Regional Flood and Coastal Committees: membership and boundary change

Overview

Regional Flood and Coastal Committees (RFCCs) are Committees established by the Environment Agency under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.

They bring together members appointed by Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) and independent members with relevant experience. There are 12 Committees in England and each has a Chair appointed by Defra. 

We have 2 changes to the RFCCs that we would like your views on:

1. Variation of the composition of 3 RFCCs: On 21 July 2021, Robert Jenrick (Secretary of State for the then Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government) announced the decision to take forward proposals (following a public consultation) to reorganise councils in:

• Cumbria
• North Yorkshire
• Somerset

The local government reorganisations mean a change to the Constituent Authority Membership of 3 RFCCs in these areas:

• North West RFCC (covering Cumbria)
• Yorkshire RFCC (covering North Yorkshire)
• Wessex RFCC (covering Somerset)

The changes mean new councils will come into existence in April 2023.  There are no proposed changes to the number of LLFA members or independent members to the RFCCs in the affected area. But we are required under legislation to consult on any potential changes.

2. English Severn and Wye RFCC boundary change: When the English Severn and Wye RFCC was created in 2012, an incorrect mapping layer was used for the RFCC boundary at the southern edge. This has had no substantive impact on the running of the English Severn and Wye RFCC, as since 2012, the RFCCs have been working to the correct boundaries. 

It is now proposed that an amendment to the boundary map is submitted to correct the issue.  

Why your views matter

We are seeking feedback from all of those individuals, groups and organisations, who are affected by, or interested in, the proposed Variation of the Composition of the 3 affected RFCCs, and the RFCC boundary change. This is an opportunity for you to share your views. 

RFCCs have an important role to play in flood risk management, including:

• To ensure there are coherent plans for identifying, communicating and managing flood and coastal erosion risks across catchments and shorelines
• To promote efficient, targeted and risk-based investment in flood and coastal erosion risk management that optimises value for money and benefits for local communities
• To provide a link between the Environment Agency, LLFAs, other risk management authorities, and other relevant bodies to bring about mutual understanding of flood and coastal erosion risks in its area

To view the consultation documents and to submit your views, please click on the link below.

What happens next

We will not respond individually to responses. After the consultation has closed we will produce a consultation response document and this will be published on this consultation’s web page by the end of December 2022.