The Agency is not the lead risk authority for surface water flooding: this falls under the remit of a number of bodies (such as the Highways Agency) with local authorities having lead responsibility.30 Local authorities’ core budget is not ring-fenced for flooding and we have previously raised concerns over the level of revenue funding available to local authorities.31 The NAO’s survey found that 60% of local authorities did not think they had the staff capabilities to undertake their role ef...

The Agency is not the lead risk authority for surface water flooding: this falls under the remit of a number of bodies (such as the Highways Agency) with local authorities having lead responsibility.30 Local authorities’ core budget is not ring-fenced for flooding and we have previously raised concerns over the level of revenue funding available to local authorities.31 The NAO’s survey found that 60% of local authorities did not think they had the staff capabilities to undertake their role effectively and more than half said they did not have the funding to undertake their role effectively.32 The Agency told us that there are some local autho Type: conclusion | Number: 17 | Response status: accepted Government response: 4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 4.2 The government committed in the Plan for Water (April 2023) to requiring standardised sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) in new developments, subject to final decisions on s