Purpose

To enable the council to continue receiving funding from Gloucestershire County Council to discharge its flood and land drainage consenting and enforcing functions under the Land Drainage Act 1991. The contract provides the funding for the council to employ a fulltime a Flood and Land Drainage Officer to work within Stroud District. This decision notice provides the relevant authority to enter into the relevant contract with Gloucestershire County Council.

Decision

To extend the consenting and enforcement agreement with GCC for flood and land drainage to cover the period 2026 - 2029

Reasons for the decision

N/A

Alternative options considered

Option 1 - take no action - do not renew contract. This option was rejected as it would disadvantage Stroud District residents who wish to apply for consent (e.g. to alter a watercourse) or those who wish to raise an enforcement case (e.g if a watercourse has been altered without consent). This role is also key to help manage local flood risk.
Option 2 - directly employ a Flood and Land Drainage Engineer. This option was discounted because it is not the most cost effective option for the council and working in silo does not produce the best outcomes for Stroud District communities and local environments.