Environment Agency: River Arun IDD Regulatory Updates for 2025-26 Detailed

• The Environment Agency currently manages the River Arun Internal Drainage District (IDD), the last of six inherited IDDs in Sussex.
• The agency will continue acting as the IDB until a new administrative strategy is determined with local stakeholders.
• Recent River Arun IDD regulatory updates include numerous additions and removals of governance, audit, and maintenance documents for the 2023-2024, 2024-2025, and 2025-2026 financial years.
• Key updates feature new Section 48 notices, revised maintenance programmes, and details on public rights, charges, and levies.
• Stakeholders are invited to engage with the Arun IDB to help shape the future management of flood risk in the district.

The Environment Agency continues to operate as the acting IDB for this district, a role it will maintain until a definitive alternative strategy can be collaboratively developed and agreed upon with all relevant stakeholders within the River Arun IDD.

Internal drainage districts (IDDs) are designated areas where specialized public bodies, known as internal drainage boards (IDBs), are tasked with managing water levels. This critical function addresses specific drainage needs within these regions, primarily to mitigate flood risk. Historically, the Environment Agency assumed administrative responsibility for six such IDDs located across Sussex. Over time, five of these six districts have been formally dissolved, leaving the River Arun as the sole remaining IDD under the Environment Agency's direct administration in the area.

The primary objective for the River Arun IDD is the effective management of flood risk, ensuring the protection of local communities and infrastructure. The Environment Agency continues to operate as the acting IDB for this district, a role it will maintain until a definitive alternative strategy can be collaboratively developed and agreed upon with all relevant stakeholders within the River Arun IDD. This ongoing arrangement underscores the importance of continuous oversight in areas prone to water level fluctuations.

A series of significant River Arun IDD regulatory updates have been implemented, reflecting ongoing efforts to maintain transparency and compliance in its operations. For the financial year 2025 to 2026, several key documents have been updated or added. These include provisions detailing the exercise of public rights, the annual governance and accountability return, and the annual internal audit report. Furthermore, new information regarding matters of internal control, the annual governance statement, and accounting statements has been made available, alongside an updated maintenance programme. The Arun IDB Maintenance Programme for 2026-2027 also saw its dates edited, and additional regulatory guidance was removed from the published materials. A River Arun Section 48 notice, pertaining to the year ending 31 March 2027, was also introduced.

Further regulatory adjustments encompass the 2024-2025 period, with the addition of a notice of conclusion of audit and Section 3 of the annual governance statements. Concurrently, previous documentation from 2023-2024 was removed to reflect these newer updates. A specific correction was also made to one date within the exercise of public rights document. Additional governance statements and exercise of public rights documents for 2024-2025 were subsequently added, again leading to the removal of corresponding 2023-2024 documents. The internal drainage district planned maintenance programme for 2025 to 2026 was also incorporated, alongside a River Arun Section 48 notice for the year ending 31 March 2026, and details on new charges and special levies.

For the 2023 to 2024 financial year, the regulatory framework saw the addition of a notice of conclusion of audit and Section 3 of the annual governance statement. A document outlining matters of internal control for 2023 to 2024 was also published. HTML versions of the River Arun annual governance and accounting statements, as well as governance and accountability returns, were made available for this period. Corresponding documents from 2022-2023 were subsequently deleted to ensure the most current information is presented. These comprehensive updates highlight the dynamic nature of compliance and reporting requirements for the River Arun IDD.

The Environment Agency remains committed to its role as the acting IDB for the River Arun IDD, actively seeking an "alternative route forward" in collaboration with local stakeholders. This collaborative approach is crucial for determining the long-term administrative structure and operational strategies for flood risk management within the district. Individuals interested in obtaining further information or wishing to participate in this process are encouraged to contact the Arun IDB directly via email at riverarunidb@environment-agency.gov.uk.

To ensure broad accessibility, HTML equivalents have been provided for certain PDF documents, aligning with current accessibility regulations. For historical context and previous documentation related to the River Arun IDD, content is archived and available through the National Archives. General inquiries beyond specific stakeholder involvement can be directed to enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk, ensuring multiple channels for public engagement and information dissemination regarding the River Arun IDD's ongoing management.

Source: Original reporting via GOV.UK policy paper