Overview

This bill establishes new "rivers authorities" in England to improve flood risk management and cooperation between relevant organisations. It also makes changes to how internal drainage board expenses are calculated and allows for the disclosure of Revenue and Customs information for specific purposes.

Description

Rivers Authorities

The bill creates rivers authorities as corporate bodies, with their areas covering one or more local government areas in England. The Secretary of State has the power to establish, alter, or abolish these authorities via regulations. These authorities will have functions relating to flood risk management, including preparing plans, advising other authorities, and potentially funding or undertaking flood risk management activities. The bill details the authorities' composition, proceedings, and financial administration. Significant parliamentary approval is required for the creation and alteration of these authorities.

Internal Drainage Boards

The bill modifies the calculation of internal drainage board expenses, allowing the Secretary of State to regulate the valuation of land within drainage districts. This includes provisions for determining land values through estimates, assumptions, or references to other registers. The bill clarifies definitions for English and Welsh drainage boards and districts. Similar provisions are made for Wales, with power delegated to the Welsh Ministers.

Disclosure of Revenue and Customs Information

The bill permits the disclosure of Revenue and Customs information to specified bodies (including internal drainage boards) for purposes related to drainage rates and levies. This includes stipulations about onward disclosure, requiring consent from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. Offences are defined for unlawful disclosures.

Valuation of Agricultural Land

Amendments are made to allow for alternative methods of calculating the annual value of agricultural land for drainage rates, allowing the use of estimates or reference to other valuations, subject to appeals. The Secretary of State or Welsh Ministers can regulate this process.

Government Spending

The bill's financial impact is not explicitly stated. However, it will likely lead to additional government expenditure in establishing and supporting the new rivers authorities, as well as potential costs associated with implementing changes to the valuation of land and other administrative processes.

Groups Affected

• Internal drainage boards: Affected by changes to expense calculations and access to Revenue and Customs information.
• Local authorities: Potentially affected by the establishment of rivers authorities within their areas.
• Landowners: Affected by changes to land valuation for drainage rates, particularly agricultural landowners.
• Environment Agency and Natural Resources Body for Wales: Affected by changes to data sharing and inter-agency cooperation.
• HM Revenue and Customs: Impacted by the provisions allowing disclosure of their information.
• Residents within rivers authority areas: May see changes in flood risk management and council tax precepts.

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