Local flood risk management strategy

The Flood and Water Management Act 2010, enacted by government in response to the recommendations of The Pitt Review, designated unitary and county councils as lead local flood authorities (LLFAs) with new responsibilities for leading and co-ordinating the management of local flood risk; namely the flood risk arising from surface water run-off, groundwater and ordinary watercourses. This includes a statutory duty to develop, maintain, apply and monitor a strategy for the management of local flood risk.

In the spirit of the act, and recognising the current economic climate, Shropshire Council and Staffordshire County Council have entered a collaborative working agreement to assist in fulfilling their duties as LLFAs.

This Local Flood Risk Management Strategy formalises our longer term vision and shapes individual priorities that deliver the greatest benefit to the people, property and environment of Shropshire and Staffordshire. The strategy covers local sources of flooding and is consistent with the Environment Agency’s National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy for England.

What the strategy sets out

Which organisations have responsibility for flood risk management in Shropshire
Partnership arrangements to ensure co-ordination between responsible organisations
Actions for all organisations managing flood risk
How we prioritise where to take action so that the greatest benefits for those who flood can be realised
Where funding comes from
How we can enhance the environment

Our policies

The strategy also sets out what our policies are as the LLFA for Shropshire. This includes information on:

When we'll investigate flooding incidents
How we'll collate data on flood risk assets
Where we'll designate third party assets affecting flood risk
How we'll respond to planning applications
How we'll work with others to develop flood risk schemes
How we'll preserve watercourses in their natural state
When we'll take land drainage enforcement action
How we'll seek to improve the environment

How we'll monitor progress

The strategy action plan will be monitored by the joint steering group and project board that we've set up with Staffordshire County Council.

Assessing the impacts on the environment

We've produced a strategic environment assessment (SEA) and habitat regulations assessment to ensure that we don't accidentally take actions that might damage the environment.

Strategic environmental assessment

The SEA post-adoption statement to follow will outline how monitoring of the potential environmental impacts will be undertaken.

Habitats regulations assessment

A preliminary habitat regulations assessment has also been completed. It concluded that, with some minor changes to the strategy, European designated sites are not likely to be significantly negatively affected by any plans or projects.

Documents

The Local Flood Risk Management Strategy for Shropshire consists of the following documents:

Document table: Local Flood Risk Management Strategy – Summary
Description: A brief summary of Parts 1 and 2 of the strategy.

Document table: Part 1 – Shared Strategy
Description: Part 1 is shared with Staffordshire and sets out roles and responsibilities for flood risk management, objectives, funding for flood risk management, environmental opportunities, and provides advice for property owners

Document table: Part 2 – Shropshire Policies and Procedures
Description: Part 2 is specific to Shropshire and sets out our policies as the lead local flood authority, the action plan, and how we will prioritise what we do.

Document table: Part 3 – Environmental Assessment
Description: The SEA looks at environmental effects of the strategy and makes recommendations for reducing adverse effects on the environment or enhancing beneficial effects.

Document table: Appendix A1
Description: Map: Shropshire and Staffordshire Council boundaries

Document table: Appendix A2
Description: Map: Internal Drainage Boards

Document table: Appendix A3
Description: Map: Sewer Company boundaries

Document table: Appendix A4
Description: Map: Environment Agency areas

Document table: Appendix A5
Description: Map: Regional Flood and Coastal Committees

Document table: Appendix A6
Description: Map: Watercourses and Internal Drainage Boards

Document table: Appendix A7
Description: Map: Top 10 Rural Communities at Risk

Document table: Appendix A8
Description: Map: Top 10 Urban Communities at Risk