Lead Local Flood Authority
What is a Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA)?
Southampton City Council is, as designated under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, a Lead Local Flood Authority and so has the responsibility to work closely with key flood management authorities in order to manage local flood risk through a number of duties, responsibilities and powers.
Local flood risk includes flooding from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses. Responsibility for the management of flood risk from the sea, main rivers and reservoirs remains the responsibility of the Environment Agency.
The duties and responsibilities of a LLFA:
- Develop, maintain, apply and monitor a Local Flood Risk Management Strategy
- Establish and maintain a register of structures or features which are likely to have a significant effect on flood risk
- Approve, adopt and maintain Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) that meet the National Standards for development
- Work closely with other organisations to manage local flood risk and ensure the delivery of effective joined up management of flood risk
- Complete a Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment to fulfil the EU Floods Directive
- Investigate incidents of flooding (where appropriate) and publish the findings in a report
LLFA’s powers:
- Issue consents for altering, removing or replacing certain structures or features on an ordinary watercourse. Please see the Ordinary Watercourse Consent page for more information
- Designate any feature or structure which may have a significant impact on flood risk
- Serve notice on riparian landowners who need to carry out maintenance to their watercourse to reduce flood risk
- Commission works to manage flood risk and where necessary recover costs from the responsible land owner
Section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act describes how a LLFA should respond to a flood event, where deemed necessary. Our response process is outlined in more detail on our 'Flood Investigations' page.
