Flood risk management plans (FRMPs): responsibilities
This guidance is for the Environment Agency and lead local flood authorities on their responsibilities when preparing flood risk management plans.
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
Flood risk management plans (FRMPs) and flood risk areas (FRAs)
FRMPs must cover areas of the river basin district (RBD) where flood risk is significant. These areas are called flood risk areas (FRAs).
The Environment Agency and lead local flood authorities (LLFAs) identify FRAs through preliminary flood risk assessments.
FRMPs also help meet the aims of the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Strategy for England and the Flood and Coastal Risk Management Strategy Roadmap.
Producing FRMPs
The Environment Agency is responsible for producing FRMPs for FRAs that cover:
- main rivers
- the sea
- reservoirs
LLFAs are responsible for producing FRMPs for FRAs that cover local sources of flooding in their area. Local sources of flooding include:
- surface water
- ordinary watercourses
- groundwater
The preferred approach is for the Environment Agency and LLFAs to work together to produce one FRMP for all sources of flood risk. This arrangement is agreed between the Environment Agency and the LLFAs involved before work starts.
This approach enables good co-ordination between RMAs and communities and better co-ordinated flood management. It also helps to co-ordinate with river basin management plans (RBMPs). RBMPs address the wider water environment across RBDs.
LLFAs that do not have an FRA in their administrative area can still contribute to a FRMP in their RBD. Other RMAs can also contribute to joint FRMPs for their RBD. These contributions are voluntary.
Risk management authorities in England
Risk management authorities (RMAs) in England are:
- Environment Agency
- LLFAs
- district councils for areas for which there are no unitary authorities
- internal drainage boards
- water companies
- highway authorities
What FRMPs contain
Flood risk management plans (FRMPs): how to prepare them provides guidance on how to prepare FRMPs and what to include.
Publishing FRMPs
FRMPs must be reviewed by the Environment Agency and Lead Local Flood Authorities every 6 years. This is a requirement of the Flood Risk Regulations 2009.
Legislation
See the Flood Risk Regulations 2009 and Flood Risk (Cross Border Areas) Regulations 2010 to find out more about the responsibilities for FRMPs.
Contact us
Environment Agency
Tel: 03708 506 506 (Mon-Fri 8am to 6pm)
Updates to this page
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Amended FRMPs consultation wording at the publication of the summary of responses document and publication of the responses.
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Amended FRMP consultation wording at the close of consultation on 21 January 2022, with information about reviewing the responses.
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Added that flood risk management plans (FRMPs) must be reviewed by the Environment Agency and lead local flood authorities every 6 years. Provided information and links to the public consultations on draft FRMPs for 2021 to 2027. Removed the reference to the European Floods Directive.
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First published.