This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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National Flooding Framework
06/03/2003
Funding of £9.3 million to support the construction of a
flood prevention scheme in East Ayrshire was announced
today as part of the launch of a National Flooding
Framework.
The national framework has been drawn up following
recommendations from the ad hoc committee of Ministers on
flooding issues.
Its implementation will feature a variety of actions,
including improved national guidance to better manage flood
risk and taking steps to improve awareness of the risks of
flooding.
In response to a Parliamentary question, Environment
Minister Ross Finnie said:
"The recommendations of the Cabinet sub-cAd Hoc
Committee will improve current flooding arrangements to
help overcome the misery and distress that flooding can
cause.
"We will look to improve awareness of the risks of
flooding through the provision of better flood risk
information, and additional flood warning systems.
"We plan to publish revised national planning policy to
strengthen the ability of planning authorities to prevent
unsuitable development where there is a significant flood
risk.
"We will manage flood risk better by improving national
guidance and administrative procedures for promoting new
flood alleviation schemes. We will also ensure national
co-ordination between local authorities, SEPA, and Scottish
Water through and will the establishment of a national
technical advisory group.
"We intend to improve awareness of the risks of flooding
through the provision of better flood risk information, and
additional flood warning systems.
"We also intend helping those who may be affected by
flooding by encouraging the take up of insurance by
householders, in particular those in the social rented
sector, and ensuring better support to those people
affected by flooding."
Meanwhile in Kilmarnock, Deputy Environment Minister
Allan Wilson said:
"Our National Framework and this £9 million investment
emphasises the Executive's determination to reduce the risk
of flooding in communities across Scotland and is a
significant first step towards delivering the commitments
set down in the National Flooding Framework.
"Over the years we have seen the distress that flooding
can cause. The actions we are taking today will help avoid
new flood risk, alleviate flood risk for communities, and
assist those adversely affected by flooding.
"In addition to today's funding announcement, we have
trebled our investment since 1999 to £40 million over the
next three years to further reduce flood risk in some of
Scotland's most at risk communities."
The ad hoc committee on flooding was chaired by Deputy
First Minister Jim Wallace and comprised Andy Kerr,
Margaret Curran, Ross Finnie, Allan Wilson, Frank McAveety,
and Lewis Macdonald.
East Ayrshire Council will receive funding additional
resources of £9.3 million from the Executive over the next
two years to support the Crookedholm, Riccarton and Galston
Flood Prevention Scheme.