The Lead Local Flood Authority
Under the Flood and Water Management Act
(2010), Bedford Borough Council became a 'Lead Local Flood
Authority' and was given new legislative responsibilities for flood
risk management.
Our new duties as a 'Lead Local Flood
Authority' include:
§ Flood
Investigations:
Investigate and report on flooding
incidents in the Borough, where considered appropriate or
necessary to;
§ Register of Flood Risk
Features:
Maintain a register of structures or
features which, in the opinion of the authority, are likely to have
a significant effect on flood risk in its area;
§ Designation:
Powers to designate structures and
features that affect flooding requiring the owner to seek consent
from the authority to alter, remove or replace it;
§ Sustainable Drainage
Systems (SuDS):
Responsibility to approve proposed
drainage systems in new developments and redevelopments as a
Sustainable Drainage Approving Body (SAB);
§ Local Flood Risk
Management Strategy:
Develop a Local Flood Risk
Management Strategy to outline how to manage flood risk in the
Borough, identify areas vulnerable to flooding and help us target
our resources where most needed;
§ Consenting:
Undertake consenting of works on
ordinary water courses.
The Council has further drainage
responsibilities as a Highway Authority. Further information
can be found on the
Highways pages here.