Comprehensive spending review (CSR) 2007 - flood and coastal erosion risk management allocations
From the Secretary of State
The Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP
4 February 2008
| To: | Henry Cator Chairman Association of Drainage Authorities |
Dear Henry
I have today written to Sir John Harman at the Environment Agency to confirm budget allocations and targets for the Outcome Measures for flood and coastal erosion risk management over the three years of the Comprehensive Spending Review period. I enclose a copy of my letter.
The amounts available for Operating Authorities from within Defra’s Departmental Expenditure Limits are:
| £millions | |||||
| Total | Resource | Capital | |||
| ( | 2007/08 Baseline | 506 | 247 | 259 | ) |
| 2008/09 | 559 | 251 | 308 | ||
| 2009/10 | 592.5 | 258 | 334.5 | ||
| 2010/11 | 679 | 279 | 400 | ||
| CSR 3 Year total | 1,830.5 | 788 | 1,042.5 |
I am asking the Agency to allocate the budget between itself, local authorities and internal drainage boards on the basis of a prioritised Medium Term Capital Programme. I recognise that there may be some reservations from other Operating Authorities about the transparency of this and I have therefore asked that there should be a minimum of £110 million allocated over the three year period for coastal projects undertaken by Local Authorities and a minimum of £40 million allocated for non-main river works by local authorities and internal drainage boards over the same period. The Agency will need to inform the Department of the allocations by 1 March 2008 to enable the correct budgets to be set in Defra’s financial systems.
In arriving at the allocations proposed we have decided for now to retain funding within the Department for the introduction of measures to assist communities in adapting to future risks (£2/8/18 million) and for work which may arise from the recommendations of the review by Sir Michael Pitt (£2/12.5/20 million).
You will see that I have also set the Agency targets for the capital programme over the three years of the 2007 Comprehensive Spending review period for the Outcome Measures which were agreed following public consultation. I will expect internal drainage boards to work with the Agency to ensure that their part of the programme is aligned to deliver against all of these targets.
| [signed] | |
| Hilary Benn |
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modified: 4 February 2008
Page published: 4 February 2008