TAG - Local Government Technical Advisors Group

TAG News

Local Authority Network on Drainage and Flood Risk Management (LANDFRM)

18th Jun 2008

Local Authority Network on Drainage and Flood Risk Management (LANDFRM) This network has been set up to disseminate good practice, research outputs and policy relating to sustainable drainage and flood risk management to planners and operational staff within Local Authorities. The network also provides those working in and with Local Authorities the opportunity to discuss issues and challenges, share knowledge and new approaches to facilitate the identification of common solutions through events and the online forum. Participants of the network are able to keep abreast of good practice and changes in policy, working methods and research. Network objectives • Provide a platform for sharing knowledge and experience: events provide a mechanism to improve communication with those that work in and with LAs providing a forum for discussion and consensus building; • Enable focused communication between key stakeholders: Events will enable key stakeholders (e.g. regulators, sewerage undertakers, developers, coastal groups) to liaise with LAs on technical, policy and management issues relating to sustainable drainage and flood risk management; • Provide tools and support mechanisms: The network events disseminate information on good practice from practical research; • Ensure LAs are kept updated on developments: The network provides a mechanism to ensure that LAs are aware of developments in policy and research and consider/evolve their wider role within the sustainable management of surface water and flood risk. • Assist with implementation: The network focuses on disseminating information that supports the practical implementation of flood risk management and sustainable drainage. • Clarifying roles and responsibilities: Discussions at events and on the forum will help provide clarity on the critical functions delivered by LAs in relation to flood risk management and sustainable drainage. Approach The network is guided by a Strategic Advice Group that includes Defra, Environment Agency, Communities and Local Government, Local Government Association, County Surveyors Society, Planning Officers Society, Association of Drainage Authorities individual local authorities, Town and Country Planning Association and the Royal Town Planning Institute and other organisations like CIWEM and research organisations. The budget facilitates at least two free seminar events a year, where appropriate this has been supplemented by funds from other supporters, ie Interpave. The majority of funding is provided by the Environment Agency with other contributions coming from Mouchel and Interpave. There will be two main outputs from the network. • Website - a ‘portal’ will be designed to signpost information on technical and policy issues as well as an electronic discussion forum specifically for LAs and associated stakeholders. www.ciria.org/landform • Events - There will also be a number of seminars on flood risk management and sustainable drainage. These are likely to be ½ day seminars but could also include consultation workshops. The presentations and event reports are freely disseminated. Achievements Network composition The network has around 800 contacts that have registered, approximately 70% are from Local Authorities. Events Three free successful events have been delivered through LANDFORM, these include Title Delegates Date Delivering sustainable drainage on the ground 101 20 Sept 2007 Flood resilience and resistance – adapting to a climate of change 55 5 Feb 2008 Flood risk management in new developments 141 9 April 2008 The events held in September 2007 and April 2008, had around 65% local authorities. Website (www.ciria.org/landform) The website receives around 2000 web hits a month the forum is yet to properly evolve. The information provided is regularly updated with event reports freely disseminated. Consultation A consultation on surface water management was developed, over 70 respondents provided input into the consultation which was provided to Defra. A press release will be produced.

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