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.