One-quarter of local authorities have difficulty in recruiting and retaining the technical staff necessary to reduce the risk of surface water flooding, according to a new survey.
The finding, from a Local Government Association survey of 257 councils, comes as the Government prepares to formally respond to Sir Michael Pitt’s review of the devastating flooding of summer 2007, including his call for a ‘technical renaissance’ in local government.
The survey also identified that the majority of councils – 60% – claim to not have the necessary funding to carry out their existing responsibilities, let alone to take on new ones.
The survey includes both upper-tier and district councils. The former would, under Pitt’s recommendations, be tasked with producing surface water-management plans to reduce risk. The latter would have a duty to share information and to co-operate.
The LGA, highlighting the findings, urged that the Government respond to the Pitt review with a pledge to invest in skills and training, as well as pressing ahead with legislative changes.
Cllr Paul Bettison, chair of the LGA’s environment board, said: ‘The Government must set out a time-table for investment. Investment now will save the taxpayer more in the future, and will also create scores of new jobs.’ The survey also suggested that 55% of councils do not have any partnership arrangements in place with water companies, necessary to produce strategies to reduce flood risk which take account of all assets.
However, Justin Taberham, the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, said: ‘In my personal view, it is likely that consultants and contractors will play a role in assisting local authorities in their duties.’
There would, however ‘be a need for sufficient staff resource within councils with the ability to manage contracts and oversee consultants’ work’. Taberham added it was important that the Draft Floods Bill was ‘not held back because we are in a harsh economic period’. Measures likely to be included would have ‘major benefits for the environment and the economy’.
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