Flooding organisation could face an uncertain future under proposed Government changes
Organisations that help protect homes and businesses from flooding are urging the Government not to put their funding model at risk.
Martin Shilling, director of engineering and technical services at the Witham and Humber Drainage Boards, told members of Lincolnshire County Council’s (LCC) environment scrutiny committee that the Government’s proposed shake-up to local councils could change the way in which Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) are funded and pose a risk to their vital work.
Witham and Humber Drainage Boards is in a group of four IDBs with North East Lindsey IDB, Upper Witham IDB, Witham First IDB and Witham Third IDB. There are drainage boards across much of the south and east of the county.
The Government is planning to merge district and county councils together into larger unitary authorities through a process called Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
At a meeting on Friday, June 19, Mr Shilling said that the current funding model is “secure” and added that he was concerned that any changes could pose a threat to its financial stability. Local authorities that have drainage boards in their area currently collect a levy from residents as part of their council tax bills – and this is added to money from landowners to pay for the running costs of these bodies.
He added: “Funding for IDBs is going to be a particular issue over the coming years.
“Again, with the local authority changes within the county, it is going to be interesting to see how the IDBs are going to be funded in the future.
“Personally, I hope that the mechanism that’s kept IDBs running for the last 250 years doesn’t change.”
IDBs are independent public bodies responsible for managing water levels, reducing flood risks, and facilitating land drainage in low-lying areas.
Mr Shilling explained that the current funding model provides IDBs with financial stability and enables them to invest in flood protection measures across Lincolnshire.
He added: “That’s why we maintain what we do and we operate in the way that we do because the current funding mechanism is so secure.
“So, any changes to that really do need to be given a lot of thought and they do need to be thought through for the future and 10, 15, 20 years’ time.”
The Government is expected to announce its decision for LGR later this year – and this will include an announcement on how Lincolnshire’s local authorities will be restructured into larger unitary councils.