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Scottish flood defence cuts criticised as Sepa warns of more flooding Scottish flood defence cuts criticised as Sepa warns of more flooding
(35 minutes later)
The Scottish government has been urged to carry out an urgent review of flood defences as forecasters warned of further flooding in the north-east of the country, with some rivers not peaking until Monday morning.The Scottish government has been urged to carry out an urgent review of flood defences as forecasters warned of further flooding in the north-east of the country, with some rivers not peaking until Monday morning.
Scottish Labour made the call as it emerged that the Scottish National party government is to cut the budget of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) – the country’s flood-forecasting and risk-management agency – by 6%, or £2.4m, in the next financial year.Scottish Labour made the call as it emerged that the Scottish National party government is to cut the budget of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) – the country’s flood-forecasting and risk-management agency – by 6%, or £2.4m, in the next financial year.
Responsibility for flood-defence investment was transferred back to Scotland’s 32 local authorities by the SNP in 2007. At the time, Scottish Labour warned against the removal of ring-fencing for flood-defence budgets and councils struggled with underfunding following the council tax freeze. Responsibility for flood defence investment was transferred back to Scotland’s 32 local authorities by the SNP in 2007. At the time, Scottish Labour warned against the removal of ringfencing for flood defence budgets and councils struggled with underfunding following the council tax freeze.
Sarah Boyack MSP, Scottish Labour’s spokesperson on the environment, said: “Given that we know there is more bad weather on the way, the SNP need to think again about the proposal to cut Sepa’s budget.Sarah Boyack MSP, Scottish Labour’s spokesperson on the environment, said: “Given that we know there is more bad weather on the way, the SNP need to think again about the proposal to cut Sepa’s budget.
“There needs to be an urgent review by all local authorities of their flood defences and the SNP government will need to make good on the promise made by the first minister to provide extra financial resources where they are needed.”“There needs to be an urgent review by all local authorities of their flood defences and the SNP government will need to make good on the promise made by the first minister to provide extra financial resources where they are needed.”
But Richard Dixon, director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, who has studied flood-defence policy over many years, argues: “Flooding is a higher political priority in Scotland.” But Richard Dixon, director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, who has studied flood defence policy over many years, backed the SNP policy: “Flooding is a higher political priority in Scotland.” Dixon believes that devolving responsibility for flood defences to local authorities was preferable to the centralised Environment Agency in England and Wales. “This makes decision-making more locally democratic and councils can be more aware of public mood.”
Dixon believes that devolving responsibility for flood defences to local authorities was preferable to the centralised Environment Agency in England and Wales. “This makes decision-making more locally democratic and councils can be more aware of public mood.”
He added that while the Environment Agency was facing serious cuts: “In Scotland, when a local authority tells the Scottish government that it needs money for flood defence, it is usually found.”He added that while the Environment Agency was facing serious cuts: “In Scotland, when a local authority tells the Scottish government that it needs money for flood defence, it is usually found.”
The Scottish government blamed the reduction in Sepa’s budget on cuts passed on from Westminster. The Scottish government blamed the reduction in Sepa’s budget on cuts passed on from Westminster. A spokesperson said: “We will continue to support Sepa in the face of real-term cuts imposed on the Scottish budget by the UK government every year from now until 2020.
A spokesperson said: “We will continue to support Sepa in the face of real-term cuts imposed on the Scottish budget by the UK government every year from now until 2020.
“Funding of nearly £37m for 2016-17 enables Sepa to deliver its new statutory purpose with a primary focus on protecting Scotland’s environment whilst also delivering benefits for communities and the economy.“Funding of nearly £37m for 2016-17 enables Sepa to deliver its new statutory purpose with a primary focus on protecting Scotland’s environment whilst also delivering benefits for communities and the economy.
“The budget statement also provides an extra £4m for local authorities worst hit by Storm Desmond and flooding earlier this year.”“The budget statement also provides an extra £4m for local authorities worst hit by Storm Desmond and flooding earlier this year.”
The Holyrood government also activated the Bellwin Scheme, which makes extra financial assistance available on request to help councils deal with the cost of flood damage.The Holyrood government also activated the Bellwin Scheme, which makes extra financial assistance available on request to help councils deal with the cost of flood damage.
Sepa currently has 23 flood warnings in place, mostly for Tayside, after the Met Office issued an amber alert, warning to “be prepared”, until 3pm on Monday for rainfall in north-east and central Scotland, where the ground is already saturated, putting it at risk of further flooding. Sepa has 23 flood warnings in place, mostly for Tayside, after the Met Office issued an amber alert, warning to “be prepared”, until 3pm on Monday for rainfall in north-east and central Scotland, where the ground is already saturated, putting it at risk of further flooding.
Sepa’s duty hydrology manager, Vincent Fitzsimons, said: “Unfortunately, we are expecting flooding in north-eastern areas of Scotland. That’s property flooding and damage to infrastructure and utilities.Sepa’s duty hydrology manager, Vincent Fitzsimons, said: “Unfortunately, we are expecting flooding in north-eastern areas of Scotland. That’s property flooding and damage to infrastructure and utilities.
“It’s important to note that the rain is less intense but more prolonged than during Storm Frank. This means that rivers will rise more slowly but then stay high for much longer - from Sunday through till Tuesday. The peak for most areas will be on Sunday night and Monday morning.“It’s important to note that the rain is less intense but more prolonged than during Storm Frank. This means that rivers will rise more slowly but then stay high for much longer - from Sunday through till Tuesday. The peak for most areas will be on Sunday night and Monday morning.