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Flooding summit
10/09/2007
Leading experts on flood risk management today gathered for the country's first ever summit on flooding.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead led the discussion on future flood management policy in Scotland to ask: 'Is Scottish flood protection fit for purpose?'
Mr Lochhead said:
"We made a manifesto pledge to review the current flooding legislation, which is no longer fit for the requirements of the 21st century. Climate change has seen flooding become an increasingly regular threat to communities around Scotland and the rest of the UK, and the Scottish Government is committed to tackling this growing danger.
"The destruction flooding can cause is not only traumatic in terms of loss of property but potentially devastating for those households and businesses directly affected.
"Today's flooding summit is an opportunity to start a genuine debate on the way forward for flood risk management in Scotland. I am seeking the views of industry experts, local authorities and individual experiences to help inform future policy.
"Local authorities have worked hard to construct 72 flood prevention schemes since the original Flood Prevention Act in 1961, assisted by Scottish Government funding. Robust arrangements to deal with severe flooding emergencies are also in place, led by regional Strategic Coordinating Groups.
"We must now be more proactive about tackling flooding and consider whether there is a need for a national authority for flooding and if so, who should lead on coordinating this.
"As recent severe flooding events in England have shown us, we need to be more prepared than ever to minimise the risk and impact of flooding."
Minster for Environment Michael Russell and Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Stewart Stevenson also attended the summit alongside industry experts, academics and representatives from Scotland's local authorities, National Flood Forum, Scottish Water and the Association of British Insurers.