“The Review believes that local authorities’ roles should be enhanced to take on responsibility for leading the coordination of surface water flood risk management and improving knowledge of all local flood risk in their areas” (2008:84).

The research we are conducting with West Berkshire Council has helped them work towards Recommendations 14 through to 19 of the Review.

These emphasis the need for local authorities’ to manage flood risk, work with all relevant parties and finally re-recognise that “ local government and society must begin to value more highly the importance of technical and engineering skills” (2008:xvii).