Decision details

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainability seeking approval of the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy for Southampton which details how the risk of flooding from different sources within the City will be managed over the next five years.

  (i)  To adopt the Southampton Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (2014-2019).

  (ii)  To endorse development and implementation of the actions within the Strategy that will need to be taken forward over the duration of the plan period.

  (iii)  To note that further reports will be brought for approval to proceed with individual projects once funding has been identified.

1.  To enable a strategic and risk-based approach to management of flooding in Southampton which is co-ordinated across the relevant risk management authorities for the area.

2.  Endorsement of development and implementation of the actions outlined in the Strategy will provide a mechanism for managing flooding on a risk based approach whilst preparing the City to adapt to climate change and sea level rise as it is realised in the future. 

3.  The Strategy will provide clarity and direction, to all interested parties, on the co-ordinated approach to be taken by the risk management authorities in managing the various sources of flooding across the City over the next five years.

4.  Adoption of the Strategy will facilitate future applications for external funding towards delivery of individual projects to reduce flood risk.

An alternative option is to do nothing. However, this option was rejected because the Council, as the Lead Local Flood Authority for Southampton, has a statutory duty to develop, maintain, implement and monitor a Local Flood Risk Management Strategy for the area.  Failure to make provision for the Authority to fulfil this statutory duty could incur legal, financial and reputational implications.

None.