§ David TaylorTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what powers parish councils have to pay for flood prevention schemes. [132480]
§ Mr. RaynsfordSection 137 of the 1972 Act permits parish councils to spend up to a given amount in a financial year on items that are 'of direct benefit to their area' in relation to which no other powers of expenditure exist. Flood prevention schemes might be regarded as such an item.
Primary responsibility for flood prevention measures is borne by other public bodies, however, with responsibility for ordinary watercourses generally falling to district and unitary councils.