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Pitt review Final recommendations

26th Jun 2008

SUMMARY OF PITT REVIEW FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS RELATING TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES RECOMMENDATION LEAD ACTIONS RECOMMENDATION 7: There should be a presumption against building in high flood risk areas, in accordance with PPS25, including giving consideration to all sources of flood risk, and ensuring that developers make a full contribution to the costs both of building and maintaining any necessary defences. ACTION EA LA RECOMMENDATION 8: The operation and effectiveness of PPS25 and the Environment Agency’s powers to challenge development should be kept under review and strengthened if and when necessary. ACTION EA LA RECOMMENDATION 9: Householders should no longer be able to lay impermeable surfaces as of right on front gardens and the Government should consult on extending this to back gardens and business premises. ACTION EA LA GOV RECOMMENDATION 12: All local authorities should extend eligibility for home improvement grants and loans to include flood resistance and resilience products for properties in high flood-risk areas. ACTION LA RECOMMENDATION 13: Local authorities, in discharging their responsibilities under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 to promote business continuity, should encourage the take-up of property flood resistance and resilience by businesses. ACTION LA RECOMMENDATION 14: Local authorities should lead on the management of local flood risk, with the support of the relevant organisations. ACTION LA RECOMMENDATION 15: Local authorities should positively tackle local problems of flooding by working with all relevant parties, establishing ownership and legal responsibility. ACTION LA RECOMMENDATION 16: Local authorities should collate and map the main flood risk management and drainage assets (over and underground), including a record of their ownership and condition. ACTION LA RECOMMENDATION 17: All relevant organisations should have a duty to share information and cooperate with local authorities and the Environment Agency to facilitate the management of flood risk. ACTION GOV EA LA RECOMMENDATION 18: Local Surface Water Management Plans, as set out under PPS25 and coordinated by local authorities, should provide the basis for managing all local flood risk. ACTION LA RECOMMENDATION 19: Local authorities should assess and, if appropriate, enhance their technical capabilities to deliver a wide range of responsibilities in relation to local flood risk management. ACTION LA RECOMMENDATION 38: Local authorities should establish mutual aid agreements in accordance with the guidance currently being prepared by the Local Government Association and the Cabinet Office. ACTION LA RECOMMENDATION 41: Upper tier local authorities should be the lead responders in relation to multi-agency planning for severe weather emergencies at the local level and for triggering multi-agency arrangements in response to severe weather warnings and local impact assessments. ACTION LA RECOMMENDATION 44: Category 1 and 2 responders should assess the effectiveness of their emergency response facilities, including flexible accommodation, IT and communications systems, and undertake any necessary improvement works. ACTION LA etc RECOMMENDATION 66: Local authority contact centres should take the lead in dealing with general enquiries from the public during and after major flooding, redirecting calls to other organisations when appropriate. ACTION LA RECOMMENDATION 68: Council leaders and chief executives should play a prominent role in public reassurance and advice through the local media during a flooding emergency, as part of a coordinated effort overseen by Gold Commanders. ACTION LA RECOMMENDATION 76: Local authorities should coordinate a systematic programme of community engagement in their area during the recovery phase. ACTION LA RECOMMENDATION 83: Local authorities should continue to make arrangements to bear the cost of recovery for all but the most exceptional emergencies, and should revisit their reserves and insurance arrangements in light of last summer’s floods. ACTION LA

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