Written question WQ85173

The Welsh Government provided each of the local authorities with £20,000 for the initial set up costs of each SuDS Approving Body (SAB) in 2019. Since then it has been the intention that the fees for making a SAB application should finance the SAB function, notwithstanding the fact that deployment of resources within Local Authorities is a matter for them. I wrote to the Chief Executives of the Local Authorities last December to make it clear that we expect the SAB function to be adequately resourced and performed effectively, the function being a statutory duty.

We have just provided our largest ever revenue settlement for Local Authorities through our Flood Risk Management grant, providing local authorities with the opportunity to apply for up to £225,000 for this current financial year. This grant covers work under the Flood and Water Management Act including work in relation to Schedule 3 of this Act on sustainable drainage and the SAB function. It is for the authority to determine what they apply for through this grant. The guidance for the revenue grant can be found here: Revenue grant: guidance | GOV.WALES

The review of SuDS currently being undertaken by Arup will look at the issues of fees and charges for delivery of the SAB function to assess how its working and we will consider and act upon any recommendations as necessary.