Flood Officers Training Guide
As LODEG Chair I have developed this guide with London Councils, to signpost LLFA officers, particularly those new to the role, to useful resources, reports and publications that will support their work. It aims to provide a grounding in the background and current issues related to flooding, including legislation, reports and reviews from both a London and national perspective.
This may also be useful for sustainability, planning officers, highways, capital programme, green spaces teams and emergency management.
It is designed to be a dynamic resource which will be updated as and when new content is published, as we flag anything new at the LODEG meetings.
If you have any suggested content for inclusion, please contact angela.ramsier@lotag.co.uk.
Vicky Boorman Chair of LODEG
Start here - top reads
National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy for England Provides the objectives and measures for improving the management of flood risk. Also has a high level Road Map for delivery.
Flood and Water Management Act Created the role of the Lead Local Flood Authority, responsible for managing risk in the local government area, giving new powers to local authorities, Environment Agency and water companies. Also included Schedule 3 creating SABs, not yet enacted.
London's Surface Water Strategy Following significant flooding in 2021, the London Surface Water Strategic Group was formed, made up of key organisations with a role to play in surface water flooding. The aim is to drive forward the creation and implementation of the first London Surface Water Strategy.
2024 NAFRA2: National assessment of flood and coastal erosion risk in England 2024. Provides the most recent information on mapping indicating the level of flood risk.
Key Contacts & Organisations
A comprehensive overview of roles and responsibilities in managing flood risk can be found on the LGA website here
Further useful acronyms and London-specific organisational roles can be found below:
Thames Regional Flood & Coastal Committee (TRFCC)
Advises on how organisations work together to deliver an integrated approach to flood and coastal risk management across the Thames catchment. The Environment Agency is required to respond to its advice. Influence and approve the programme of new schemes and the maintenance programme. Elected members also agree a levy on Council Tax that is invested in flood risk initiatives.
Comprises 13 elected Council members (appointed by LLFAs) whose portfolio includes flooding, 11 independent members, who range from technical experts to residents affected by flooding, and a Chair appointed by the Environment Minister. Brings together RMAs from the Thames catchment.
Risk Management Authority (RMA)
Deliver national policies. These include the Environment Agency, LLFAs, boroughs, water & sewerage companies and Highways Authorities. The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 requires RMAs to co-operate, act in line with National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy for England and local flood risk management strategies developed by LLFAs, and exchange information.
Thames Flood Advisors (TFAs)
The TFA team was set up in 2016 by the TRFCC to support the delivery of the LLFA capital programme. They support individual projects and provide training for the 54 LLFAs in the Thames RFCC. The TFAs manage the Thames RFCC Natural Flood Management and PROSPER funding pots. See further information below on how to access their SharePoint site. ThamesFloodAdvisors@environment-agency.gov.uk
Thames Water
Thames Water supply the majority of Londons water and manage all our our waste water.
They have a Business Plan which is produced every 5 years and a Drainage and Wastewater Management Plan with customers and stakeholders to reduce future pressures on our wastewater service.
Drainage and Wastewater Management Plan | Thames Water
They also commissioned an independent review into 2021 floods - july-flooding-internal-review.pdf
Thames Estuary 2100 Adaptation Pathway Project
1.42 million people and residential property worth £321 billion are at risk from rising sea levels across the Thames Estuary. The tidal defences include the Thames Barrier, 8 other major barriers and a network of defences.
Thames Estuary 2100 Adaptation Pathway Project | Engage Environment Agency
Greater London Authority (GLA)
The Greater London Authority, is the devolved regional governance body of Greater London, England. It consists of two political branches: an executive Mayor and the 25-member London Assembly, which serves as a means of checks and balances on the Mayor. It produces a London Plan a Spatial development strategy The London Plan 2021 | London City Hall
National Flood Forum (NFF)
Independent charity supporting individuals and communities at risk of flooding, helping them feel supported, informed and empowered to reduce their flood risk. National Flood Forum - A charity to help, support and represent people at risk of flooding
London Councils
London Councils is the collective of London local government, representing the 32 London Boroughs and the City of London Corporation. Its Transport & Environment Committee is made up of all London borough cabinet leads for transport and environment, covering a wide array of issues including flooding. London Councils - Home
Catchment Partnerships
The Catchment Based Approach (CaBA) is a community-led approach that engages people and groups from across communities at a local level to help improve our precious water environments. London is divided up into Catchment Partnerships
Association of SuDS Authorities
Association of SuDS Authorities - Promoting Sustainable Drainage The Association of SuDS Authorities (ASA) can offer one voice to promote and provide consistency on SuDS Nationally.
Through discussions with Lead local Flood Authorities (LLFA’s) across the country support was given to the creation of a formal association supporting the delivery of sustainable drainage. ASA is a member organisation whose aim is to promote and develop the use of sustainable drainage within all new developments.
Knowledge Hub
Flownet
NFM - Natural Flood Management Fund
NFM is managed by the Thames Flood Advisors Team. This pilot project is funded using Thames RFCC Local Levy. It was set up with the aim of finding a more streamlined and efficient approach to delivering NFM projects in the Thames RFCC area. You can find all of the relevant information on the TRFCC SharePoint linked below.
PROSPER
Protecting People, Property and Environment with Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). The aim is to promote the adoption and delivery of SuDS. You can find all of the relevant information on the TRFCC SharePoint linked below.
Useful SharePoint Sites
Thames
to request access please use the form here for the following:
here you will find information about the work of the Thames Flood Advisors’ team, NFM and Prosper funding, advertisements for planned training and a catalogue of past training, and Community Engagement
National
Supporting Flood and Coast Projects - this site has been primarily designed for risk management authorities (RMAs) that are developing a flood and coastal erosion risk management (FCERM) project(s).
Flood and Coastal Risk Management Skills Academy is hosted on these pages.
Asset Information and Maintenance Programme Flood Asset Data EA and 3rd Party.