of the Council’s updated Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.  However, it highlighted that there was still work to be done to better inform district councils on this and as such, there was a need for a protocol for working with the district councils on the management of local flood risk.  A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 9’, is filed with these minutes.  The report was urgent in order to clarify any misunderstanding around the roles of the County and district councils in the management of local flood risk.

Members agreed that the production of a protocol was essential to clarify the role and responsibilities in relation to flooding.  It was important that all local authorities worked together, and that the local planning authorities should have due regard to the County Council’s advice on flooding when considering planning applications. 

RESOLVED:

That the Director or Environment and Transport, following consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member, be authorised to develop a protocol for how the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) will engage with the district councils on the management of local flood risk going forward.

REASONS FOR DECISION

The development of a transparent protocol will help ensure that the district councils are clear on the role of the LLFA and will set out how both can collaboratively work together on managing local flood risk across the County.

Such protocol and collaboration will help to build on the County Council’s updated LLFRMS educational ‘Be Flood Ready: Aware, Prepared and Engaged’ public messaging and demonstrate a consistent and united approach to flood risk management to the public.