MARKET WEIGHTON DRAINAGE BOARD/LOWER OUSE INTERNAL DRAINAGE BOARD

NOTICE TO RATEPAYERS

PROPOSED AMALGAMATION OF DRAINAGE BOARDS

In 2006 Defra published findings of an independent review of Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs)¹.  The report outlined the strengths and weaknesses of IDBs and made recommendations for future improvement of organisational arrangements.  The Defra Project Review Board took account of these recommendations in developing an Implementation Plan for the future of IDBs.  A key indicator was that for IDBs to be viable they should have an annual income level greater than £500K.  Both Market Weighton DB and Lower Ouse IDB fall slightly below this income threshold.

IDBs are independent statutory bodies which have similar status to local authorities.  They are required to meet the same standards and are publicly accountable.  Minimum staffing levels are seen as crucial requiring expertise in management , finance, engineering, environmental, and health and safety disciplines to meet all modern day government requirements.  Presently the two existing Boards both rely solely on a Clerk/Engineer supported by a minimal number of clerical staff.

Defra want IDBs to follow sub-catchment principles to meet the strategic direction as set down in Governments stategy document 'Making Space for Water'² and to meet all future standards expected of a public sector body.  In recent years Government emphasis has shifted away from the traditional roles of Flood Defence and Land Drainage more towards Flood Risk and Water Level Management including Environmental enhancement.  This concept, based on whole catchments, is intended to achieve reduction in the risk of flooding to people, property, infrastructure, agricultural land and to improve environmentally sensitive areas.  These are Central Governments stated requirements.

Successive Ministers have sought to encourage IDBs to amalgamate into larger units to meet these requirements and to maximise efficiency.  In February 2008 the Minister for Environment published maps showing proposed sub-catchment Boards.  This model would effectively reduce some 154 existing IDBs into 23 new Boards by process of amalgamation.  The Minister stated that he wished to see these new sub-catchment Boards in place by April 2013.  In East Yorkshire the Ministers proposal was for Market Weighton Drainage Board to amalgamate with Lower Ouse Internal Drainage Board to form a unified Board.  The two respective Boards through their Chairman and committee structure have been in constant discussion regarding these proposals over the past 18 months.  Discussions have also taken place at regional level convened by the Chairman of the Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee.  Ultimately the Flood Defence Committee will be required to approve any proposed changes.

Questions have also been raised with the Minister through Defra regarding how these proposed changes can best be achieved on a local basis.  The responses have not been encouraging in terms of any possible flexibility, the Minister remaining adamant that he wishes to see the proposed changes in place by April 2013.  The new Flood and Water Management Bill³ reinforces this position where it is proposed that the Secretary of State shall have powers to restructure IDBs where they are seen as not meeting all requirements.  The new Bill will also provide for a more strategic national overview role to be given to the Environment Agency and that the lead role for flood risk management locally will be given to County/Unitary authorities.  IDBs will then be required to comply with national and local strategies set by these two tiers of authority.  This follows recommendations made in the Pitt report⁴ following the June 2007 flooding.

Both Boards have issued formal response to Defra on questions raised by the proposed Flood and Water Management Bill.  In particular they have raised concerns regarding the potential impact of reduced standards of maintenance on rural watercourses where such provision is fundamental to the very existence of rural communities in low lying areas.  In doing so they have engaged with NFU in taking a parallel message forward to Government.  It is crucial that IDBs are strong enough to influence the establishment of central and local policy on these issues if rural interests are to be protected.

Given this situation and all the issues involved it is seen that IDBs are left little alternative but to comply with the Ministers requirements.  The outcome of discussions between Boards is that it is now felt that all of these new challenges can best be met if the two IDBs do amalgamate to form a larger Board.  The new unified IDB will still be a relatively compact operational unit but will have more flexibility to respond to all new issues as they emerge.  It is considered that a single enlarged IDB will be best placed to serve the future interests of all ratepayers and the wider community by having greater strength in depth to meet the challenges which lie ahead.

It is proposed to put the wheels in motion to move forward with the amalgamation.  This is a complex and lengthy process which could take two years or more to achieve.  In the meantime the two existing Boards will retain their independence and will continue to function as normal while all changes are brought about.  This will doubtless create pressures for the Boards staff while management systems are gradually intergrated.  Your patience and understanding would be greatly appreciated by all concerned while these changes are taking place.

We commend the proposed amalgamation to you.  Thank you for your attention.

Yours sincerely

Jeffrey Atkinson, Chairman Market Weighton DB and Robin Screeton, Chairman Lower Ouse IDB

 Back to top of page

For source information see: -