Local Flood Risk Management Strategy

Rutland residents invited to have their say on future flood-risk management

Rutland County Council is encouraging residents, businesses and community groups to take part in a public consultation on the County’s updated Local Flood Risk Management Strategy which will run from Monday 15th December until 5pm Monday 9th February 2026. Flooding can have significant and long-lasting impacts on homes, businesses, local infrastructure and the wider community. While flooding cannot be prevented entirely, the Council and its partners continue to work hard to reduce risks and strengthen resilience across Rutland. As the Lead Local Flood Authority, Rutland County Council is legally required under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 to have a Local Flood Risk Management Strategy. This Strategy explains how the Council will manage local sources of flood risks such as surface water, groundwater and smaller watercourses, over the next ten years. The updated Strategy builds on the previous 2018–2025 plan and takes into account lessons learned from recent flooding, including Storm Babet (2023), Storm Henk (2024) and the heavy rainfall in January 2025. It sets out a long-term vision for how Rutland can become more resilient to flooding, with the aim of working together with residents and businesses to tackle current issues, prepare for future climate impacts, and better cope with flood risk. To achieve this, the Strategy focuses on partnership working, making greater use of nature-based solutions, and supporting communities to understand and manage flood risk. The Strategy is built around three main objectives: • Work together to assess flood risk in Rutland and identify priorities for action. • Work in partnership to reduce the risk of flooding to homes, businesses and infrastructure. • Help communities understand flood risk and strengthen local resilience. The Strategy recognises that flooding cannot be prevented entirely and that funding must be targeted where it will have the most impact. It promotes a collaborative approach involving residents, landowners, parish councils, water companies, national agencies and Rutland County Council. Rutland County Council is now inviting residents to read the draft Strategy and Action Plan and share their feedback before the documents are finalised. Cllr Christine Wise, Rutland County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Transport, Environment and Communities, said: ‘It is important that we continue to work closely with local communities on flood management in Rutland and make sure our long-term approach is robust, realistic and informed by local experience. This is the next stage of the work taking place to help residents and businesses become more flood resilient and so it is vital we have your feedback through this consultation process.’ The consultation is open to all residents, community groups and businesses. To take part please go to www.rutland.gov.uk/floodriskstrategy or email LLFA@rutland.gov.uk for a different format.