Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to help improve the (a) coordination and (b) efficiency between (i) Government and (ii) local authority agencies in responding to flash flooding and storms in Somerset.

As discussed when we met earlier this year, protecting communities from flooding is a key priority for this Government. We recognise the devastation the storms this winter have caused to those affected.

The Avon and Somerset Local Resilience Forum brings together organisations involved in preparing, responding and recovering from civil contingency risks, including flooding and storms. This includes the Local Authorities and the Environment Agency. After major events, Local Resilience Forums typically conduct a review to consider if there are changes required.

Somerset residents also benefit from the Somerset Rivers Authority. This brings together all the flood risk management authorities regularly so that the complex nature of flooding can be managed effectively and efficiently. The Regional Flood and Coastal Committee chair attends these meetings ensuring fully integrated public investment in flood risk management.

After any significant flood event in Somerset, flood risk management authorities work together to deliver flood drop-in engagement events for impacted communities and businesses. These events are an opportunity to better understand what happened, what can be done, and to provide support and advice for affected residents.

If there are nationally significant lessons identified from these discussions, they can be submitted to Defra for consideration, including by the Floods Resilience Taskforce.