The Government recognises that local planning authorities are best placed to make decisions on planning applications and considers that planning conditions are generally best determined and monitored at the local level. Government supports local planning authorities and the Environment Agency to work together to ensure that planning conditions are correctly followed. The Government has no current plans to widen the Environment Agency’s remit in relation to planning applications. They are a statutory consultee and provide expert advice in relation to flood risk. Lead local flood authorities, who are best placed to understand local flood risk issues, are also statutory consultees for major planning applications with surface water drainage implications.