Supplementary Memorandum submitted by the Association
of Drainage Authorities (F58)
Further to the Association's submission and oral evidence,
I felt it would be useful to add a few words about the way in
which the IDBs are managed.
Whilst there are in place 247 independent boards these are
not managed individually and the considerable majority of the
smaller boards are within consortium or shared management arrangements.
In total 76 management "units" provide the service across
the three million acres of land within drainage districts.
Revised arrangements are under consideration at the present
time in Somerset, and if these are adopted, which seems most likely,
three consortia will be established covering 19 IDBs, reducing
the total number of management units to 68.
Over the years a number of amalgamations have taken place
whereby adjacent boards have fully combined to form a single statutory
body and it is likely that on a limited scale this will continue
into the future. More significantly boards have, whilst retaining
their independent status, formed or joined a consortium, in effect
sharing the management arrangements bringing the following primary
benefits.
1. Retains local knowledge and input closely linking
the IDBs and local councils. The contribution from members is
considerable in terms of "voluntary" hands on assistance
which is invariably lost in larger more remotely managed organisations.
2. Costs of providing flooding protection and land drainage
vary, often dependent upon whether an area is pumped drained or
not, retaining independent and often smaller boards enables the
costs, and hence drainage rates, to be more focused.
3. Sharing arrangements provides better service and use
of resources, and can invariably be provided to the individual
member board at reduced costs.
It would follow therefore, when the organisational aspects
of the flood defence service are considered, that the number of
Bodies managing IDBs is considered as 76, falling to 68 in the
near future.
If I can provide any further information please do not hesitate
in making contact.
1 June 1998
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