42.This section requires all lead local flood authorities in England to develop, maintain (which includes updating and reviewing), apply, and monitor the application of, a strategy for local flood risk in their area. They must also prepare a summary of the strategy (see subsections (1) and (7)).
43.The strategy must at least set out who the risk management authorities are in the area and their relevant functions, the authority’s objectives for managing flood risk, as well as proposed measures to deliver the objectives, and timescales for implementation of the measures; how those measures are to be paid for as well as their costs and benefits, how and when the strategy will be reviewed, and how the strategy contributes to the achievement of wider environmental objectives (see subsection (4)(a)–(i)).
44.Local flood risk is defined as a risk of flood arising from surface run-off, groundwater, or an ordinary watercourse, which for these purposes includes a lake or pond which flows into an ordinary watercourse (see subsections (2) and (3)).
45.A lead local flood authority must consult affected risk management authorities and the public about its strategy (subsection (6)).
46.Subsection (8) provides a power to a lead local flood authority to provide guidance about the application of the strategy in its area and subsection (9) requires the authority to have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State about the strategy and any associated guidance issued by the authority.