Nearly missed this one…

The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill received Royal Accent on the 16th June 2009. The world leading Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 brings flood legislation into the 21st century for the people of Scotland.

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The Scottish Parliament has this afternoon approved the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill at Stage 3.

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The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill Stage 3 debate occurs this afternoon in the Scottish Parliament.

A briefing document has been prepared by the Scottish Parliament.

You can watch the debate live on Holyrood TV.

Not long now for it to get through final approvals and gain Royal Accent.

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Time to catch-up on the goings on at Holyrood in the name of flood management.

In light of the cabinet reshuffle, where Roseanna Cunningham was promoted to be Minister of the Environment, the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee appointed Maureen Watt MSP as their new convenor at their 25th February meeting. Video of this appointment is here.

The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill successfully passed through Stage 1 of the Scottish Parliament on the 22nd January and is currently making its way through the stage 2 process, with the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee considering the various amendments and preparing the Bill before it comes back to the chamber for the stage 2 vote. 

Videos of the committee meeting on the 4th of March and the 11th of March are available .

You can keep an eye on the progress of the Bill through the Scottish Parliament on the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill Committee page.

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Freuchie Flood Action Group was joined last Tuesday afternoon by representatives from the Scottish Flood Forum on a guided tour of the River Devon Natural Flood Management Demonstration Site by Mike Donaghy of the World Wildlife Fund (WFF).

 
Photo: (left to right) Paul Hendy of the Scottish Flood Forum; Mike Donaghy of the WWF; Neil Duff, John Thomson and Jim Mullen of FFAG; and Amanda Davies, also of the Scottish Flood Forum 

This WWF developed and managed project was established in 2003 to aid in the understanding of natural sustainable flood management processes and systems. It has previously been visited by members of the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee as part of their inquiry for the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill. A report of this visit is available from the Scottish Parliament website.

Shown below are some of the natural sustainable flood management techniques employed at this site: leaky barriers;  barriers to introduce meander into the river course; tree planting; and creation of bog land.

   
Photos: Various natural sustainable flood management techniques

Freuchie Flood Action Group would like to thank Mike Donaghy of the WWF for showing us around this interesting project and more specifically for giving us much food for thought for the future.

Mike Donaghy of the WWF is a world renowned expert on natural sustainable flood management and an advisor to the Scottish Government on flooding matters. He recently gave evidence on natural sustainable flood management to the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee and most certainly had a big influence on the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill currently working its way through the Scottish Parliament.

Technorati Tags: flooding, Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill, Freuchie, Freuchie Flood Action Group, natural sustainable flood management, River Devon, Scottish Flood Forum, WWF

The Courier has picked up on our praise for the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill on page  four of today’s newspaper.

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The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill Stage 1 debate occurred yesterday in the Scottish Parliament with all party support. A video of the debate is available on the Scottish Parliament website, but be warned it last for about two hours! Likewise, a transcript of the debate is available from TheyWorkForYou.com.

The debate was opened by Richard Lochhead  MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Minister of the Environment, with an interesting statement:

“This Bill represents the most comprehensive modernisation of flood risk management in Scotland for over 40 years. It is a co-ordinated approach which will deliver flood management at a catchment scale, allowing local authorities and others to take the best possible approach to managing flooding in their area.”

A very good summary up of what is needed by way of betterment in dealing with flood risk management and prevention and protection. 

Some interesting snippets from the Scottish Government press release:

The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill was introduced to the Scottish Parliament on September 30, 2008. It will streamline and speed up the development and implementation of flood risk management measures, introduce a more sustainable and modern approach to flood risk management and create a more joined up and co-ordinated process to flood risk management throughout Scotland.

Specific measures in the Bill include:

• A framework for coordination and cooperation between all organisations involved in flood risk management
• Assessment of flood risk and preparation of flood risk management plans
• New responsibilities for SEPA, Scottish Water and local authority functions for flood risk management
• A revised, streamlined process for flood risk management measures
• New methods to enable stakeholders and the public to contribute to managing flood risk

The first and last bullet points are of great interest to flood affected communities as it enshrines in law the involvement of all stakeholders when look at flooding issues. In the past many flood victims and affected communities have felt disenfranchised from the processes and systems that deliver flood management improvements. The community of Freuchie has already been working on the approach suggested in the Bill with the setting up of Freuchie Flood Action Group (FFAG) that cooperates closely with Freuchie Community Council. Additionally, we are currently exploring ways to improve communications and relationships with Fife Council in the spirit of the Bill. FFAG also has many specialist advisors onboard to provide information and advice related to the flooding of Freuchie and flood prevention and protection. Least we forget, even top politicians have been engaged so that our experience can be fed back to government; we’re looking forward to Mike Russell MSP, Minister for the Environment, coming to see us.

Roseanna Cunningham MSP, Convenor of the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee, pointed out that there appeared to be a culture of hard solutions amongst existing professionals. The new Bill makes it a requirements that natural sustainable flood management techniques are considered for all flood alleviation schemes. However, local authorities are still able to pass over natural sustainable solutions in favour of hard engineer where it is shown to be appropriate. Freuchie appears to be a good case for a hybrid approach, utilising the best of the natural sustainable approach and hard engineering to protect the community.

Liam McArthur MSP, reflected on evidence given by Jim Moodie to the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee on the 10th December 2008:

“Jim Moodie from Fife Council, who made quite an impression on the committee, as I recall, referring to the lack of interim arrangements suggested that this was quote,

‘A concern because there is nothing in the Bill to say that councils have to do anything until the management plans are in place.’

I accept that it would be a foolish, if not to say a short lived council administration that would sit on its hands and do nothing in the face of a demonstrable flood risk in its area. Never the less, I hope the Minister will accept the need to clarify the position regarding interim arrangements.”

Credit should be given to Mr Moodie for identifying and highlighting potential issues with the Bill at a stage when the deficiency can be corrected.

He went on to touch upon funding, returning again to quote from Mr Moodie’s evidence,

“The lack of a clear funding mechanism will mean that many schemes will not be delivered at all because funding will be allocated to what councils consider to be other priorities. He added, rather courageously perhaps, that our budgets are defined by accountants and asset management people who are not directly affected by flood prevention measures or functions. Mr Moodie doubtless had his work cut out in making his peace with colleagues once back across the bridge that afternoon, but his candor did suggest that assurances from Ministers about flood funding may still fall upon deaf ears.”

Bravo to Mr Moodie for fighting the flood funding corner. It is vital to ensure funds for flooding don’t end up being spent on other more populist priorities by local authorities. There looks to be a case for the accountants and asset managers to be independently briefed on flooding and the long term effects it has on communities. They would certainly benefit from a presentation by Paul Hendy of the Scottish Flood Forum.

Mr Moodie’s oral evidence can be viewed online – it is approximately 33 minutes in on this video recorded at the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee Flood Bill evidence session on the 10th Dec 2008.

Further details and Stage 1 reports are available from the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill committee webpage. The response by the ABI is particularly encouraging. More videos are available to view from the other evidence sessions for stage 1 of the Bill.

The Scottish Government appear to be driving flooding in the right direction and should be praised for such an enlightened and world leading approach. A significant step is the suggested addition of the word “sustainable” on the face of the bill in stage 2, which demonstrates the focus on a sustainable flood management approach.

A final alarming statistic from the press release:

According to MET Office records, going back to 1914, the summers of 2007 and 2008 were the wettest consecutive summers on record for the East and West of Scotland.

Let’s hope 2009 sees this alarming news being turned around in our favour. Jim Mullen, Vice Chairman of FFAG, presented similar findings to a public meeting a few months back based on SEPA rainfall data.

Technorati Tags: ABI, Fife Council, flooding, Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill, Freuchie, Freuchie Community Council, Freuchie Flood Action Group, Jim Moodie, Rural Affairs and Environment Committee, Scottish Flood Forum, Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament, Scottish Water, SEPA

Today saw the official launch of the Scottish Flood Forum by Mr Mike Russell MSP, the Scottish Government Minister for the Environment. Also in attendance  at the launch event held in Broxburn were representatives from the National Flood Forum, Scottish Government, West Lothian Council, SEPA and our very own Neil Duff and John Thomson from Freuchie Flood Action Group.

Before the official launch announcement, Freuchie Flood Action Group Chairman John Thomson persuaded Mr Mike Russell MSP to spend a few moments discussing flooding, the launch of the Scottish Flood Forum and the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill that is currently going through the Scottish Parliament. We’ve managed to splice together a little video of this impromptu interview and hope our amateur videographer standards meet the expectation of the Minister, who is a professional film maker. A big thank you to the Minister for being so accommodating and for being such a star in front of the camera.

High quality BLIP TV version…

The formal part of the day began with Mr Mike Russell MSP announcing funding over the next three years from the Scottish Government for the Scottish Flood Forum. He went on to state that Mr Paul Hendy will work with Local Authorities, SEPA and communities at risk from flooding with a view to flood prevention, flood risk assessment and assisting communities in the aftermath of flooding. Further, Mr Russell stated that flooding issues were the responsibility of SEPA for Flood Warning and Flood Risk Awareness notification and the Local Authority for Flood Defence.

Following on from the Minister’s opening speech, Mr Phil Awford, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the National Flood Forum, and Mr Paul Hendy, newly appointed Director of the Scottish Flood Forum, both made short speeches where they welcomed the Scottish Government funding that has made the Scottish Flood Forum a reality. They went on to provide some background to the scope of the project and how they hoped to improve flood support in Scotland.

Photo (Left to right): Paul Hendy, Phil Awford and Mike Russell MSP

It was heartening to listen to all of the speakers making reference to the effect flooding has on those affected, a point that clearly demonstrates a depth of understanding about flooding being much more than the material damage to property.

The official press release for the launch event:

News Release

November 10, 2008

NEW FORUM TO HELP TACKLE THE THREAT OF FLOODING

A new forum to support individuals to protect themselves against flooding was launched today by the Environment Minister.

The Scottish Flood Forum – funded by the Government, set up by the National Flood Forum and supported by SEPA – will raise awareness of flood warnings and self-help measures, while providing an independent voice for flood victims.

Launching the forum in Broxburn, West Lothian which was hit by flash flooding due to heavy rain this summer, Michael Russell said:"The new Scottish Flood Forum aims to give people practical advice which we can all heed to help protect ourselves against flooding, by raising awareness of flood warnings and self-help measures. "It is increasingly important to raise awareness of flooding in this way, following one of the wettest summers on record, and the risk is only likely to increase with climate change in years to come. "Flooding is highly distressing for its victims and the forum will also play an important role in providing an independent voice for those affected by flooding or at high risk from its devastating impact.

"By investing £180,000 in this forum, we aim to provide the means to help people identify and reduce flood risk wherever possible to protect our environment, our people and our economy."Chief Executive of the National Flood Forum Mary Dhonau, who has also been a victim of flooding, said: "It has always been our ambition to open a branch in Scotland and to give the much needed and necessary support to people at risk of flooding in Scotland. We are delighted that Scottish Government has recognised the valuable work we do and is supporting us financially to enable us to work with and support both the victims and those at risk of flooding in Scotland." SEPA Flood Unit Manager, David Faichney added:"SEPA welcomes the introduction of the National Flood Forum to Scotland and we look forward to working with them to help support Scotland’s flood risk communities."NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY – Monday November 10

13.30 – Minister for Environment, Mr Russell will meet local residents of Burnside Action Group affected by flooding at 14 Newhouses Road, Burnside, Broxburn, West Lothian followed by visit to Burnvale to see flood damage.

1.The National Flood Forum was set up in England and Wales in 2002, following the floods of 2000. The forum provides support and advice to communities and individuals who have been flooded or are at risk of being flooded. It is run by people who have had first hand experience of the trauma, loss and frustration of being flooded or have first hand experience of supporting the victims of flooding, both during and after the event.

2. The establishment of the National Flood Forum in Scotland follows a recommendation from the Flooding Issues Advisory Committee in 2007. Supported by SEPA, the Scottish Flood Forum will help establish a network of community-based groups in areas at high risk of flooding.

3. Scottish Government has agreed funding over the next three years;2008/09 – £23,500 (six months) plus £7,000 start up costs for SEPA 2009/10 – £50,0002010/11 – £70,0002011/12 – £36,000 (six months)

4. The forum will also promote a more sustainable approach to flood risk management through awareness, avoidance, alleviation and assistance. A commitment to sustainable flood risk management is a key element of the new Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill currently going through the Scottish Parliament. The Bill was introduced in September.

For more information go to:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/bills/15-FloodRisk/index.htm

Freuchie Flood Action Group welcomes the launch of the Scottish Flood Forum and more especially the interest and support shown by the Scottish Government, SEPA, some local authorities, local and national politicians and other groups involved in flooding. We hope to see Fife Council becoming an active participant in the Scottish Flood Forum project as it expands its scope over the coming months.

Photo: Neil Duff (left) and John Thomson (right) of Freuchie Flood Action Group meet Mike Russell MSP, Minister for the Environment  

Thanks go out to Mr Paul Hendy for the invitation along to today’s launch and to everyone involved in the logistics and organisation of this successful event.

We must also give special mention to the Minister and other officials from the Scottish Government, all of whom spent time listening to the flooding plight of Freuchie and then went on to offer advice and guidance.

The residents of Freuchie look forward to welcoming the Minister and government officials to Freuchie in the new year.

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Yesterday the Scottish Government announced the introduction of the new Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill, which looks to update current legislation and improve flood management in Scotland. Have a look at the official press release for more information.

Those of us with an interest in flooding may also wish to deliberate the actual Bill, explanatory notes and the policy document, all of which can be found here.

It will be interesting to see how this new Bill affects our campaign and the much hoped for flood prevention improvements. The announcement is certainly welcomed by all flood victims and those at risk of flooding here in Freuchie.

Technorati Tags: Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill, flooding, Freuchie, Scottish Government