The Director of Technical Services reported that the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and the Flood Risk Regulations 2009 created Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFA) at Unitary or County Council Level. The LLFA were required to lead the strategic management of local flood risk, arising from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses and to approve and adopt Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS). He reported that in Wirral, approximately 14000 domestic properties had been identified as ‘at risk from flooding’ and the new powers placed a substantial new burden on the Council to manage such risks. The Director provided an introduction to the new responsibilities and the detailed initial work which had been undertaken on their implementation.

Resolved –

(1)  That the significant new burdens placed on LLFAs under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and the Flood Risk Regulations 2009, and the corresponding financial allocation made to Wirral Council from DEFRA for this purpose, be noted.

(2)  That Cabinet recognises the work of the Wirral Flood Group and endorses the establishment of a Wirral Flood and Water Management Partnership.

(3)  That the Wirral Flood and Water Management Partnership be requested to scrutinise the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA), prior to its submission to the Environment Agency in June 2011.