Working collaboratively
DWMPs are led by water companies but they’re developed collaboratively. We work alongside partner agencies and organisations to ensure our plans are aligned and processes are joined up.
We’re working with:
- Customers (represented by our Customer Challenge Group)
- Local authorities – including Lead Local Flood Authorities
- Landowners
- Regulators
- Environmental organisations
- Catchment partnerships
- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
We have a highly diverse region where our stakeholders’ own remits, boundaries and pressures must be taken into consideration. Developing a DWMP that works for everyone is a challenge, but essential.
We are proud of the stakeholder engagement approach we carried out in the non-statutory DWMP process. We'll expand and build on this achievement. DWMP28 is about going further, working closer, and delivering smarter solutions that reflect what matters to our customers and stakeholders. We're committed to partnership working and maturing partnership schemes collaboratively.
Stakeholder engagement for DWMP28
We’ve developed the following DWMP28 stakeholder engagement approach. This is in alignment with regulatory guidance, and informed by stakeholder feedback.
Our focus
Adopt new guidance, collaborate and innovate to align goals, reduce risk and find solutions.
Our goals
Promote inclusivity and accessibility to gain a broad perspective. Share knowledge and skills, produce a collaboratively driven plan and a database of project opportunities.
Our aims
Lead engagement to achieve a common vision with environmental and societal benefits through a comprehensive engagement approach.
Our stakeholders
Stakeholders that have a shared responsibility and/or interest in drainage, flooding and protecting the environment. Together with customers, communities and our regulators.
Get involved
Our DWMP is a shared plan, so it’s your plan too, and there’s a role for everyone. Whether you bring technical expertise, local knowledge, or a community perspective, your input helps shape smarter, more inclusive solutions.
Learning from our DWMP23
We held a series of workshops and focus groups at the beginning of 2025 with stakeholders who helped us draft DWMP23. We wanted to know how we could improve our engagement during DWMP28. The feedback themes are:
- Earlier stakeholder engagement
- DWMP28 scope development and technical deep dives
- Clearer understanding of the ask and benefits
- More transparent and collaborative engagement
- Accessible engagement and opportunities for partnership working
This feedback is helping to shape a more meaningful, transparent, and action-focused stakeholder engagement approach for DWMP28.
Time needed
We know your time is valuable, so we’ve made it easy and flexible to get involved. You can dip into brief online consultations, join focused workshops for key discussions, or come along to short catchups to stay informed of the latest progress.
Benefits for you
By getting involved, you’re helping shape a future that benefits everyone – cleaner rivers, greener spaces, and safer, more resilient communities. Together, we’ll create a long-term plan we can all be proud of.
More partnership-working opportunities
We're creating lots of opportunities for you to work with us to develop DWMP28 in every stage. We hope you can join us - we value your contribution and support.
Get in touch
Contact us for more information on our DWMP, to share your views or to get involved.