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• New Website Launch
• Office Relocation
• Amalgamation Update
• Broomfleet Washlands
• Proposed Amalgamation of Drainage Boards

New Website Launch

We are pleased to announce that the website for the new Ouse and Humber Drainage Board has now gone live. The website contains details of who we are, what we do, how we do it and why we do it. You can also find useful information about what to do should you wish to discharge into or carry out any works that may affect a Drainage Board watercourse. For more information please follow the link below:

www.ohdb.org.uk

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Office Relocation

Market Weighton Drainage Board has recently relocated the administrative function to new offices. The Board now has shared office facilities with the Lower Ouse Internal Drainage Board at Howden. The relocation is a first step towards amalgamation and will help the two Drainage Boards integrate their operations and processes.

The Boards new contact details are

                                Ouse and Humber Water Management Partnership

                                Market Weighton Drainage Board

                                91 Bridgegate

                                Howden

                                Goole

                                DN14 7JJ

                                Telephone: 01430 430237

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Amalgamation Update

We are pleased to announce that first stage of advertising the amalgamation of the Lower Ouse and Market Weighton Drainage Boards has been successfully completed. The Scheme for Amalgamation was advertised for a month with the 21st August being closing date for public comment. As no objections or comments were received, the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is now free to publish the Draft Order. This will be advertised for a period of 30 days and should then be followed by the advertising of the Sealed Order for a further 30 day period. If no objections are received then the Minister will be able to confirm the amalgamation ready for the planned Vesting Date of 1st April 2011. If you would like any more information on this matter, please contact our office.

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Broomfleet Washlands

MWDB and LOIDB are currently working in Partnership with the Environment Agency, RSPB, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, ERYC and the agricultural tenant to develop a mutually beneficial solution to the serious issues facing the washlands. The encroachment of willow coppice is having a serious effect upon the flood storage capacity of the washlands as well as putting a large number of diverse habitats at risk. Without prompt action this situation will become more pronounced.

The partnership, supported by Natural England, are currently developing a project that will deliver an integrated and sustainable land, water level and habitat management plan that will improve and protect this valuable local asset. Diverting pumped land drainage water into the open water network in the washlands will provide year round water level and habitat management. This project is a perfect example of how stakeholders with differing statutory drives can work together to deliver a mutually beneficial solution to seeming very complex issues. Please contact our office for further details.”

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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

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