A survey conducted by The Local Authority Network on Drainage and Flood Risk Management (LANDFoRM), managed by CIRIA, revealed that approximately three quarters of respondants agreed that local authorities should be responsible for coordinating Surface Water Management Plans (SWMPs), but would require a boost in skills and resources to do so. This view was backed up by eight out of ten respondants, who agreed that local authorities are insufficiently resourced to take the lead on Surface Water Management Plans (SWMPs).
The survey also reveals opinions on whether SWMPs are appropriate for use on existing or new developments, how the skills gaps in this area can be bridged and how local authority capacity could be developed to address these issues.
SWMPs were one of the many recommendations resulting from Defra’s surface water management consultation and The Interim Pitt Review on last years’ flooding.
LANDFoRM’s coordinator, Paul Shaffer said of the survey results: "On the whole, local authorities are positive about the introduction of SWMPs but have voiced concerns about the lack of expertise and funding to handle this complex, multi-disciplinary task."
"LANDFoRM is addressing knowledge and skills gaps by identifying opportunities for those that work in and with local authorities to share experiences and knowledge as well as disseminating good practice on flood risk management and surface water management. Solutions are often practical and highly transferable; the network provides a useful platform for this exchange and stakeholder engagement."