Effective flood response relies on strong coordination, clear roles, and robust planning across organisations. To support this, we worked with the Environment Agency to undertake a review of over 60 Multi-Agency Flood Plans (MAFPs) across England’s Local Resilience Forums (LRFs) and London’s Borough Resilience Forums (BRFs).
What Are Multi-Agency Flood Plans?
MAFPs set out the strategic and tactical arrangements for managing flood incidents across multi-agency partnerships. They are a critical component of local resilience, supporting preparedness, response, and recovery by clarifying how organisations work together before, during, and after flood events.
Purpose of the Assessment
The assessment provided a detailed and consistent evaluation of how well these plans support strategic and tactical multi-agency flood response. It was designed to provide both assurance and practical insight with the following objectives:
- Evaluate each submitted plan using a structured checklist and scoring matrix
- Provide clear evidence and justification for the scores and overall grades assigned
- Produce a summary report for each individual MAFP, highlighting strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improvement
- Assure the robustness of the review process by benchmarking it against international best practice
This approach ensured that the review was transparent, repeatable, and aligned with recognised standards for emergency planning and resilience.
How the Review Was Carried Out
Each plan was assessed against a consistent set of criteria, allowing for direct comparison across LRFs and BRFs. The focus extended beyond simple compliance, considering:
- Completeness of content
- Usability during live incidents
- Alignment with statutory guidance
- Operational clarity for responders
This methodology enabled a clear understanding of where expectations were being met and where gaps remained.
Key Strengths Identified
The review found that most MAFPs provide a solid foundation for effective multi-agency flood response. Common strengths included:
- Clear articulation of roles and responsibilities, supporting coordinated decision-making
- Strong recovery arrangements, with many plans demonstrating comprehensive post-incident considerations
- Broad alignment with statutory guidance, reflecting the significant effort invested by local partnerships
Opportunities for improvement
The review highlighted a number of opportunities to strengthen plans and improve consistency and operational effectiveness. To support this, generic recommendations were developed and shared with LRFs and BRFs, enabling targeted and practical improvements.
Conclusion
Overall, the review confirmed that MAFPs across England are largely fit for purpose and provide a strong platform for multi-agency flood response. By following the recommendations provided, LRFs and BRFs can build on this strong foundation and further enhance flood preparedness and community resilience.
If you have any plans or projects that need evaluating and testing, then please contact us to discuss how we can support you. Use the Get in Touch option on the website, or email enquiries@rabconsultants.co.uk or call our head office in Lichfield on 0330 223 6475. Let’s build resilience together.