Overview
This forum will provide attendees with the latest updates, guidance and funding plans around the government’s long-term multi-billion pound flooding protection strategy announced in July 2020. Furthermore, attendees will be able to discuss and evaluate best practice innovations from local councils at the forefront of effective flood defence.
Policy Background
Over 5.2 million homes and properties in England are at risk from flooding and coastal erosion, according to the Environment Agency. With February 2020 the wettest ever February recorded in England it is crucial for government and local authorities to start investing in long-term flood prevention and risk management measures.
Whilst investment in flood prevention schemes protected 126,000 properties in February 2020, the economic loss was estimated at around £333 million. Since 2007, thanks to investment and infrastructure, progressively fewer properties have been flooded. However, significant floods in 2007, 2015/16 and 2019/20 have still caused extensive damage. Between 2015 and 2021 the government will have invested £2.6 billion of funding to better protect 300,000 homes. Long-term strategies are needed to ensure the future protection of properties and livelihoods from flooding and the resulting economic damage.
The government is taking multiple steps to improve flood protection and manage risk. In the 2020 Budget it committed to doubling expenditure on flood and coastal risk management to £5.2 billion between 2021 and 2027. The Environment Bill and Agriculture Bill have outlined the need for a more integrated approach to flood risk and water resource management through the Environmental Land Management scheme. The latest progress report on the 25 Year Environment Plan, published in March 2020, outlines a further £200 million investment over 6 years from 2021 to pilot innovative actions to improve long-term flood and coastal resilience of 25 local areas across the country.
In July 2020, the Environment Agency published its Flood and Coastal Risk Management Strategy (FCERM), focusing on a long-term vision for “a nation ready for, and resilient to, flooding and coastal change- today, tomorrow and to the year 2100”. Earlier this year it also published a National Framework for Water Resources, exploring England’s long-term water needs. The Environment Agency maintains strategic overview and leadership for flood management and protection, working closely with government.
In order to ensure long-term protection from flooding for local communities there is a need for collaboration between local authorities, the third sector, businesses, the agricultural industry and individuals. Working together will allow for better planning to support the government’s long-term objectives for more resilient and coordinated flood management, prevention and protection systems. Helping to protect local communities, the environment, and the economy.
Watch this video to find out more about the online event experience.
Key Features of an Online IG Event
Key Speakers
Agenda
Throughout the Conference you will be able to make use of:
- Match making networking and live delegate meet ups
- Replay functions so you never miss a session
- Live chat, questioning and polling tools
- Real time resources and presentations
- A next generation conference engagement platform
Before proceedings get underway, this short explainer session will explore how you can get the most out of our new next generation Conference platform.
Our IG Central and Local Government Team will run through how to make virtual connections, creating networking meet ups, accessing content on demand and how to use our new Q&A, chat functions and virtual polling tools.
An introduction to the key themes for the day including exploring the latest Government policy and funding, developing practical solutions for tackling flooding and sharing best practice for flood prevention.
Exploring the 5 policies in the Government’s July 2020 policy statement on flood and coastal erosion risk management
- Upgrading and expanding our flood defences
- Managing the flow of water
- Harnessing the power of nature
- Better preparing communities for when flooding and erosion does occur
- Enabling more resilient places through a catchment based approach
This session provides delegates with the opportunity to engage with Defra and ask questions on the latest government policy and funding announcements. Make the most of this opportunity by using our interactive chat and questions function.
- Exploring the Environment Agency’s latest long-term strategy for managing and boosting resilience to flooding in their National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy for England (FCERM), published in 2020
- Understanding the importance of a longer-term strategy and vision for investment needs, to mitigate future risks
- Highlighting the strategic overview role of the Environment Agency and how it exercises leadership and overall management of flooding and coastal change
- Outlining the three core ambitions to ensure future flood resilience in England including:
- Climate resilient places
- Today’s growth, and infrastructure resilience in tomorrow’s climate
- A nation ready to respond and adapt to flooding and coastal change
This session will focus on practical natural flood management solutions, exploring best practice implemented across Leeds
- Focusing on natural techniques such as planting trees, building log dams, woodland management and installing fence line as solutions for flood alleviation work
- Exploring how Leeds City Council used £500,000 of funding for natural methods to slow the flow of water from upstream in the catchment area
- Discovering top tips for working in partnership between local and national authorities as well as landowners and key partners through exploring the successful delivery of the Natural Flood Management Programme in Leeds
- Sharing findings from the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme and lessons learnt from the natural flood management pilot to provide innovative solutions for future projects
Your opportunity to make the most of the virtual platform, meet up with fellow delegates, make connections and tour our real-time resources and content.
Don’t forget if you’ve missed a session, you can use our replay functions, so you can watch all the content on demand at a time that suits you.
- Sharing how undertaking an Independent Flood Review informed future flood resilience best practice across Milton Keynes
- Developing a framework for Milton Keynes Council and other organisations to support future collaboration and improve flood resilience
- Analysing the effects and response of the May 2018 floods and how this has provided communities with a variety of tools to help cope with future extreme weather events
- Outlining how a comprehensive review of flood prevention and response measures have provided justification for future investment in local infrastructure and helped increase the community’s resilience to flooding
Finalist of Flood and Coast’s 2020 Project Excellence Awards in the ‘Community Partnerships’ Category
- Exploring how the London Borough of Hillingdon worked in partnership with the Environment Agency, local Flood Action Groups, the Ruislip Residents’ Association, and the Ruislip Woods Management Advisory Group to develop a proposal for extensive flood management work in the borough
- Sharing the timeline for the Park Wood and Pinn Meadows Flood Partnership project and how it aims to combine traditional flood risk management techniques with natural flood management
- Detailing the process of securing funding for the project, through partnerships and local networks as well as contracts with local business who benefit from the project
- Understanding and tackling the additional challenges of flood risk management in an urban setting
Your opportunity to make the most of the virtual platform, meet up with fellow delegates, make connections and tour our real-time resources and content.
Don’t forget if you’ve missed a session, you can use our replay functions, so you can watch all the content on demand at a time that suits you.
- Highlighting the importance of Flood Action Groups (FAGs) for the development of coordinated flood management and response strategies in local communities
- Exploring how Catchment Based Approach (CaBA) Partnerships and FAGs can effectively work collaboratively to minimise flood risk
- Evaluating the Flood Risk Communities’ Charter and the key priorities communities wish to address including ensuring communities are at the heart of flood risk management and developing an integrated approach to water management
- Sharing the development of a ‘Virtual Information Trailer’ and how it offered help, support and advice in Shropshire in line with COVID-19 guidelines in the aftermath of flooding earlier this year
In this interactive panel discussion hear from international experts about new and innovative ways to enhance flood resilience.
- Discussing innovative flood prevention measures from other countries which are also at high risk of flooding
- Sharing ideas for effective water management strategies and prevention of river and coastal flooding, especially preparation for extreme weather events
- Mitigating the economic impact of flooding through investment in long-term preventative measures
- Exploring how to work in partnership and share best practice internationally in order to develop sustainable and long-term solutions
This workshop will help you in ensuring your local flooding plan is up to date and effective for dealing with flooding and coastal erosion, as outlined in the Government’s FCERM Strategy.
- Learn how to update your local flooding plan and ensure it is constantly being reviewed in order to account for changes in your local area
- Ensure you understand your local vulnerabilities by developing a comprehensive Flood Risk Management Strategy
- Effectively prepare for flooding events in order to improve response measures and allow for better recovery in the long-term
- Explore how you can work with other partners in your community to create a local flood plan and respond to emergencies in a joined-up approach
- Update your plan to ensure it considers demographic changes and the future challenges of climate change
Following the final session, delegates will still have access to the event platform, to continue conversations with peers and for accessing resources.
*Programme Subject to Change
Audience
This Forum is specifically designed to be a multi-sector event including local authorities, fire and rescue services and the voluntary sector. Focusing on the importance of cross-sector collaboration in effectively reducing the risk and impact of flooding. Typical job titles attending this event include:
- Flood Risk Managers
- Emergency Planning Officers
- Heads of Planning
- Heads of Resilience
- Risk and Resilience Managers
- Operations Managers
- Project & Major Project Managers
- Civil Contingencies Managers
- District Commanders
- Business Continuity Managers
