Mr Stuart has welcomed an announcement giving local councils responsibility for managing surface water while the Environment Agency, under new Government legislation, is given the lead role in tackling flooding.

Mr Stuart said a lack of clear lines of responsibility between the local authority and the Environment Agency contributed to the lack of preparation for last year's floods.

He said: “The East Riding of Yorkshire was devastated by the floods a year ago and today there are still many residents who are unable to return to their homes.

“I will work to ensure that the East Riding of Yorkshire Council has all the powers it needs to provide us with the best possible protection from surface water flooding. At the moment we do not know who owns many of our drains and culverts and Yorkshire Water does not have full information even on its own network. The council must have the resources and authority to gather the necessary information and then develop a robust strategy to deal with the threat in future."

Mr Stuart went on: “My constituents have suffered enormously and want to know that the failings highlighted last year are put right.

“The Environment Agency must also rise to the challenge of its broader flooding responsibilities. It has neglected rural areas, underplayed the importance of maintenance of its assets and failed to listen to the voices of local people on their preferences and priorities. It now needs to change and start listening and working with communities rather than dictating to them. We can and must do better if predicted increases in rainfall aren’t to ruin more people’s lives over coming years.”