Policy paper

Local flood risk management planning reform advisory group: terms of reference

Published 29 July 2021

Applies to England

Background

The government’s flood and coastal erosion risk management policy statement includes a commitment to reform local flood and coastal erosion risk planning so that every area of England will have a more strategic and comprehensive plan that supports long-term local action and investment by 2026.

This will support the government’s goal to build a nation more resilient to future flood and coastal erosion risk.

Government’s objectives for reform to local flood risk management planning

The government is proposing new objectives which build on the vision set out in the policy statement.

Future strategic local flood risk management plans should:

Support a catchment-based approach

Plans must consider all sources of flood risk and the potential for action across the whole of an area, upstream and downstream, by a variety of bodies.

Provide a framework to support long-term action and investment

Plans should be the blueprint for a holistic approach to managing flood risk. This means looking at the full range of actions which can increase resilience and identifying or securing funding to support delivery.

Follow an adaptive, long-term approach which accounts for climate change

Plans should be adaptive and long-term to enable local decision makers to identify the best combination of actions and the right time to act and invest.

Identify opportunities to achieve multiple benefits

Plans should join-up with other local plans for an area to support government’s commitment to integrate approaches to land, water and the environment – for example sharing of expertise such as data collected in development of Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans.

Inform local decisions on growth, spatial planning and land-use

Flood risk management plans should be shared and considered as part of wider local decision making to support our commitment to build back greener. For example, Local Nature Recovery Strategies could draw upon local flood risk management plans to improve integration on the ground.

Foster collaboration and community engagement

Plans should encourage collaboration across local bodies, including business, and should include meaningful community engagement to ensure communities have a voice and that plans utilise local knowledge.

Demonstrate clear accountability and transparency

Plans should identify action owners to ensure local ownership and leadership and include appropriate oversight, scrutiny and transparency arrangements.

Aim

The aim of the advisory group (‘the group’) is to provide evidence, advice and views on local flood risk management planning reform to inform future government policy.

Key questions

Initially, the group will explore some key overarching questions including:

Purpose and objectives of plans

Should plans focus on action to tackle risk or also aim to communicate levels of risk?

Number of plans

Should plans exist at both regional and local scales or does this result in duplication? What is the optimum number of plans across the country?

Requirements within plans

Should places at highest risk undertake “enhanced” planning? How can reforms facilitate stronger co-operation between Risk Management Authorities, business, local communities and others? How can local plans encourage a wider range of flood resilience actions in combination?

Frequency of review and update

Should plans be reviewed on a fixed schedule or based on trigger points such as changes in the level of risk? How can plans best align with investment cycles?

Governance

Who should be responsible for drafting and delivery of the plan? What does effective governance (for example reporting and scrutiny) look like?

As a result of this work, the group may make recommendations for consideration.

Membership

Membership of the group will be by invitation from Defra. Members will be representative of a broad range of organisations and groups with an interest or role in local flood risk management planning. This may include but is not limited to:

• flood Risk Management Authorities or their representative organisations
• community and industry representation
• academia

Governance

Meetings of the group will begin by the end of 2021. They will be chaired by Defra, which will also provide secretariat functions.

The group will meet at least quarterly, or as required.

The group will be established on an on-going basis until such time that it is no longer required, for example ahead of a public consultation on reform proposals.

The terms of reference will be reviewed and updated as required.