Purpose

The
LFRMS is the guiding statutory document that will enable the
Council, as Lead Local Flood Authority for Newham, to manage local
flood risk from ordinary watercourses. It also sets out plans to
work in partnership with other risk management authorities and
stakeholders within Newham and over neighbouring borders, to build
resilience and mitigations against flooding and the effects climate
change will have on the risk of flooding in the future.
 

Decision

Decision
 
For the reasons set
out in the report and its appendices Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree:
 
i) 
The adoption of the latest LFRMS (a copy of which is contained in
Appendix 1 to this report), to act as the overarching flood risk
management strategy for the Council, to fulfil the statutory LLFA
function of the Council.
 
Alternatives
Considered
 

a) 
One option available is ‘do-nothing’, but as a
statutory requirement the failure to adopt the LFRMS would not meet
the legislative requirements.

b) 
The ‘do-minimum’ would lead to a widening gap between
knowledge, delivery and resource, meaning opportunities to develop
and deliver on the Council’s objectives will fall behind
schedule.

c) 
If the Council wishes to provide a resilient, clean future for
residents, in terms of flood-risk management and climate change
adaptation, as per Newham’s adopted Just Transition Plan, it
is imperative that the strategy and the Council’s statutory
function is promoted, to ensure measures put in place to be able to
deliver raingarden and SuDS projects
throughout the borough.

d) 
Without adoption and an impetus being placed on local flood
risk

e) 
management, Newham opens itself up to enforcement by the
Environment Agency and the potential for being sued by a third
party for flood damage caused by a failed Newham flood risk
asset.