The Director of Technical Services reported that the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and the Flood Risk Regulations 2009 had established Wirral Council as a Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA). He commented that Wirral faced a significant risk from local flooding, with a substantial number of domestic properties identified as at risk from potential future flooding. LLFAs were required to lead the strategic management of local flood risk, arising from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses, and the Director commented upon the substantial new burdens placed upon the Council in its LLFA role. Those new duties and responsibilities would be directed through the Flood and Water Management Partnership, the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee and finally to the Cabinet for approval.

The Director presented a progress report in relation to the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) that was now completed and he reported also upon progress in the implementation of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. He reported upon the work of the Flood and Water Management Partnership and presented a copy of its action plan, which captured the key flood risk activities that would be undertaken over the coming 12 months. He reported that the additional duties and responsibilities were, in general, being funded through financial grants, initially through Defra, with an allocation of £20,000, which was received in October 2010 to begin the work on the PFRA. In addition to this initial grant, Defra had made available nationally some £36m to fund the significant new burdens that had been placed on LLFAs. Wirral Council had additionally received £122,800 in 2011/2012 and would receive subsequent funding of £167,900 annually in years 2012/2013, 2013/2014 and 2014/2015. (Cabinet (date) minutes 84 and 354 refer). In response to a question from a Member, the Director indicated that Defra expected the allocation to be fully utilised as the costs had been calculated based on a model of the significance of the risk to the LLFA and the level of resource required to address that risk.

In addition, he outlined the work of the Operational Flood Group, which provided for operational issues between the Council, United Utilities and the Environment Agency to be progressed on a monthly basis and for responsibility for flooding incidents to be apportioned to the appropriate flood risk management partner.

Resolved –

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the report be accepted by the Committee as meeting its responsibilities under the flood legislation to produce an annual report on Flood Risk Management progress.