Question reference: S5W-21514
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 6 February 2019 Registered interest
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Current status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 26 February 2019
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-02764 by Roseanna Cunningham on 16 January 2019, how communities will be provided with sufficient funds to protect themselves from flooding, and what its response is to reports that, although the number of houses in potentially vulnerable areas has doubled, the flood prevention budget is set to decrease in real terms.
Answer
No country can entirely remove the risk of flooding. Our approach has been to ensure that investment is targeted to where it can have the most impact. Flood Risk Management Strategies and Local Plans have been developed to reduce the devastating and costly impact of flooding in Scotland. They coordinate the efforts of all organisations that tackle flooding. The Strategies and Plans concentrate the work of these organisations to where the risk of flooding and benefits of investment are greatest.
In 2016, agreement was reached between Scottish Minister and COSLA on a new strategic funding plan for flood protection schemes. The agreement guarantees that, for the next 10 years, the level of flooding capital grant within the local government settlement is set at a minimum of £42m per annum. This agreement will give local authorities the certainty they need to deliver the actions set out in their Local Plans to help protect individuals, business and communities from the danger of flooding.