Decision details

Proposed decision:

The Cabinet Member for Environment:

1. Endorse the proposed expansion of the River Stour Internal Drainage Board District

2. Endorse the trial expansion of the Upper Medway Internal Drainage Board and the joint working arrangement between the Upper Medway Internal Drainage Board and Kent County Council as Lead Local Flood Authority.

Reason for the decision

The River Stour Internal Drainage Board and Upper Medway Internal Drainage Board are seeking to expand their districts under the Land Drainage Act 1991 Section 3 (1) to align with the full extent of the natural catchment boundary.

Prior to the expansion order being granted by DEFRA the Internal Drainage Boards must consult with key stakeholders including the County Council. KCC does not sit on the Boards

Endorsement from KCC is intended to form part of the formal consultation process led by the Internal Drainage Board and does not constitute final endorsement of the expansion. The decision is therefore conditional and subject to:

• The outcome of the stakeholder consultation.
• Endorsement by other key stakeholders.
• Final approval by Defra via an Expansion Order.

Should Defra be satisfied with the consultation responses, they can proceed to grant and enact the expansion order for the Internal Drainage Board (IDB) under Section 3 of the Land Drainage Act 1991

Background – Provide brief additional context

Kent County Council and the Internal Drainage Boards are Risk Management Authorities for flood risk in Kent. Internal Drainage Boards are local independent public bodies responsible for managing water levels, drainage and flood risk within a defined low-lying area, known as an Internal Drainage Board District.

The River Stour Internal Drainage Board and Upper Medway Internal Drainage Boards are proposing to expand their districts to align with catchment boundaries. The expansion will streamline governance and improve oversight of planning which impacts on their watercourses and brings practical and environmental benefits, allowing the Internal Drainage Board to take a more joined-up and efficient approach to managing water levels and reducing flood risk across the whole catchment.

With oversight of the catchment, the Internal Drainage Boards can plan and carry out maintenance more effectively, respond quickly to issues upstream that may impact communities or land downstream, and apply its powers more consistently. 

There are no risks for Kent County Council associated with the expansion of the Internal Drainage Board Districts over and above the annual income shortfall from consenting of works to ordinary watercourses. The loss of income will be offset by reallocating staff resource to projects which bring external funding and there will be no net cost to the authority.

The expansion is considered to provide benefits for both Kent County Council and local communities by offering improved coordination of watercourses and flood risk management, increased resources through joint delivery of projects and improved communication with communities through a single point of contact.

Options (other options considered but discarded)

Not to support the expansion, however the expansion is considered to bring benefits to Kent County Council and local communities as per the above paragraph.

How the proposed decision supports the Framing Kent's Future - Our Council Strategy 2022-2026

The Internal Drainage Board expansions will deliver against Priority 3 – Environmental Step Change, Pledge 5.Working with partners, improve the safety and wellbeing of Kent’s residents and the economy of Kent through appropriate flood risk management, including the promotion of sustainable flood risk management practices in development, regeneration and land management, utilising natural processes where appropriate.

How the proposed decision supports Securing Kent’s Future 2022 -2026: Securing Kents Future - Budget Recovery Strategy.pdf

-       The expansion of the Internal Drainage Boards will not place any additional burden on the budget

As Cabinet Member for Environment I agree to:

1. ENDORSE the proposed expansion of the River Stour Internal Drainage Board District and 

2. ENDORSE the trial expansion of the Upper Medway Internal Drainage Board and the joint working arrangement between the Upper Medway Internal Drainage Board and Kent County Council as Lead Local Flood Authority