Flood risk management partners invite views on how flood risk is managed in Scotland
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and local authorities are today (Monday 2 March) calling on the public and businesses to share their opinions on the most comprehensive assessment of flood risk, and its impacts, ever compiled in Scotland.
We have launched a joint consultation, which can be viewed at the link below, to help shape the future direction and delivery of flood risk management in the country.
The most sustainable combination of actions to help tackle flooding, in areas identified as being at the greatest risk across Scotland, are detailed in the consultation alongside information on where we can gain the most benefits from taking action.
Members of the public and businesses have until Tuesday 2 June to comment on the consultation. All responses received by this date will help inform the final flood risk management strategies and local flood risk management plans.
Scotland has been divided into 14 Local Plan Districts for flood risk management purposes. In December 2015, following feedback from this consultation, SEPA will publish a flood risk management strategy for each of the 14 Local Plan Districts. Each strategy will confirm the immediate priorities for flood risk management as well as set out the future direction to be taken by all responsible authorities.
Dr David Pirie, SEPA's Executive Director, said:
"This consultation is an important opportunity for people across Scotland to have their say on how flood risk is managed in the future.
"The main flooding issues and flood impacts across Scotland are set out in the consultation with a vision for how flooding should be managed. We have been working closely with local authorities to identify the most suitable actions to manage flood risk, and this is targeted towards areas where it will be most effective based on improved knowledge of the sources and impacts of flooding.
"We would encourage people who are interested in tackling flooding and reducing its impacts on communities across Scotland to get involved and make sure your views are heard by taking part in this consultation."
The Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Dr Aileen McLeod, will be visiting SEPA's Perth office today to meet staff and find out more about the Scottish Flood Forecasting Service (a SEPA/ Met Office joint initiative) and Floodline, SEPA's 24/7 flood warning service. Dr McLeod said:
"This consultation is another important milestone in the implementation of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009.
"Communities living under the threat of flooding know only too well the devastating effects it can have and that is why flooding remains a priority for this Government.
"I would urge everyone affected by flooding to take part in this important consultation, which will help to shape how we cope with, and manage, flooding in Scotland in the future."
Ends
Notes to editors:
The consultation has been produced by SEPA in partnership with local authorities. This co-ordinated approach to Flood Risk Management Planning has been driven by the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 (FRM Act) which has encouraged more partnership working between public bodies with a responsibility to raise awareness of flood risk in Scotland (SEPA, local authorities, Scottish Water, the National Park Authorities and Forestry Commission Scotland) and a greater wealth of knowledge and understanding of how flooding can be managed proactively.
Local Plan Districts (LPD) are the geographical areas for managing flood risk. They are designated by Scottish Ministers on the recommendation of SEPA, and each LPD has a lead local authority agreed by all the local authorities represented in that LPD.
The 14 'lead local authorities' are: Aberdeenshire Council, Angus Council, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Dumfries and Galloway Council, City of Edinburgh Council, Glasgow City Council, Highland Council, Moray Council, North Ayrshire Council, Orkney Council, Perth and Kinross Council, Scottish Borders Council, Shetland Council and Stirling Council.
The 'lead local authority' within each Local Plan District will co-ordinate and support the production of the Local Flood Risk Management Plan. The 'lead local authority' will publish delivery plans in June 2016 clearly setting out how actions to manage flood risk will be co-ordinated, funded and delivered between 2016 and 2022.