§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
On what criteria their new scoring scheme for defending coastal defence was based; and [HL4478]
Whether the new scoring scheme for defending coastal defence takes into account any way of properly valuing heritage or historical sites; and whether local opinions are taken into account. [HL4479]
§ Lord WhittyThe Government provide grant aid for flood and coastal defence improvement projects promoted by the operating authorities—the Environment Agency, local authorities and internal drainage boards—subject to eligibility criteria which includes meeting a set threshold priority score. A revised scoring system took effect from April 2003, to apply equally to coastal and inland projects.
Proposed projects are allocated a score based on a combination of three elements—(i) benefits as compared to cost, (ii) the number of people protected as measured by the number of households at risk and (iii) protection and enhancement of environmental assets. Both (ii) and (iii) are measured per unit of project cost. Additionally, the score can be modified slightly to reflect (a) risk, (b) vulnerability of people in the area and (c) protection of heritage assets.
Estimation of project benefits and scores is a matter for the relevant operating authority using the Government's appraisal guidance which is published on the Defra website. Authorities are encouraged to quantify benefits arising from protection of all assets as far as possible, including heritage assets. Higher benefits will tend to increase a project's priority score.