The Head of Corporate Strategy has submitted a report to seek approval to enter into an agency agreement with Oxfordshire County Council under Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972 and Section 19 of the Local Government Act 2000 to undertake duties relating to the Land Drainage Act 1991/Flood and Water Management Act 2010, on behalf of and as an agent of Oxfordshire County Council as Lead Local Flood Authority.

Cabinet is recommended to:

1.       Grant approval to enter into an agency agreement with Oxfordshire County Council pursuant to Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972 and Section 19 of the Local Government Act 2000 to undertake ordinary watercourse consenting and other duties relating to the Land Drainage Act 1991/Flood and Water Management Act 2010 on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council, as described in the report.

The Head of Corporate Strategy had submitted a report to seek approval to enter into an agency agreement with Oxfordshire County Council under Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972 and Section 19 of the Local Government Act 2000 to undertake duties relating to the Land Drainage Act 1991/Flood and Water Management Act 2010, on behalf of and as an agent of Oxfordshire County Council as Lead Local Flood Authority.

Councillor Nigel Chapman, Cabinet Member for Citizen Focused Services and Council Companies, reported that the Council had already been undertaking some of the works covered by the report on behalf of the County Council (as the Lead Local Flood Authority) for a significant amount of time.  This involved investigating floods in the city; issues around water course construction; and licences to move water courses.  Approval was now being sought to formalise the arrangement in return for a sum from the County Council which was considered reasonable and would cover the costs.  The City Council already had officers with the expertise to undertake the work.

The risks associated with entering into the agreement were considered to be minimal given the length of time in which the Council had already been undertaking the work, and the lack of any previously identified issues.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.       Grant approval to enter into an agency agreement with Oxfordshire County Council pursuant to Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972 and Section 19 of the Local Government Act 2000 to undertake ordinary watercourse consenting and other duties relating to the Land Drainage Act 1991/Flood and Water Management Act 2010 on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council, as described in the report.