Governance

Overview

The Water Management Alliance (WMA) is a group of Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) working together to deliver efficient, collaborative flood and water level management. While not a legal entity, the WMA operates under a shared services model, managed and governed through formal agreements and oversight structures. 

Consortium Management Committee (CMC)

Governance of the WMA is overseen by the Consortium Management Committee (CMC), a representative body formed by the member boards. The CMC directs and coordinates all WMA administration in line with a formal Consortium Agreement. 

Each member board appoints two representatives to the CMC, which meets at least four times a year. All boards have equal voting rights and participate in reviewing CMC decisions, ensuring strong accountability and local control.

Legal Structure

The WMA is an unincorporated consortium. Legally, it operates as King’s Lynn IDB trading as “the WMA”, which employs shared staff and enters into service contracts on behalf of the group. This structure is enabled under Section 11 of the Land Drainage Act 1991. 

Member Boards and the WMA are also Risk Management Authorities (RMAs) under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, allowing them to collaborate with other RMAs through Public Sector Cooperation Agreements or Service Level Agreements. 

What the Consortium Agreement Covers

By joining the WMA, member boards agree to: 

1. Co-ordinate, oversee and direct its administration through the WMA Consortium Management Committee. 
2. Share the costs and responsibilities of employing admin. staff and running the central office through the CMC. 
3. Work with others in the group to collectively influence policy makers at a national and regional level for the benefit of all the Member Boards. 
4. Position themselves in the WMA group, so they are better placed to meet the increasing expectations of a public administration and respond to the challenges advocated by government. 

Procurement and Collaboration

The WMA is not a public body, and its internal arrangements benefit from Hamburg Waste and Teckal exemptions. Member boards are not required to tender services received from the Consortium. 

Instead, value for money is assured through: 

• Clear performance specifications 
• Regular benchmarking 
• Shared structural and functional oversight via the CMC 

Financial Reporting

The WMA operates as a Joint Arrangement Non-Entity (JANE). This means: 

• It is not subject to central government audit 
• Each Member Board uses its own independent external auditor to review WMA’s annual accounts 
• Transparency is maintained to confirm each Board pays a fair share of costs 

Governance at Member Board Level 

Each Member Board maintains its own governance structure, accessible via the relevant ‘Governance’ page on this website. 

Jurisdiction of the WMA 

The WMA has no remit to do any of the following for its Member Boards:

1. Exercise general supervision over matters relating to the drainage of land in any Internal Drainage District
2. Exercise control of statutory powers and duties, in place of any participating Member Board or other Risk Management Authority. 
3. Take any decision that is reserved to the Member Boards, as set out in their Schedule of Reserved Matters. 

Leaving the WMA

Any member board can withdraw from the WMA by giving at least 12 months’ notice to end on 31 March. Exit procedures, including TUPE arrangements, are outlined in the Consortium Agreement.