This website provides information on Bath and North East Somerset Council’s role as a Lead Local Flood Authority, under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.
Lead Local Flood Authorities were formed by the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 with the purpose of leading on the management of local flood risk. Local flood risk includes flooding from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses. This involves working closely with our partners involved in flood and water management, known as Risk Management Authorities. In the Bath and North East Somerset area these include:
• The Environment Agency
• Wessex Water
• The Emergency Services
• Highways Authority
Bath and North East Somerset's new roles and responsibilities as a Lead Local Flood Authority
There are a number of new roles and responsibilities that Bath and North East Somerset Council now have to undertake:
1. Local Flood Risk Management Strategy: Bath and North East Somerset Council are required to develop, implement and monitor a strategy for local flood risk management.
2. Investigate flooding incidents: Bath and North East Somerset Council are required to investigate flooding incidents and publish reports on their causes and effects. This duty includes identifying which authorities have flood risk management functions and what they have done or intend to do with respect to the incident, notifying risk management authorities where necessary and publishing the results of any investigations carried out.
3. Maintain an asset register: a register of assets or features which are considered to have an effect on flood risk, including details on ownership and condition. The register must be available for inspection and the secretary of state will be able to make regulations about the content of the register and records. We will have the power to designate features as significant flood risk management assets. Our permission will then be required if any alterations or changes are to be made to these structures.
The following link will take you to the public version of the Councils asset register http://isharemaps.bathnes.gov.uk/myBathNES.aspx
4. SuDS Approval Body (SAB): we will be designated as the approving body for new sustainable drainage systems in the Bath and North East Somerset area. Once this part of the Flood and Water Management Act is enacted we will be responsible for the approval, adoption and maintenance of sustainable drainage systems.
5. Works Powers: we will have powers to undertake works to manage flood risk from surface water runoff and groundwater, consistent with the local strategy for flood risk management
6. Consenting and Enforcement Powers: we will be responsible for the consenting of works in ordinary watercourses that may affect flow or flood risk.
7. Statutory Consultee to the planning process: The SAB will become a statutory consultee to the planning process.