Waverley Borough Council

Environment Agency flood defence levy

Flood Defence Levy

The Environment Agency's flood defence work is funded by a levy on the local councils.  Surrey is covered by the Agency's Southern and Thames regions. The levies are made on Surrey County Council.  The following information is published on behalf of the Environment Agency.

Southern Region

Environment Agency Southern Region is obliged to publish the following information under the requirements of The Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rating (Demand Notices) (England) Regulations 2003 (as amended)

The Environment Agency has powers in respect of flood defence along main rivers and along tidal and sea defences, in the area of the Southern Regional Flood Defence Committee.  Flood defence money is spent on the construction of new flood defence schemes, the maintenance of the river system and existing flood defences together with the operation of a flood warning system.  The financial details are:

Southern Regional Flood Defence Committee

   2008/2009  2009/2010 2010/2011
   '000  '000 '000
 Gross Expenditure  £55,930  £66,930 £65,650
 Levies Raised  £1,131  £1,154 £1,177
 Total Council Tax Base  £1,832  £1,839 £1,851

The majority of funding for flood defence comes directly from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).  However, where there are schemes which do not attract central funding the Agency may seek funding from County and Metropolitan Councils, Unitary Authorities and London Boroughs in the form of a Local Levy.  The Local Levy is shared on the basis of Band D Equivalents between all contributing bodies within the Committee Area.

Changes in the gross budgeted expenditure between the years is due mainly to fluctuations in the capital programme based upon national prioritisation.

The total Local Levy raised has increased from £1,.53,830 in 2009/2010 to £1,176,906 for 2010/2011.

Thames Region

Environment Agency Southern Region is obliged to publish the following information under the requirements of The Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rating (Demand Notices) (England) Regulations 2003 (as amended)

The Environment Agency has powers in respect of flood defence along 5200 kilometres of main river and along tidal and sea defences, in the area of the Thames Regional Flood Defence Committee. Flood defence money is spent on the construction of new flood defence schemes, the maintenance of the river system and existing flood defences together with the operation of a flood warning system. The financial details are:

Thames Regional Flood Defence Committee
   2008/2009  2009/2010  2010/2011
   '000  '000  '000
 Gross Expenditure  £88,357  £96,798  £113,089
 Levies Raised  £10,000  £10,000  £10,000
 Total Council Tax Base  £4,952  £4,988  £5,027

The majority of funding for flood defence comes directly from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).  However, where there are schemes which do not attract central funding the Agency may seek funding from County and Metropolitan Councils, Unitary Authorities and London Boroughs in the form of a Local Levy. The Local Levy is shared on the basis of Band D Equivalents between all contributing bodies within the Committee Area.

Changes in the Gross Budgeted expenditure between the years is due mainly to 0% increase.

The levy is being kept at the same level as balances are being used to fund the increased expenditure on flood defence projects.

If you require further details please use the following:

Customer Service Line: 08708 506 506
Incident Hotline: 0800 80 70 60
Floodline: 0845 988 1188
Web: Environment Agency website

Page owner: . Last updated: 10/01/2011 14:15

Information on…