ADA calls on Defra for access to emergency financial assistance following flooding events

Internal drainage boards are the only Risk Management Authorities without a mechanism for emergency financial assistance from Government

Emergency financial assistance must be made available to internal drainage boards (IDBs) managing flood risks and flood events, the association representing the UK’s drainage, water level and flood risk management authorities has told Government.

IDBs are well prepared to deal with extreme weather events to operate pumps and sluices in their districts. However, when unforeseen extremes overwhelm the system and excess additional costs are incurred, IDBs are the only risk management authorities (RMAs) who do not have access to emergency funding to mitigate those serious financial implications.

Following this winter’s flooding, 12 IDBs had collectively incurred a total estimated cost of £675,000, mainly as a result of increased pumping costs, undertaking repairs, and providing physical assistance to the Environment Agency and emergency services.

This collective figure has been calculated from the 12 IDBs, all of which had experienced flooding as a result of overtopping, seepage and breeches from main rivers between October and December 2019.

Additionally, two further IDBs that experienced no or limited flooding within their district, identified substantially increased pump costs in the autumn/winter of 2019, totalling costs of £500,000.

Having gathered information about the consequential financial impact faced by IDBs affected by the flooding events before Christmas, membership organisation ADA has written to Defra seeking financial assistance.

“Given the additional £120 million made available to the Environment Agency for flood defence repairs within the Budget, and the existing Bellwin arrangements for local authorities, IDBs are currently the only Risk Management Authorities without a mechanism for emergency financial assistance from Government following this winter’s flooding,” explains Innes Thomson, ADA chief executive.

“It is clear that a number of IDBs have been substantially impacted by flooding in the past year, with costs representing a significant proportion of their annual turnover,” he adds.

Where claims through a local authority’s Bellwin settlement are not available to an IDB, there remains a procedural gap for the provision of emergency recovery funding to them. It is welcome, however, that the Environment Agency has locally covered costs incurred by certain IDBs where they were an integral part of a specific incident management response.

Mr Thomson says, “ADA believes that Defra should consider a suitable and proportionate national mechanism for assisting IDBs in these circumstances that would be applicable following both recent and future emergency events.”

Concluding, he adds, “Critically, such mechanisms should not disadvantage other Risk Management Authorities’ funding.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

ADA
ADA is the membership organisation for those involved in drainage, water level and flood risk management. Its members include Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs), the Environment Agency, Regional Flood Defence Committees, Local Authorities, Natural Resources Wales, the Northern Ireland Rivers Agency, Consultants, Contractors and Suppliers.

ADA is involved in a wide range of work for and on behalf of its members helping to exchange ideas towards solving common problems and finding new, better ways of working. ADA responds to consultations from the Government, either on behalf of members or assisting with individual member responses. It represents all interests nationally and locally in relation to drainage, water level and flood risk management, for example, in relation to legislation and public inquiries. ADA acts together with other organisations to pursue the Association’s objectives, including linking to Europe through ADA’s membership of EUWMA, the European Union of Water Management Associations.

ADA obtains and shares information on matters of importance and interest to members, and provides advice on technical and administrative problems. ADA is supported by a volunteer network of branches which bring together members for meetings at a regional level. ADA organises exhibitions and meetings for the benefit of members, maintains a website at www.ada.org.uk and publishes the quarterly ADA Gazette.

ADA is a limited company with offices based at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire. ADA welcomes enquiries from the press and can be contacted during normal weekday office hours on 02476 992889 or by e-mail at admin@ada.org.uk.

For press enquiries please contact:
Eur Ing J Innes Thomson BSc CEng FICE
Chief Executive
Association of Drainage Authorities
Rural Innovation Centre, Avenue H, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire CV8 2LG
Office: 02476 992889
Website: www.ada.org.uk

Ian Moodie MSci
Technical Manager
Association of Drainage Authorities
Rural Innovation Centre, Avenue H, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG
Office Tel: 02476 992 889
Email: ian.moodie@ada.org.uk

Ryan Dixon
Publications & Communications Officer
Association of Drainage Authorities
Rural Innovation Centre, Avenue H, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG
Office Tel: 02476 992 889
Email: ryan.dixon@ada.org.uk

For any other press enquiries please contact Stuart Booker, Kendalls PR on 07841 655379 or stuart.booker@kendallscom.co.ukstuart.booker@kendallscom.co.uk. Issued on behalf of ADA by Kendalls PR

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