Local Flood Risk Management Strategy

 Our climate is changing. Forecasts suggest that we will see higher sea levels, increases in the intensity of rainfall and more frequent flooding. More of us will experience flooding, the consequences of that flooding will be greater and the risk to life, the economy and the environment will increase.

A public engagement exercise for the public to get involved and help to develop the draft revised Local Flood Risk Management Strategy has recently been completed. There will be a further opportunity for the public to consult on the draft Local Flood Risk Management Strategy. 

Flooding is a natural process that will happen regardless of the actions of humanity, and it is not possible to prevent it. However, steps can be taken to manage the risks of flooding and reduce both the frequency and consequences.

The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 was introduced following the review of the 2007 flooding that was widespread across the UK. The Act sets out to provide a better and more comprehensive management of flood risk for people, homes and businesses.

Under this legislation, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council became a Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) and was given the duty to develop, maintain, apply and monitor a strategy for local flood risk management (Local Flood Risk Management Strategy). In the development of the Local Strategy, the LLFA will balance the needs of communities, the economy and the environment.

The local strategy only deals with local flood risk which is defined in the act as being a flood risk from:

• surface runoff

• groundwater and

• ordinary watercourses

The Local Strategy forms the framework within which communities have a greater say in local risk management decisions. In combination with the National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management, the Local Strategies will encourage more effective risk management by enabling people, communities, business and the public sector to work together to: 

• ensure a clear understanding of the risks of flooding and erosion, nationally and locally, so that investment in risk management can be prioritised more effectively;

• set out clear and consistent plans for risk management so that communities and businesses can make informed decisions about the management of the residual risk;

• encourage innovative management of flood risks, taking account of the needs of communities and the environment;

• form links between the local flood risk management strategy and local spatial planning;

• ensure that emergency plans and responses to flood incidents are effective and that communities are able to respond properly to flood warnings; and

• help communities to recover more quickly and effectively after incidents.

It aims to do this by acting as the evidence base for the decisions and actions required for managing flood risk. The Local Strategy and future plans and policies will be developed with communities to ensure a better understanding of local risk management, coordinated planning and sustainability. It will also emphasise the need to balance national and local activities and funding.

The strategy details the objectives and measures that have been developed to outline, at a high level, how the Authority intends to manage flood risk within the life of this particular strategy and sets out to adopt a holistic approach to flood risk management.

Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council’s current Local Flood Risk Management Strategy was published in 2013. A summary of the original Local Strategy is available in both English and Welsh.

Should you wish to view any of the associated documents or require further information, please contact the flood risk management team on FRM@rctcbc.gov.uk or at the following postal address.