Implementation of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009: report to the Scottish Parliament - 2019

5. Selecting and Implementing Sustainable Actions

5.1 Background

The main output of the flood risk management planning process is a set of sustainable actions being taken to reduce overall flood risk across Scotland.

The flood risk management strategies and local flood risk management plans incorporate a wide spectrum of actions, ranging from national policies to flood protection schemes to awareness raising activities. Options are identified and considered within a structured appraisal process. This ensures that options are considered in a consistent way, with alternative options properly considered and investment decisions justified. Sustainable solutions are likely to be a combination of actions.

Published in 2016, Scottish Government's Appraisal Guidance provides guidance for SEPA and the responsible authorities on the economic, social and environmental aspects of options appraisal for actions promoted under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009. It identifies methods for identifying and assessing positive and negative impacts and recommends a decision framework, based on the principles of sustainable flood risk management. The guidance is consistent with the HM Treasury Green Book and the Scottish Government guidance on appraisal and evaluation, part of the Scottish Public Finance Manual.

5.2 Appraisal and Prioritisation for Cycle Two

In 2019, SEPA continued to progress plans for the development of the 2021 FRM Strategies for the second FRM Cycle. The Scottish Government and local authorities are working with SEPA to develop an appraisal and prioritisation method that includes the opportunities, ambitions, and challenges presented by the second cycle.

5.3 Funding

Since 2008, the Scottish Government has made available funding of £42 million per year to enable Local Authorities to deliver appropriate flood protection measures.

In 2016 agreement was reached between Scottish Ministers and COSLA on a new strategic funding plan for flood protection schemes. The agreement guarantees that the level of flooding capital grant within the local government settlement is set at a minimum of £42m per annum, for ten years. This gives local authorities the certainty they need to deliver the actions set out in their Local Flood Risk Management Plans to help protect individuals, business and communities from the danger of flooding. The funding will help to deliver 40 new flood protection schemes and works within the current FRM cycle.

It has been agreed that from 2016/17 onwards, the flooding capital grant should be allocated on the basis of a hybrid model whereby 80% of the grant is allocated to large scale projects and distributed according to the prioritisation of flood schemes set out in the 14 Flood Risk Management Strategies published in December 2015. 20% is allocated to all 32 councils to contribute to the other elements contained in the Strategies.