§ Lord Gregsonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress has been made in producing high level targets for improving flood and coastal defence operating authorities. [HL66]
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Baroness Hayman)On 22 November my honourable friend the Parliamentary Secretary (Mr Morley) announced a publication of more comprehensive targets for flood and coastal defence operating authorities and a further elaboration of the Environment Agency's supervisory duty. We have placed a copy in the Library of the House.
The targets are designed to assist in developing a seamless and integrated service of flood forecasting, warning and response as well as a more certain delivery of government policy towards flood and coastal defence. They follow recommendations, which the Government accepted, in last year's Agriculture Select Committee report on flood and coastal defence and in the independent report on the Easter 1998 floods. The targets take effect from 1 April 2000, building on and developing the interim targets which we published in May.
The targets will, among other things, require flood and coastal defence operating authorities to produce policy statements on their plans for achieving the Government's policy aims and objectives, flood and coastal defence assets to be recorded and inspected, and flood and erosion risk assessed. There are targets for the Environment Agency to develop its flood warning service, for emergency exercises to be held, and in relation to development control in areas at risk of flooding or erosion. There are also targets for taking forward initiatives on shoreline management plans, water level management plans and coastal habitat management plans, and for monitoring the impact of flood and coastal defence on habitats covered by biodiversity action plans.
These targets, and elaboration of the Environment Agency's supervisory duty, have been developed in full co-operation with the agency, the Association of Drainage Authorities and the Local Government Association and in consultation with a wide range of relevant organisations. We have been impressed by the strong support we have had both for the overall approach we have adopted and for the particular measures we are introducing.
The Government attach great importance to these targets. We will be monitoring achievement and keeping them under review. There are significant reporting requirements and we shall ensure that Parliament is kept informed of relevant developments.