Written evidence submitted by Witham and Drainage Boards (FLO0007)

Summary and objective

Recent events have brought the challenges of managing flood risk back to national attention, and climate change means these events are likely to become more frequent. Building on the previous Committee’s interim report on coastal flooding and adaptation to climate change, this inquiry would focus on the Government’s approach to managing the risk of inland flooding in .

The inquiry will also consider evidence received and questions raised during the coastal flooding inquiry.

Terms of reference 1. Are the current national and local governance and co-ordination arrangements for flood and coastal risk management in England effective? 2. What lessons can be learned from the recent floods about the way Government and local authorities respond to flooding events? 3. Given the challenge posed by climate change, what should be the Government’s aims and priorities in national flood risk policy, and what level of investment will be required in future in order to achieve this? 4. How can communities most effectively be involved, and supported, in the policies and decisions that affect them? 5. With increasing focus on natural flood management measures, how should future agricultural and environmental policies be focussed and integrated with the Government’s wider approach to flood risk? 6. How can housing and other development be made more resilient to flooding, and what role can be played by measures such as insurance, sustainable drainage and planning policy?

House of Commons EFRA Committee Floods Inquiry Terms of reference – Consultation Response to Questions 1-6. 1. Are the current national and local governance and co-ordination arrangements for flood and coastal risk management in England effective? This response is submitted on behalf of the 4 Internal Drainage Boards which work in a voluntary partnership under S11 of the Flood & Water Management Act [2010] collectively known as ‘Witham & Humber Drainage Boards’, but retaining their independent status as 4 separate and local Land Drainage, Water Levels and Flood Risk Management Authorities [i.e. North IDB, Upper Witham IDB, Witham First District IDB and Witham Third District IDB]. The 4 IDBs are 4 of 112 IDBs nationally. Structurally, since the Pitt Review [2007] following extensive heavy rainfall events and flooding, there has been considerable clarification and improvement nationally and locally in governance responsibilities for water and flood risk management in what may appear to the public as a ‘crowded land scape’. The Flood & Water Management Act [2010] assisted with this and the introduction nationally of Lead Local Flood Authorities [LLFAs] and the requirement for the LLFAs to produce a JOINT Strategic Plan supports a coordinated and joint approach to water levels and flood risk management [indeed to the management of water from all sources – be that tidal inundation, fluvial, surface water or ground water]. In for 3 of the 4 IDBs here this means the LLFA responsibility sits with Lincolnshire County Council and the second iteration of a Joint Strategy was approved in February 2020, having been developed in a collegiate way using the well-established partnership architecture of the Lincolnshire Flood Risk Management & Drainage Partnership [which includes representation from, for example, the Upper Tier Authority in

1 Lincolnshire County Council, the 7 District Councils, the , relevant Water Company representation like Anglian Water Services, Local Resilience Forum input for emergency planning, voluntary sector input via the Canal & Rivers Trust etc]. For our North East Lindsey IDB, the Board relates to two Unitary Authorities, namely North Lincolnshir