Terms of reference
September 2020
The aim of the Devon Flood and Water Management Group is to provide a forum, attended by officers from all of the Risk Management Authorities in Devon as designated under the Flood and Water Management Act, to discuss current and future affairs and share best practice to aid the delivery of efficient and high-quality flood risk management services in Devon.
Membership
Officer(s) having responsibility for flood risk management, drainage and statutory duties under the Flood and Water Management Act within the Devon area:
Local authorities
- Lead local flood authorities:
- Devon County Council
- Torbay Council
- Plymouth City Council
- Cornwall Council by invitation
- District councils:
- East Devon District Council
- Exeter City Council
- Mid Devon District Council
- North Devon Council
- South Hams District Council
- Teignbridge District Council
- Torridge District Council
- West Devon Borough Council
Water companies
- South West Water
Environment Agency
- Devon and Cornwall
Highways
- Devon County Highways
- Highways England
Others
- Network Rail
Chair
Currently the Flood & Coastal Risk Manager at Devon County Council. Any nominations for replacement Chair to be on an annual basis. (First meeting of each calendar year)
Meeting frequency
Quarterly. Date of next meeting to be agreed at least one meeting in advance
Meeting location
Venue of meeting to be provided by Devon County Council as the Lead Local Flood Authority. Location to be agreed one meeting in advance.
Meeting costs
Costs associated with the meetings are to be covered by the Lead Local Flood Authority or specific host if alternative arrangements are made.
Agendas and papers
Requests for agenda items to be sent by the Chair a minimum of 2 weeks in advance of the next meeting and the final agenda, together with previous minutes, to be circulated by the Chairman seven days prior to the meeting date.
Reporting
A set of minutes and action points to be taken from the meeting and circulated within two weeks after the meeting by a member of the Devon County Council’s Flood Risk Management Team.
Terms of reference
To be reviewed and updated annually to accord with the appointment of a new Chair if appropriate and/or any new legislation or responsibilities.
Role and function of the Group
To ensure a consistent and unified approach to flood and water management activities across Devon.
To provide a forum for the sharing and dissemination of information on flood risk management.
To make best use of expertise in Devon. To encourage partnership working between the Risk Management Authorities and wider stakeholders such as Parish Councils and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) to ensure a collaborative approach is maintained.
To highlight areas of legislative change and to determine the implications for local Risk Management Authorities.
To ensure that duties under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 as set out in the Flood Risk Management Strategy for Devon are understood, agreed and adhered to.
To share experiences related to service development and the application of the legislative requirements.
To take direction from Devon’s Local Flood Risk Management Project Board, of which the Devon Flood & Water Management Group is a key sub group.
To provide feedback from national and regional groups and to ensure appropriate feedback from the Group back to the national/regional arena.
To seek development opportunities to address the skills gap in the flood and water management sector.
To provide feedback and comment on the development of Strategic documents such as the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy, Flood Risk Management Plans, Surface Water Management Plans, Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans and future revisions of the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment.
To share information, taking into account Data Protection issues, to facilitate the management of flood risk and to enable Risk Management Authorities in Devon to fulfil their functions in relation to the Flood Risk Management Strategy for Devon.