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Devon County Council (DCC), working in partnership with key stakeholders, will need to develop a 'Local Flood Risk Management Strategy' as one of its new responsibilities under the Flood and Water Management Act (2010) (FWMA). The strategy will define and document all of the flood risk management activities in the County.

Work will begin on shaping the content of the strategy within 2011 and will include input from key stakeholders and the Devon Flood Risk Management Partnership.

The Devon Flood Risk Management Partnership will to bring together key stakeholders in flood risk management to meet the Council's new statutory duties. The partnership provides a coordinated collaborative approach to flood risk management across the County. This informal arrangement is illustrated below.

Much of the local knowledge and technical expertise necessary for DCC to fulfil their duties as Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) lies with the District and Borough councils and other partner organisations. It is therefore crucial that DCC works alongside these groups and organisations as they undertake their responsibilities to ensure effective and consistent management of local flood risk throughout the county and to contribute to the provision of a coordinated and holistic approach to flood risk management across the county.

Aside from forming partnerships and coordinating and leading on local flood management, there are a number of other key responsibilities that have arisen for LLFAs from the FWMA and the Flood Risk Regulations. These responsibilities include:

• Investigating flood incidents – DCC will have a duty to investigate and record details of significant flood events within their area. This duty includes identifying which authorities have flood risk management functions and what they have done or intend to do with respect to the incident, notifying risk management authorities where necessary and publishing the results of any investigations carried out.
• Asset Register – DCC will also have a duty to maintain a register of structures or features which are considered to have an effect on flood risk, including details on ownership and condition as a minimum. The register must be available for inspection and the Secretary of State will be able to make regulations about the content of the register and records.
• SuDS Approving Body – DCC will be designated as the SuDS Approving Body (SAB) for any new drainage system, and therefore must approve, adopt and maintain any new sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) within their area.
• Works powers – DCC will have powers to undertake works to manage flood risk from surface runoff and groundwater, consistent with the local strategy for flood risk management for the area.
• Designation powers – DCC, as well as district councils and the Environment Agency have powers to designate structures and features that affect flooding or coastal erosion in order to safeguard assets that are relied upon for flood or coastal erosion risk management.