Local Flood Risk Management Strategy Living Document – Interactive PDF Northamptonshire County Council September 2012
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Northamptonshire Local Flood Risk Management Strategy Living Document – Interactive PDF Northamptonshire County Council September 2012 Northamptonshire LFRMS (DRAFT September 2012) Document Status All Lead Local Flood Authorities in England are required to develop, maintain, apply and monitor the application of a strategy for local flood risk in their area, which is consistent with the Environment Agency’s National Strategy. This is therefore a statutory document. In Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire County Council is the Lead Local Flood Authority. The Local Flood Risk Management Strategy is an important document that sets the scene for the management of flood risk in Northamptonshire for the coming years. The strategy has been produced during a transitional period, during which the guidelines for implementation of Flood and Water Management Act are in development. To date, commencement orders have not been issued for the entire Act. As part of its development all key partners have had the opportunity to comment on this strategy. Following full public consultation this strategy will be reviewed and updated (if necessary) and finalised as a living document. Accompanying Documents The Local Flood Risk Management Strategy is accompanied by a number of separate documents, as follows: A non-technical Executive Summary of this strategy has been produced as an easy reference guide; The strategy is also subject to Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulation Assessment, which have both been produced to support the strategy; An Equalities Impact Assessment has also been undertaken. Northamptonshire LFRMS (DRAFT September 2012) CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 1 OBJECTIVES OF THE LOCAL FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGY ..................................................... 2 LOCAL FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIONS AND MEASURES ........................................................... 3 2. WHAT IS FLOODING? ................................................................................................ 4 WHAT CAUSES FLOODING? .......................................................................................................... 4 WHAT TYPES OF FLOOD RISK ARE THERE? ....................................................................................... 4 FLOOD RISK IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE ............................................................................................ 7 Watercourses in West Northamptonshire ........................................................................ 7 Watercourses in North Northamptonshire ....................................................................... 9 3. LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND .................................................................................... 11 FLOOD AND WATER MANAGEMENT ACT 2010 ............................................................................ 11 FLOOD RISK REGULATIONS 2009 ............................................................................................... 12 THE PITT REVIEW 2007 ............................................................................................................ 13 OTHER KEY PIECES OF LEGISLATION ............................................................................................. 13 4. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ................................................................................ 17 LEAD LOCAL FLOOD AUTHORITY ................................................................................................. 17 WATER COMPANIES ................................................................................................................. 23 INTERNAL DRAINAGE BOARDS .................................................................................................... 23 NORTHAMPTONSHIRE DISTRICT AND BOROUGH COUNCILS ............................................................. 23 THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY ..................................................................................................... 25 HIGHWAYS AUTHORITY ............................................................................................................. 26 HIGHWAYS AGENCY ................................................................................................................. 26 RIPARIAN OWNERS .................................................................................................................. 26 OTHER BODIES ........................................................................................................................ 27 5. LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS, GOVERNANCE AND SCRUTINY ............................................. 30 LOCAL PARTNERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENTS ............................................................... 30 STRATEGIC FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT BOARD ............................................................................ 30 LOCAL FLOOD RISK OPERATIONAL GROUP ................................................................................... 31 NORTHAMPTONSHIRE LEADERSHIP GROUP .................................................................................. 32 NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL CABINET ........................................................................ 32 THE LOCAL RESILIENCE FORUM .................................................................................................. 32 REGIONAL FLOOD AND COASTAL COMMITTEES ............................................................................. 33 SCRUTINY ARRANGEMENTS ....................................................................................................... 33 FULL COUNCIL ......................................................................................................................... 34 6. ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL FLOOD RISK IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE ................................ 35 HISTORIC FLOODING IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE .............................................................................. 35 POTENTIAL FLOOD RISK IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE .......................................................................... 37 Prioritisation ................................................................................................................... 37 Assessment of Priority ..................................................................................................... 38 Results of Priority Assessment ........................................................................................ 39 IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON FUTURE FLOOD RISK .................................................................. 43 Implications for Flood Risk .............................................................................................. 43 Adapting to Change ........................................................................................................ 44 Analysis of Sensitivity to Climate Change ....................................................................... 44 Northamptonshire LFRMS (DRAFT September 2012) SUMMARY OF HIGHEST PRIORITY WARDS .................................................................................... 48 LIMITATIONS OF DATA .............................................................................................................. 50 7. STRATEGY OBJECTIVES FOR MANAGING LOCAL FLOOD RISK .................................... 51 OBJECTIVE 1: COLLABORATIVE APPROACH ................................................................................... 51 Partnership working ........................................................................................................ 51 Secure and Optimise Human Resources ......................................................................... 52 Public Engagement in Strategy Development and Delivery ........................................... 53 OBJECTIVE 2: LOCAL FLOOD RISK ............................................................................................... 54 Production of Surface Water Management Plans .......................................................... 54 Northampton Surface Water Management Plan ........................................................... 55 Flood Investigation and Recording ................................................................................. 55 Public Reporting of Flooding Incidents ........................................................................... 57 Asset Maintenance ......................................................................................................... 57 Asset Register.................................................................................................................. 58 Data Management Protocols .......................................................................................... 59 Community Awareness ................................................................................................... 59 OBJECTIVE 3: ENHANCE THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT ................................................................... 59 Undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment, Habitat Regulation Assessment and Water Framework Directive Compliance Check.............................................................. 60 Additional Flood Storage Attenuation ............................................................................ 61 Natural Resilience ........................................................................................................... 61 Provide Blue and Green infrastructure ..........................................................................