The Environment Agency asks councils to collect a levy on its behalf for flood protection work. This levy is included in your Council Tax bill.
The Environment Agency manages flood and coast erosion risk for 5200 kilometres of main river and along tidal and sea defences in the area of the Thames Regional Flood and Coastal Committee. Money is spent on:
- building new flood defence schemes
- maintaining of the river system and existing flood defences
- the operation of a flood warning system
- management of the risk of coastal erosion
The financial details are:
|
2023-24 |
2024-25 |
Gross expenditure (approx) |
£140,213,000 |
£157,319,000 |
Levies raised |
£12,526,341 |
£12,775,615 |
Total Council Tax base (approx) |
£5,297,000 |
£5,365,000 |
Most funding for flood defence comes directly from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). However, under the new Partnership Funding rule not all schemes will attract full central funding.
The Regional Flood and Coastal Committees recommend, through the Environment Agency, a local levy. This will provide:
- local funding for local priorities
- contributions for partnership funding
The total Local Levy raised by this committee has increased by 1.99%. A change in the gross budgeted expenditure between years reflects the programme of work you contribute to.