Nearly missed an important Scottish Government press release issued on the 2nd November 2009 following the devastating floods throughout Scotland on the 1st November 2009.

02/11/2009

Commenting on the floods that have hit parts of Scotland over the past 24 hours, Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham said:

"Once again we have seen the misery and destruction flooding can cause. Our thoughts are with those whose lives and livelihoods have been affected by the overnight floods. I have asked to be kept fully informed of developments and will be keeping in touch with the councils affected. I’d like to thank all those who have again responded so quickly and effectively to minimise the impact of the floods.

24-hour Floodline
0845 988 1188

"Climate change is clearly happening on our doorsteps and flooding events such as these are likely to occur with increasing frequency. Everyone needs to be aware of the increased risks and, as we have seen in the last 24 hours, that doesn’t just apply to those living in areas where there is a history of flooding.

"Through SEPA we are continuing to invest in flood awareness and flood warning schemes to try and minimise the impact flooding has on families and businesses. I launched the latest SEPA awareness campaign only last Friday.

"We also need to take radical steps to tackle our carbon emission levels and to ensure communities get the protection they need, which is why we have recently pushed far-reaching climate change and flooding legislation through Parliament."

See it here.

Fine words and an admirable sentiment but we need to see more funds and thereafter further proactive action out on the frontline of flooding!

Technorati Tags: climate change, flood, flooding, Roseanna Cunningham, Scottish Government, SEPA

Cllr David MacDiarmid and John Thomson, Chairman of Freuchie Flood Action Group, attended a conference in Edinburgh yesterday that was suitably titled,

Holyrood ‘Sustainable flood risk management in Scotland:
implementation and key legislation’ conference

Photo: John Thomson, Chairman of Freuchie Flood Action Group, Paul Hendy of the Scottish Flood Forum and Cllr David MacDiarmid

Once again, John indicated to Roseanna Cunningham MSP, Minister of the Environment, that our invite to visit Freuchie was still open. It looks like our previous in person invite has been misplaced due to administrative changes in her team. An official invite is now winging its way towards Parliament. We’ll keep you updated on the Minister’s future visit.

Freuchie Flood Action Group would like to thank Freuchie Community Council for funding the place for our Chairman at this event.

Technorati Tags: David MacDiarmid, flooding, Holyrood, Freuchie, Freuchie Community Council, Freuchie Flood Action Group, Paul Hendy, Roseanna Cunningham, Scottish Flood Forum

John A Thomson, Chairman of Freuchie Flood Action Group, took time out today at the SEPA Business Flood Risk Conference to personally invite Roseanna Cunningham MSP, Minister of the Environment, to visit the flood affected village of Freuchie.

It was a delight for John to spend ten minutes conversing with the Minister just before she delivered an excellent keynote speech. We’ll bring you more on the content of her speech soon.

Freuchie Cricket Club will be heartened to hear she enthusiastically mentioned the “sport of the village” when first introduced to our man from Freuchie Flood Action Group. 

The Minister’s private secretary indicated it should be possible to set-up the visit for sometime in the summer – very welcome news indeed.  We can’t wait to brief the Minister on the road we have travelled and explain the big plans being put in place for the benefit of the whole community! Thanks go to the Minister and her team.

Technorati Tags: Freuchie, Freuchie Flood Action Group, John A Thomson, Roseanna Cunningham, SEPA

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.

Technorati Tags: Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill, Maureen Watt, Roseanna Cunningham, Rural Affairs and Environment Committee, Scottish Parliament

Some Freuchie residents have voiced their disappointment at the late cancellation of the visit to Freuchie by Mike Russell  MSP, then Minister of the Environment. We understand your feelings as it was also disappointing for the Freuchie Flood Action Group team who worked hard behind the scenes to pull everything together. However, the finger of fate has been both cruel and kind on this occasion!

It is far better for the flood hit community of Freuchie to be visited by the Minister with flooding as part of their portfolio now and in the future. As such, we can look forward to welcoming Roseanna Cunningham MSP in the near future and to working with the new Minister of the Environment and her team.

Once again, thank you to everyone who had been involved in the preparations and apologies for the short notice on the visit cancellation. Best laid plans of mice and men flood survivors… and all that!

Technorati Tags: Freuchie, Freuchie Flood Action Group, Mike Russell, Minister of the Environment, Roseanna Cunningham

The First Minister, Alex Salmond MSP, has today re-shuffled his cabinet. He obviously didn’t know that Mike Russell MSP had a long standing appointment this afternoon with the good folk of Freuchie! Unfortunately, Mike Russell was called back to Edinburgh as he headed out to see us! The reason for the last minute cancellation of his visit to Freuchie becomes apparent as he is promoted from Environment to Culture. We wish Mike well in his new role and thank him profusely for his past help and support.

Photos: Mike Russell promoted to Culture, Roseanna Cunningham appointed to Environment – © Office of the Queen’s Printer for Scotland

Fortunately, Roseanna Cunningham MSP moves from the back benches to Minister for the Environment, a wise and very appropriate appointment. As convenor of the Environment and Rural Affairs Committee she guided the new Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill through committee stage in the Scottish Parliament. The new Minister brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge of flooding issues.

Looks like we’ll be inviting the new Minister of the Environment to come visit us. We look forward to welcoming Roseanna to Freuchie in the near future.

Technorati Tags: Alex Salmond, Fife, flood, flooding, Freuchie, Mike Russell, Minister for the Environment, Roseanna Cunningham