Flood Bill Stage 3 (Jim Hume)

Flood Bill Stage 3

May 14, 2009 3:26 PM
By Jim Hume MSP

Thank you Presiding Officer.

There can be no doubt that this Bill is a leap forward for Scotland in taking forward the seriousness that flooding and the danger of water brings to the Scottish People and furthers the work of the LibDem Minister Ross Finnie with his introduction of the Water Environment and Water Services Act 2003. Just at the weekend a couple in my Region in Kilwinning tragically died after trying to rescue their dogs, and I am sure that all of our thoughts go to their family and friends, that acts as a reminder of the devastating force of water - with the previous disaster in Loch Awe reminding us of the importance of joined up rescue services for inland waters.

In many South towns like Hawick, Selkirk and Dumfries residents and shopkeepers live in the fear of a flash flood and the devastation that can bring and has done so in the past. Victims of the fact that towns with industry needed to be built next to the flowing rivers of the Nith and Tweed's tributaries.

So there is a broad welcome to this bill and a recognition of the hard work out into it by the Clerks, of course the whole of the Environment Committee, - in particular recognition of Elaine Murray's stage 2 amendment 128 has encouraged the Govt to address the processes and avoid much controversy in flood plan implementation, - if land users are having to give up their livelihoods and land for the greater good of the community, then it is only right that they are compensated - also my colleague Liam McArthur's amendment which takes into account environmentally important areas, is a recognition of the rich biodiversity found in riparian areas and the need in deliberations to take that into account. Both of those dropped amendments have influenced this final bill positively. And Roseanna Cunningham's amendment 31 seems to cover Mr Macarthur's point, as SACs cover large parts of Scotland, in fact all of the River Tweed and its tributaries.

The Cabinet Secretary with the aide of his past and present junior ministers, of course have been fastidious in bringing this bill forward, but there are concerns - particularly from Local authorities who have difficulties in gaining expertise in hydrology, and an expertise it is, we can perhaps learn from other countries such as Austria who have had to attempt to tame the likes of the Great Danube, with hard and soft engineering. But there is no doubt that there is a skills gap in hydrology that we must see filled.

And funding, the age old enemy, is seen as lacking to back this bill up. Flood measures funding is not ring fenced, and may take second place to front line services such as education and social services. With budgets limited across the board I fear flood measures may be put off till a later date, particularly in the time of recession and also with the fact that finalised plans do not have to be finished for another 6 years. And of course the longer you wait with these projects the more expensive they tend to become and the increased risk to life and property if no flood plan is implemented.

Further concerns have been raised re SEPA's role as facilitator and regulator, and I am not convinced that there is no conflict clash there.

Presiding Officer, the Liberal Democrat party welcomes this bill, looks forward to its speedy implementation in flood risk areas, with proper expertise and engineering both soft and hard adequately funded. And I of course recognise the hard work by all mentioned up to this final stage of the Bill. Thank you.