Analysing and evaluating flood risk governance in England: enhancing societal resilience through comprehensive and aligned flood risk governance arrangements

This research provides the first comprehensive analysis and evaluation of flood risk governance in England. On the basis of extensive policy and legal analysis of key documents, over 60 interviews and two workshops with key actors in Flood Risk Management (FRM), this report summarises the main findings from research conducted within the EU FP7-funded project "STAR-FLOOD". Analysis has been conducted at the national scale, with a focus on fluvial and surface water FRM. This was accompanied by in-depth research in three case studies, each selected to reveal insight into different aspects of flood risk governance.

Looking to the past, this study has examined the factors driving change and stability in governance in order to fully understand governance dynamics and provide insights into the potential opportunities or constraints to implementing future changes in governance. This has involved a comprehensive review of policy and legal documents, dating back to the 1930s in some cases.

In-depth evaluation of the efficiency and legitimacy of flood risk governance and its role in enhancing societal resilience to flooding, has also highlighted key strengths and weaknesses in the current arrangement. Based on this comprehensive analysis, this report proposes some key recommendations for strengthening flood risk governance in England.