A group campaigning for authorities which oversee areas with drainage boards, set up by South Holland District Council, is marking three years of work.
There’s now 41 authorities in the Drainage and Flood Resilience Group, formerly the Internal Drainage Board Special Interest Group. It argues authorities like South Holland which have drainage boards are at a disadvantage because it has to give a large proportion of its council tax to them.
A spokesman for the group said: “it has increased the profile of financial pressures caused by the levies on council finances and how the levy is eroding the councils’ ability to invest in services. Its campaigning helped secure an additional £3 million from government for councils facing the greatest pressures in 2024/25, followed by an uplift from £3 million to £5 million in the 2025/26 Local Government Finance Settlement and a further £5 million for the most affected councils in 2026/27.
“Although the additional support is welcome, the latest £5 million allocation remains £9.37 million below the £14.37 million increase in annual levy costs experienced by councils since 2022/23.”
The group is chaired by South Holland District Council deputy leader Paul Redgate.
“Over the past three years, our councils have worked together to put this issue firmly on the national agenda,” he said. “We have secured additional support, strengthened relationships with IDBs and made sure the financial impact on councils is understood in Parliament and across government.
“However, temporary funding allocations do not resolve the underlying problem.
“Councils need a fair, sustainable and long-term funding arrangement that protects local services while enabling IDBs to continue their essential work managing flood risk and protecting communities.
“We welcome the continued engagement of Jim McMahon OBE MP, Minister for Local Government, and Baroness Taylor of Stevenage.
“The joint government review now needs to lead to a lasting and acceptable solution.”
