Local authorities will ‘take the lead on the ground' in the event of future flooding in their communities, the environment minister has announced. Details of the proposed Floods and Water Bill were outlined by environment minister, Phil Woolas. The former local government minister said: ‘Local authorities have a vital role to play, and under the agency's overview, they will be supported to take the lead on the ground. We are prepared, if necessary, to back this up by providing authorities with the powers to ensure that organisations and landowners responsible fulfil their obligations, for example, by maintaining drains.'
