Environmental News: Water companies should be compelled to co-operate with councils to prevent flooding - LGA
In response to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee report into flooding, the Local Government Association, a cross-party organisation representing councils in England and Wales, has called for the Government to introduce a legal requirement for all organisations to co-operate and fight the risk of flooding.
Under the current system, it is often unclear who has responsibility for managing flood risk and maintaining drainage systems. In some parts of the country a myriad of different bodies – including the Environment Agency, councils, private landowners and water companies – have these powers but often do not share information with each other.
The LGA is calling for a change in the law and a new statutory framework which would compel water companies to co-operate with councils, share information and prepare flood prevention plans. Any organisation that failed to co-operate would be penalised.
Cllr Paul Bettison, Chairman of the LGA Environment Board, said:
“More extreme weather is an unavoidable consequence of climate change. Last summer’s floods exposed flaws in how prepared the country was and the effect of years of under-funding. Greater investment now will save much bigger costs in the future.”
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