24th April 2009
By David Williams
A draft Flood and Water Management Bill has been criticised by local government groups for failing to clarify councils’ role in tackling emergencies.
A draft Flood and Water Management Bill has been criticised by local government groups for failing to clarify councils’ role in tackling emergencies.The Bill, published by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn on April 21, aims to reduce the likelihood and impact of flooding, and improve systems for dealing with disasters.
But the plans were swiftly attacked by bodies representing local government, who want more powers for councils. They argue the Bill does not address the unclear lines of accountability that hampered response to the floods in summer 2007.
Andy Johnston, representing the Local Government Flood Forum, said: ‘There needs to be greater clarity about what councils will be responsible for and about how members of the public will be supported. We need a radical shake-up of current structures.’
The forum proposes the creation of boards led by county councils to deal with flood management from planning to recovery.
Paul Bettison, chair of the Local Government Association’s environment board, added: ‘We cannot continue with a situation where it is not clear who is responsible for dealing with vitally important functions like drainage.
‘There needs to be a clear commitment from the government that councils will have the funding and the expert staff they need to properly protect residents from future floods.’
Benn said the Bill would clearly define the roles of all involved in flood management, and that local authorities would be given £15m to take on a leadership role.
