Oban Flooding Update
Argyll and Bute Council · 11 September 2024
Back to Oban Lorn & The Isles Area Committee — 11 September 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL OBAN, LORN AND THE ISLES AREA COMMITTEE ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE 14 SEPTEMBER 2024 SERVICES OBAN FLOODING UPDATE 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 A recent report providing an update on Oban flooding issues was considered by the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee in June 2024. 1.2 The report considered short, medium and long term measures to help to mitigate flooding. 2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 It is recommended that the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Committee consider and note the report provided to the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee. 3.0 DETAIL 3.1 At the meeting of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 20 June 2024, the Committee gave consideration to a report proposing that all funding opportunities be explored including lobbying the Scottish Government to seek to secure funding to implement flood prevention works in Oban, as well as exploring any additional funding opportunities. The report detailed a number of short, medium and long term actions and works that had been identified to mitigate flooding. Decision The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee – 1. noted the content of the submitted report; and 2. endorsed the proposals by officers to lobby for funding and explore external funding opportunities and agreed that the Chair engages with the Scottish Government to try and secure additional resource to mitigate flooding issues in Oban.
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Update on works 3.2 Since the report to the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee in June, the following actions/works have commenced/been completed: • A new concrete plinth has been installed to house a new control box for the pumps at Lochavullin car park. A new control box is due to be installed. • A new safety railing has been installed around the plinth by a local fabricator. • We are currently working on researching and finding a specialist consultant to deal with invasive species around the burn, and are liaising with SEPA with the view to source a contractor to come and remove debris and foreign objects from the burn. Any trees and vegetation will also be removed from the burn in line with SEPA recommendations. 3.3 In terms of long term measures there is currently no identified funding. The cost of permanent flood prevention measures is likely to run into several tens of millions of pounds. 4.0 CONCLUSION 4.1 This report provides the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee with an update on flooding matters in Oban. 5.0 IMPLICATIONS 5.1 Policy – In line with existing Council policies and in line with the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009. 5.2 Financial – No funding identified for long term solution, this report proposes that lobbying is taken forward with a view to securing funding. 5.3 Legal – The Council has four key responsibilities under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009: • Prepare maps of bodies of water etc • Assess bodies of water • Prepare local flood risk management plans and carry out the Actions identified in the LFRMP • Carry out clearance and repair works. 5.4 HR – None known. 5.5 Fairer Scotland Duty: None known.
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5.5.1 Equalities - protected characteristics – An EqSEIA will be required as and when long term solutions can be progressed. 5.5.2 Socio-economic Duty – None known. 5.5.3 Islands – None known. 5.6 Climate Change – Due regard will be given to climate change with a view to minimising any climate change impact and these will be considered as and when they arise. 5.7 Risk – None known. 5.8 Customer Service – None known. 5.9 The Rights of the Child (UNCRC) – None known. Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services: Kirsty Flanagan Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity Services: Councillor John Armour August 2024 For further information contact: Jim Smith, Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services jim.smith@argyll-bute.gov.uk Elsa Simoes, Infrastructure Design Manager elsa.simoes@argyll-bute.gov.uk APPENDICES Appendix 1 – Oban Flooding Update – June EDI Committee