Explanatory Memorandum for the Information of Assembly Members

Statutory Guidance to Risk Management Authorities - Flood and Water Management Act 2010

The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 identified new responsibilities for organisations involved in flood risk management including the requirement on all relevant authorities to cooperate and share information. 

Under Section 8 of the Act, the Welsh Ministers have developed a National Strategy for managing flood and coastal erosion risk in Wales.  The strategy provides a framework for flood and coastal erosion risk management underpinned by national objectives. 

Section 8(6) states that Welsh Ministers may in particular issue guidance about how Welsh Risk Management Authorities are to comply with co-operation and arrangements (Section 13(1)) and power to request information (Section 14) of the Act.

This guidance is issued under Section 8(6) of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.  Section 8(7) requires that the Welsh Ministers must lay any guidance in draft before the National Assembly for Wales; and it may not be issued if during the period of 40 days beginning with the date of laying (ignoring any periods for which the National Assembly is dissolved or is in recess for more than 4 days) the National Assembly resolves that it should not be issued (in that form).