Local Flood Risk Management Plans - S37 Interim Update
Argyll and Bute Council · 18 December 2025
Back to Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee — 18 December 2025 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 ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES 18 December 2025 LOCAL FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT PLANS - S37 INTERIM UPDATE 1.0. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report provides an update on how the delivery of the Council's duties under the Local Flood Risk Management Plans are progressing. This is approximately midway through the 2022-2028 Cycle 2 Plans. In accordance with the requirements of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act (2009) (‘the Act’), The Highland Council (as Lead Local Authority (LLA)) published its second Local Flood Risk Management Plan (‘the Plan’) in December 2022, setting out an ambitious range of flood risk management objectives and actions to be completed in the first 6 year cycle (2022-2028). The Act also places a duty (under section 37) on the LLA to - review the Plan; and - publish a report on the conclusions of the review, including information on the progress that has been made towards implementing the measures. The interim report must be made available for public inspection. The format of the Section 37 report has been developed by a Scottish Advisory and Implementation Forum for Flooding Group, and agreed through the LLA Forum, such that all local authorities, SEPA, Scottish Water and other responsible authorities can input to a standard template and report in a similar format to Scottish Government. The report requires noting the contents of the Section 37 Report and progress made on the measures within the current Highland and Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan; and agree to make the Section 37 Report for the Highland and Argyll Local Plan District available to the public on the Council’s website; Whilst Argyll and Bute Council has identified and is working to implement schemes identified as part of this report, it must be acknowledged that available budget and resources play a major role in the ability to undertake these works.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES 18 December 2025 LOCAL FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT PLANS - S37 INTERIM UPDATE 2.0. INTRODUCTION 2.1 The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 (FRM Act) provides that the Scottish Ministers, SEPA and responsible authorities (Local Authorities & Scottish Water) must exercise their flood risk related functions with a view to working together to reduce overall flood risk in Scotland and places certain duties and responsibilities upon them. 2.2 SEPA are responsible for the development of Flood Risk Management Plans (“FRMP”s) and certain Lead Local Authorities are responsible for the development of LFRMP. Local Flood Risk Management Plans (“LFRMPs”) are developed on a six yearly cycle. Cycle One was from 2016-2022 and Cycle 2, currently in place, runs from 2022 until 2028. Argyll and Bute communities are in either: i. The Highland and Argyll Local Plan District Area (LPD01) where The Highland Council is the lead Local Authority. ii. The Clyde and Loch Lomond Local Plan District Area (LPD11) where Glasgow City Council is the lead Local Authority. Each Local Plan District has a FRMP and a LFRMP. FRMPs coordinate efforts to tackle flooding in Scotland. They set the national direction of future flood risk management, helping to target investment and coordinate actions across public bodies. The plans explain what causes flooding in high-risk areas as well as the impacts when flooding does occur. Within the plans objectives for tackling flooding in high-risk areas are set along with actions aimed at working towards those objectives. LFRMPs include the actions recommended in the Flood Risk Management Plan and add further details such as:
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• Funding arrangements for each action • Which organisation will be responsible for the delivery of the action. • The timescale for delivery. • Details of any coordination between authorities. 2.3 The two current LFRMPs (Cycle Two 2022-2028) covering Argyll and Bute are: i. Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan (Cycle 2) ii. Clyde and Loch Lomond Local Flood Risk Management Plan (Cycle 2) 2.4 The Lead Authority for Argyll and Bute’s two Districts are: i. The Highland Council for The Highland and Argyll Local Plan District Area, ii. Glasgow City Council for The Clyde and Loch Lomond Local Plan District Area. 2.5 Section 37 of the FRM Act states that each Lead Authority must prepare and publish an Interim Report which reviews the LFRMP which has been in place for 2-3 years, and describes conclusions of the review including information on the progress that has been made towards implementing the measures identified in the implementation part of the plan. 2.6 To assist the two Lead Authorities with discharging their duties under the FRM Act, Argyll and Bute Council are obliged to provide data on progress which has been made towards implementing the measures identified for Argyll and Bute Council in the implementation part of the two Local Flood Risk Management Plans currently in place. 2.7 Once the final draft Interim Report is available, it is anticipated that this will require EDI Committee approval. 3.0. RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 It is recommended that the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee endorse and approve the content of the report, including appendix A for publication. 4.0. DETAIL 4.1. Local Flood Risk Management Plan 2022-2028 4.1.1. Objectives to be undertaken during Cycle 2 (2022 – 2028) for each target area have been determined. 4.1.2. SEPA have prioritised the Potentially Vulnerable Areas (PVAs) based on their respective Benefit Cost Ratios (BCR). Table 4.1 has been extracted from the Stage 1 prioritisation of flood studies submitted for FRM cycle 2 report from SEPA:
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Table 4.1 Flood study title Scheme ID Study Location Flood source BCR BCR Class (* MB increase) Dunoon Surface Water Management Plan - Black Park 18 Dunoon Surface water 16.80 1 (VH) Dunoon Surface Water Management Plan - Sandhaven 53 Sandhaven Surface water 5.70 1 (VH) Lochgilphead Flood Study 15 Lochgilphead, Argyll and Bute River and coastal 2.31 2 (H) Oban Flood Study 13 Oban, Argyll and Bute River, coastal and surface water 2.20 2 (H) Kilcreggan Surface Water Management Plan - Tigh Dearg Road 56 Kilcreggan Surface water 1.70 2 (H) Helensburgh Coastal Flood Protection Study 17 Helensburgh Coastal 1.33 3 (M) Tarbert Flood Study 14 Tarbert, Argyll and Bute Coastal 1.17 3 (M) Clachan Flood Study 16 Clachan Village, Tarbert, Argyll River 1.11 3 (M)
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4.1.3. It can be noted that the two areas with the highest Benefit Cost Ratio are located within the Cowal / Dunoon Areas within Argyll and Bute. 4.1.4. A significant amount of work has been undertaken by the Council under the current Local Flood Risk Management Plans. 4.1.5. Works have been undertaken at a number of sites as part of Cycle 2 LFRMPs, covered in sections 4.2-4.10 and further expanded on in Appendices A & B which shall be submitted to the Lead Authorities subject to Committee approval. 4.1.6. Should additional funding be made available from Scottish Government or from other avenues, schemes are prioritised to allow progress to be made within the remainder of Cycle 2. Study/ Scheme Works 4.2. CAMPBELTOWN PVA (02/01/27) Works have been delivered as part a £16 million pound scheme to improve the surface water drainage in Campbeltown. The works were undertaken over an 18 month period. These works were 80% funded by the Scottish Government and 20% funded by Argyll and Bute Council. 4.3. OBAN PVA (02/01/22) Local Authority responsibilities: 4.3.1. All Local Authority duties for which the Council are responsible under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 have been carried out: 4.3.1.1. Watercourse Inspection of Black Lynn Burn and its tributaries carried out, 4.3.1.2. No clearance and repair works have been identified which would substantially reduce the risk of flooding of land due to the condition of the Black Lynn or its tributaries. Therefore, no clearance or repair works can/shall be progressed under Section 18/59 of the Act. Additional works carried out to improve Oban’s resilience to flooding: 4.3.2. To improve the resilience of the Lochavullin Car Park pump system, works are now completed for the relocation of the pumps electrical control box. 4.3.3. Hydrological modelling has been completed by in-house engineers for the Black Lynn Burn. The study indicates that dredging of the Black Lynn Burn would not reduce the risk of flooding of land and that it would risk the downstream culverts being overwhelmed. Dredging of the Black Lynn Burn shall therefore not be progressed. This is not a formal written report but a computer model to inform Flood Risk Management in the Oban PVA. 4.3.4. Invasive non-native species survey has been undertaken and a report is available. This report indicates that no Invasive non-native species removal work will follow as it would not reduce the risk of flooding. However, whilst Japanese Knotweed is not being dealt with under the flooding remit, it will be
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addressed by the Council on areas along Black Lynn Burn where the Council are Riparian Owner – a different team within the Council are taking this forward. As this has been confirmed as not being a Flooding matter, it will therefore not be reported under Flood Risk Management going forwards. Permanent Solution: 4.3.5 There is no identified funding for a major works solution at Oban. 4.3.6 Any permanent Flood Protection Scheme / major works solution would be a long- term project and likely to run into tens of millions of pounds requiring attenuation/water storage and general climate change adaptation measures aimed at mitigating or minimising disruption from severe weather events. 4.3.7 SEPA’s potential revision of PVAs may affect funding prioritisation and availability, however the outcome of their recent public consultation on this matter for Oban is not yet known. 4.3.8 All opportunities for securing any available funding to accelerate flood protection works at Oban are being considered. This includes making representations to Scottish Government seeking to make available funding to accelerate flood protection works at Oban – including a proposal to progress a scheme separately in smaller elements/stages, which must include a design revision. However Scottish Government still to confirm whether this proposal would risk affecting their 80% funding. 4.4 ISLE OF BUTE PVA (02/11/23) Rothesay Flood Study and Flood Protection Scheme (FPS) Performance Review This study has been completed. This involved ground multiple on-site investigations to be carried out such as Ground Investigations of both the areas adjacent to the shore and the seabed. CCTV surveys were carried out to map and gather data on the existing drainage network. Recommendations have been provided 4.5 HELENSBURGH TO LOCH LONG PVA (02/11/01) Tigh Dearg Road, Kilcreggan Works have been carried out to improve the surface water drainage system at Tigh Dearg Road in Kilcreggan. This involved installing a 600mm surface water drainage pipe from Argyll Road to the shore and simultaneously installing a new 150mm sewer for which Scottish Water will adopt. The completion certificate is expected shorty, after which a 52 week defect period will apply. 4.6 DUNOON PVA (02/11/22) Dunoon Surface Water Management Plans The schemes will be reviewed and works packages will be issued for works to proceed should budgets allow. The schemes will be split into the respective areas – Black Park and Sandhaven.
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4.7 Antrim View, Islay Cooperation/ agreement is being sought from a landowner to reduce flood risk to local properties, adopted road and their own business property. The Council have undertaken Phase one of the works to increase culvert capacity in anticipation of further works being completed by the landowner. The Council’s Legal department is determining appropriate responsibilities. Flood Monitoring Network A Flood Monitoring Network is in place which monitors and records water levels and rainfall at key locations across Argyll and Bute. Email and SMS warnings are provided to our operations teams to manage appropriate responses during flood events or blockages. The existing multiyear contract to provide maintenance, telemetry and warning services is ending and a new contract is being tendered. Multiyear contract allowed for improved financial forecasting as annual maintenance costs are known, however breakdown/ failure of equipment has to be managed appropriately. Members should note that as part of the routine work carried out by Roads and Infrastructure Services our teams carry out inspections and clearance of trash screens, guard and culvert entrances at known areas of potential concern. Inspections and clearance are generally carried out prior to a known weather event, this work is designed to maximise the capacity and capability of various waterways and reduce flood risk. 4.8 WDM – Web Based Flood Risk Management System (WebFRMS) A cloud-based Flood Risk Management System, WDM WebFRMS, has been recently implemented. WDM also provide the asset management system for the road network, bridge, retaining wall and coastal protection asset stock, street lighting and other associated assets. WebFRMS allows remote access, ensures data consistency, streamlines workflows, enhances collaboration and enhances and assists in the recording and management of: 4.8.1 Flood Incident Recording, 4.8.2 Watercourse Inspections, 4.8.3 Waterbody Assessments, 4.8.4 Schedule of Clearance and Repair Works, 4.8.5 Flood Protection Schemes Asset Register, 4.8.6 Providing resilience for flood and weather events. 4.9 Watercourse Inspections / Waterbody Assessments The deployment of WebFRMS allows for a clearer approach to prioritising, implementing and recording watercourse inspections as necessary under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 to inform Waterbody Assessments. WebFRMS has allowed for detailed inspection of a number of watercourses – allowing for river features and observation to be plotted and mapped on the web- based system. The full implementation of this system will allow for inspections to
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be carried out more accurately, more reliably, and on clear frequency; with frequencies being based on the appropriate risk assessment of each individual waterbody. a. Coastal Change Adaptation Plans/ Shoreline Management Plans Coastal Change Adaptation Plans/ Shoreline Management Plans 4.10 The Scottish Government has developed a guidance to support local authorities in preparation of Coastal Change Adaptation Plans. Argyll and Bute Council has secured funding from Scottish Government to conduct case studies for six locations (Campbeltown, Helensburgh, Garelochhead, Cardross, Rothesay and Kilchattan Bay) based on actions identified for development of Shoreline Management Plans and Coastal Adaptive Plans by the Local Flood Risk Management Plan Cycle 2. The first stage of the case studies, which involved an initial assessment of all six areas, focused on understanding the risk of coastal erosion and flooding, evaluating the associated economic impacts and identifying opportunities for adaptation initiatives and actions. This stage has been completed. The Second stage of the case study focuses on a site-specific study and is currently at a tendering stage. Additional funding has been secured by Argyll and Bute Council via 3 applications to support further Coastal Change Adaptation Plan (CCAP) case studies for three additional areas: Inverlussa in Isle of Jura, the Isle of Tiree and Laggan Bay in the Isle of Islay following erosion reports and community consultation. These new case studies are currently at a tendering stage. 5.0. CONCLUSION 5.1. This report provides an overview of the progress made in delivering the measures set out in the Local Flood Risk Management Plans during Cycle 2 (2022–2028) and forms the basis of Argyll and Bute Council’s contribution to the statutory Section 37 Interim Report required under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009. 5.2. The Section 37 Interim Report provides transparency on progress to date and ensures that the public, stakeholders and partner agencies are kept informed of ongoing flood risk management activities within Argyll and Bute. 5.3. It is recognised that delivery of remaining Cycle 2 actions continues to depend on the availability of future funding and resources. The Council will continue to seek additional external funding and prioritise work to ensure further progress can be made throughout the remainder of the cycle.
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6.0. IMPLICATIONS 6.1. Policy – Works are in accordance with the Local Flood Risk Management Plan 2022 – 2028 as endorsed by Council and the Council’s Flood Risk Management Policy. Local Authorities have powers under Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 “to manage flood risk and to take forward a flood protection scheme.” 6.2. Financial – The current capital and revenue budget allocation is supporting the ongoing projects activities. 6.3. Legal – Support is requested as required, primarily in relation to riparian ownership responsibilities. 6.4. HR – None. 6.5. Customer Service – None Known. 6.6. Risk – SEPA currently have issues with recent cyberattack and there is some risk in terms of times frames. 6.7. Climate Change – Works are to discharge council’s duties under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 and to build resilience against climate change. 6.8. Fairer Scotland Duty – None. 6.9. Equalities - protected characteristics – None. 6.10. Consumer Duty – None Known. 6.11. Island Communities – Isle of Bute PVA (4.4.) and Antrim View, Islay (4.7.) 6.12. Children’s Rights and Wellbeing – None Known. Kirsty Flanagan, Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Councillor John Armour, Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity Services November 2025 For further information contact: Andy Summers, Head of Roads and Infrastructure Service Andy.Summers@argyll-bute.gov.uk Elsa Simoes, Infrastructure Design Manager Elsa.simoes@argyll-bute.gov.uk Jamie Salmon, Senior Engineer Jamie.salmon@argyll-bute.gov.uk
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Appendix A – Highland and Argyll Bute Council S37 Interim Report.
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1 Classification: OFFICIAL HIGHLAND & ARGYLL Local Flood Risk Management Plan Interim Report Publish by The Highland Council December 2025
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Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan 2022-2028: Interim Report 2 Publication date: December 2025 Contents 1 Background .............................................................................................................. 3 2 How current is the Plan .............................................................................................. 4 3 Significant issues ...................................................................................................... 4 4 Other actions ............................................................................................................ 5 5 Next steps ................................................................................................................. 5 6 Conclusions .............................................................................................................. 5 7 Assessment of progress ............................................................................................. 7
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Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan 2022-2028: Interim Report 3 1 Background The Interim Report is a legal requirement under Section 37of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 (the Act), which must be published between July 2024 and December 2025. This report includes a review of the Local Flood Risk Management Plan (the Plan), published in December 2022, and information on the progress that has been made towards implementing the actions identified in the Plan. Further details on flood risk management responsibilities in Scotland and the legal requirement for the publication of this Interim Report can be found in Appendix 1. A copy of the Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan can be found at H&A LPD Local FRM Plan or A hard copy or the plan can be obtained from Argyll & Bute Council or The Highland Council.
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Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan 2022-2028: Interim Report 4 2 How current is the Plan The Plan was published in December 2022 as a supplement to the Flood Risk Management Plan (SEPA Plan) issued by SEPA in December 2022. It outlines how the actions identified in the SEPA Plan will be carried out during the period from 2022 to 2028. Both the SEPA Plan and the Plan are informed by the National Flood Risk Assessment and the designation of Potentially Vulnerable Areas at that time. The Plan continues to be considered appropriate based on the current understanding of flood risk within the Highland & Argyll Local Plan District. 3 Significant issues Based on a progress review of the Plan for Highland & Argyll, the following key themes and issues have been identified that have or may have an impact on the delivery of actions to manage flood risk. Arrangements planned to deliver the remaining actions are described below. Where these issues have had an impact on the delivery of specific actions or actions across an LPD, this is detailed in the ‘Assessment of the progress of actions’. Funding of New Flood Alleviation Schemes The distribution of capital funding through the local authority general capital grant, including for flood protection schemes, is jointly agreed by Scottish Ministers and COSLA Leaders. The implementation of the 2022 Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) have been significantly affected by capital funding availability through the general capital grant for new flood protection schemes. There is a commitment to fund flood protection schemes from the 2015 FRMPs first and many of these schemes have experienced cost escalations and extended delivery timelines. As a result, there have been no capital allocations through the general capital grant for the development and delivery of new flood protection schemes. This has delayed early-stage procurement and design activity for new flood protection schemes by other Responsible Authorities and disrupted the intended sequencing of flood risk interventions across the country. There is therefore a backlog of flood protection schemes that remain in development or have been paused pending the availability of capital funding. through the
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Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan 2022-2028: Interim Report 5 general capital grant. The cumulative effect of these delays is a shortfall in the delivery of the flood protection schemes in the 2022 FRMPs 4 Other actions Highland Council The Council has completed a Regional Coastal Change Adaptation Plan, covering coastal flood and erosion risk areas within the Highlands. This plan is a high-level review, identifying priority sections of coastline for more detailed Local Coastal Change Adaptation Plans in the future, as funding allows. SEPA Over the past four years, SEPA has made significant improvements in the flood forecasting and warning service through its Flood Warning Development Framework 2022–2028. Key achievements include: • Scottish Flood Forecast: A new 3-day public forecast developed with the Met Office, providing earlier and clearer flood risk information. • MyFloodline: A redesigned registration platform that improves public access to flood warnings. • AI Integration: SEPA has also embraced digital transformation and begun exploring the use of Artificial Intelligence to enhance forecasting capabilities. 5 Next steps A Final Report on the Plan will be published between July 2027 and June 2028. This will include an updated assessment of the progress made towards implementing the current actions, a summary of the current measures which were not implemented, with reasons for their non-implementation; and a description of any other measures implemented since the Plan was finalised which the lead authority considers have contributed to the achievement of the flood risk objectives. 6 Conclusions The majority, approximately 73%, of the actions identified in the Plan are expected to be delivered within the timescales set when the plan was published in December 2022. Approximately 10% of the actions identified are delayed but expected to be delivered before
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Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan 2022-2028: Interim Report 6 the end of cycle 2 in 2028. Approximately 17% of the actions are not expected to be delivered in the first cycle and will now be considered for future cycles. In addition to funding availability for Flood Alleviation schemes, delays in implementing actions are generally due to factors that can’t be anticipated over a six-year period, such as funding adjustments and modifications to the scope of work after plans are published. Efforts will continue to be made to complete the outstanding actions as efficiently as possible.
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Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan 2022-2028: Interim Report 7 7 Assessment of progress This section sets out an assessment of the progress towards implementing the actions set out in the Plan. There are actions that apply across all of the Highland & Argyll LPD and actions that are specific to each of the 30 Potentially Vulnerable Areas (as defined under Section 13 of the Act), which are shown below in Figure 1. Figure 1: The Highland & Argyll LPD with Potentially Vulnerable Areas identified Details of Potentially Vulnerable Areas taken from Highland & Argyll Flood Risk Management Plan, SEPA (December 2022) The actions that apply to individual PVAs are shown in Figure 2. The summary progress is shown using the traffic light system, where each item is marked as Red, Amber or Green (RAG) and where:
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Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan 2022-2028: Interim Report 8 • GREEN – The action has been completed successfully or is progressing as planned. No immediate attention is required. • AMBER – The action is behind schedule or progressing slowly, but it is not critical. Some attention or action is required to get it back on track. • RED – The action is significantly behind schedule or has not started at all.
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Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan 2022-2028: INTERIM REPORT 9 RAG Community engagement Community flood alert Community resilience group Flood defence maintenance Flood risk management review Flood scheme or works implementation Flood scheme or works design Flood study Flood study (existing flood defences) Flood warning maintenance Flood warning scoping Property flood resilience scheme Sewer flood risk assessment Shoreline management plan (coastal adaptive plan) Site protection plan Strategic mapping improvements Surface water management plan Alness GREEN Ardersier GREEN GREEN Aultbea GREEN GREEN Avoch GREEN GREEN GREEN Balintore AMBER GREEN GREEN Ballachulish GREEN GREEN Beauly GREEN Blairninich RED RED Campbeltown GREEN GREEN AMBER GREEN GREEN Clachan GREEN GREEN RED RED Conon Bridge GREEN GREEN GREEN Corpach and Caol GREEN GREEN GREEN GREEN GREEN Dingwall GREEN RED RED GREEN GREEN GREEN GREEN Dornoch GREEN GREEN Drumnadrochit GREEN GREEN RED GREEN Fort Augustus GREEN GREEN Fort William GREEN GREEN GREEN GREEN Gairloch GREEN Garve GREEN AMBER Glencoe GREEN RED Golspie RED RED GREEN GREEN Halkirk GREEN Inver AMBER GREEN GREEN Inveraray GREEN GREEN Invergordon GREEN Inverness GREEN RED RED AMBER GREEN,AMBER GREEN GREEN GREEN Kerrysdale GREEN Kinlochewe GREEN Lochgilphead GREEN GREEN RED GREEN Lochinver AMBER Maryburgh RED GREEN Muir of Ord GREEN Oban GREEN RED RED GREEN AMBER
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Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan 2022-2028: Interim Report 10 Portmahomack AMBER GREEN GREEN Rockfield AMBER GREEN GREEN Smithton and Culloden GREEN GREEN GREEN Strathpeffer GREEN Tarbert GREEN RED RED GREEN AMBER AMBER Taynuilt and Brochroy GREEN GREEN GREEN Thurso RED RED GREEN Wick GREEN GREEN Figure 2: Summary of progress of actions to manage flood risk in the Potentially Vulnerable Areas of the Highland & Argyll LPD
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Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan 2022-2028: INTERIM REPORT 11 Progress with LPD-wide Actions This section sets out an assessment of the progress towards implementing actions that apply across all the Highland & Argyll LPD over the six-year Plan, which is presented in Figure 3. Action Delivery Lead RAG status - Interim Report Update Awareness raising ABC THC SEPA GREEN Argyll and Bute Council have promoted flood advice for property owners and landowners on our website https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/transport-and- streets/flood-advice. In addition, we are now working with our Climate Change Officer and ABCAN to support communities in carrying out area-based risk assessments and, where possible, implementing local mitigation measures. This work highlights the importance of embedding community resilience, particularly in areas where flood risk has been identified. The Highland Council are committed to promoting property flood resilience and have worked in partnership with SEPA, Scottish Water, and the Scottish Flood Forum to do so. The Highland Council continue to engage with Community Resilience Groups, helping them to identify means to reduce flood risk themselves and become better prepared to deal with future flooding. SEPA has delivered a range of awareness-raising activities through targeted campaigns and collaborative partnerships. A key achievement has been the development of a suite of online flood education resources for pupils in P5–P7, designed to help young people build their understanding of flood risk and resilience. We have also refreshed how we communicate our flood warning and information tools to the public, guided by a user-led approach. Our emphasis on accessibility ensures that communities are better equipped to understand their flood risk and take action to build resilience. In addition, SEPA hosted its first-ever national online community event. The event attracted over 65 participants from communities across Scotland, with 96% of attendees reporting that they felt better informed about how their community could prepare for flooding." Data to support climate resilience ABC THC SEPA GREEN SEPA is undertaking extensive work to upgrade the Hydrometric Network both in terms of infrastructure and technology, including dramatically increasing the number of sites and utility of near live data across numerous users. A strategic vision and strategy is being developed for Hydrology Monitoring in Scotland to ensure that our service meets future user needs in an effective and efficient way in a changing climate.
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Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan 2022-2028: Interim Report 12 Emergency plans ABC THC GREEN Argyll and Bute benefits from a highly effective and well- established Local Resilience Partnership, which works collaboratively to ensure strong preparedness and coordinated responses to disruptive challenges. Its capabilities are regularly tested and proven in real situations. We take reassurance in knowing that, regardless of the cause of any incident, the consequences are effectively managed through this partnership and the tactical response groups within the Council and HSCP. The Highland Council continues to provide support as a Category 1 responder, updating emergency plans. Flood forecasting SEPA GREEN SEPA delivers the Scottish Flood Forecasting Service in partnership with and the Met Office, continues to deliver daily outlooks of flood risk and potential impacts for the nation through its 3 day Scottish Flood Forecast for the public and 5-day Flood Guidance Statement for professional partners. Flood Alerts and Warnings are issued by SEPA's flood duty officers when flooding is possible and/or expected. Flood warning development framework SEPA GREEN SEPA published the Flood Warning development Framework for 2022-2028 including a programme of works to maintain and improve SEPA's forecasting and warning services. SEPA has developed a road map for improving surface water forecasting and SEPA now have a surface water forecasting tool that has been developed called PREDICTOR. Further recommendations exist to develop these surface water capabilities. SEPA's partnership with the Met Office continues with the publication of daily 3 day forecasts for the public and 5- day forecasts for professional partners. Future flood risk management planning SEPA AMBER Argyll and Bute Council and The Highland Council reaffirm their commitment to supporting SEPA in the development of Flood Risk Management Plans. The Councils will work closely with communities through consultation on the preparation of Local Flood Risk Management Plans during 2026 and 2027. SEPA is currently preparing the Flood Risk Management Plans for the upcoming cycle (2027–2033) in collaboration with key stakeholders. This process includes a formal consultation phase scheduled for 2026. The new plans will introduce key elements of the Scottish Flood Resilience Strategy and align with the objectives of other national frameworks, such as the Scottish National Adaptation Plan. Following the publication of the Scottish Flood Resilience Strategy in 2025, SEPA is embedding its principles and ambitions into a refreshed vision and strategic direction for its flooding services." Guidance development SEPA AMBER As part of delivering the Scottish Flood Resilience Strategy, SEPA is contributing to the development of a flood advisory service. This includes updating and creating tailored guidance to support flood risk management projects. In collaboration with Scottish
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Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan 2022-2028: Interim Report 13 Forestry and other UK forestry agencies, Forest Research published the UK Forestry Standard Practice Guide in October 2022. This guide offers practical advice to landowners, land managers, and public authorities on how to design and manage forests and woodlands to help reduce flood risk. Hazard mapping updates SEPA GREEN SEPA has a phased, multiyear programme of hazard map updates. Updates to our coastal map for Outer Hebrides, Orkney and North East Scotland were published in November 2023 and South East Scotland is due to be published in 2026. A review of coastal modelling and mapping in South West Scotland will follow. In February 2025 SEPA published a new national flood hazard map for surface water and small watercourses, entirely replacing the previous surface water map release. SEPA is updating its approach to fluvial hazard map updates including user needs analysis, technological and methodological improvements in order to meet the next statutory hazard map update deadline of December 2031. Land use planning ABC THC SEPA GREEN Argyll and Bute Council and The Highland Council Flood Risk Management Teams continue to assess planning applications to ensure compliance with National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and to confirm that new developments do not increase flood risk to communities or existing infrastructure. The Teams also work closely with the relevant Local Development Plan teams to ensure that Strategic Flood Risk Assessments address known risks within their respective council areas. Following the publication of the Scottish Government’s National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) in February 2023, SEPA has undertaken a programme of updates to its land use planning guidance on flood risk. This work, carried out in consultation with key stakeholders, has focused on ensuring alignment with Policy 22 in particular. The programme is now largely complete, and planning authorities are progressing with the implementation of NPF4 through the spatial elements of their upcoming local development plans. Maintenance ABC THC GREEN Argyll and Bute Council are developing the WDM WebFRMS asset management system for recording the assessment and clearing of relevant bodies of water. The system will allow the publication of a schedule of clearance and repair works online. The WebFRMS system is being effectively built from the ground up of the basic operating framework, rather than implementing any existing system and is therefore expected to be significantly more aligned with Council requirements but take longer to finalise. Development of the system is progressing well during 2025, and it is expected that a full implementation will be in place by early 2026. The Highland Council continue to publish their clearance and repair schedules. These works are based on inspections carried out under the Flood Risk Management
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Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan 2022-2028: Interim Report 14 (Scotland) Act 2009 and are prioritised according to the risk of flooding that identified issues may present. Natural flood management mapping SEPA GREEN SEPA is developing an improved evidence base for updating natural flood management mapping using the Potentially Vulnerable Areas published in December 2024 and the revised National Flood Risk Assessment data which will be available in March 2026. This will enable a focussed catchment approach to be developed, building on the existing national approach and providing a higher resolution of opportunity mapping. National flood risk assessment SEPA GREEN SEPA is applying updated evidence and methodologies to produce the revised National Flood Risk Assessment, scheduled for publication in December 2025. The underlying data informed the identification of Potentially Vulnerable Areas for the next flood risk management cycle, which were published in December 2024. This evidence base will also shape the objectives and actions set out in the 2027–2033 flood risk management plans, due for release in December 2027. National surface water mapping SEPA GREEN In February 2025 SEPA published a new national flood hazard map for surface water and small watercourses, entirely replacing the previous surface water map release. This new release included publication for the first time of a future flood map, to help users understand the potential impacts of climate change. To accompany the publication a number of improvements were also made to the "Check an area's long term flood risk viewer". Reservoirs SEPA GREEN SEPA continues to develop its assessment of flood risk from dam failure and use these assessments to direct a proportionate regulatory approach to ensure reservoir safety. We are exploring the use of the UK emergency alerts service for issuing warnings in the event of a reservoir emergency. Scottish Flood Defence Asset Database SEPA AMBER Argyll and Bute Council will store asset information on all flood protection and alleviation works in the WebFRMS asset register. The development of this new The WebFRMS system is being effectively built from the ground up of the basic operating framework, rather than implementing any existing system and is therefore expected to be significantly more aligned with Council requirements but take longer to finalise. Development of the system is progressing well during 2025, and it is expected that a full implementation will be in place by early 2026. SEPA’s ongoing Flood Asset Project is strengthening the quality of evidence and data management on behalf of all flooding partners. This work will deliver an improved national database to replace the outdated original, which is no longer available, enabling more informed decisions on asset location, maintenance, flood warnings, risk management, and land use planning.
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Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan 2022-2028: Interim Report 15 Self help ABC THC GREEN Argyll and Bute Council and The Highland Council continue to sign post communities and individuals to sources of help with respect to improving property resilience through its Flood Advice webpage, answering public enquiries regarding flood issues and through the work of the Scottish Flood Forum. Figure 3: Progress with LPD-wide Actions for the Highland & Argyll LPD
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Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan 2022-2028: INTERIM REPORT 16 Progress with PVA-specific Actions This section sets out an assessment of the progress towards implementing actions that are specific to each of the 14 PVAs as shown in Figure 2. Assessments of the progress of Red and Amber actions within each PVA are presented. Target Area Clachan 353 Action Type Flood scheme or works design 35301 Action Delivery Lead ABC RAG Status RED Update Scope, timescales and funding arrangements for Cycle 2 and 3 externally capital funded schemes are not yet confirmed. Previous (Cycle 1) capital funding was 80% Scottish Government with Council being responsible for 20% (plus any additional spend over budget estimate). Scheme was submitted to SEPA for prioritisation in 2019. Benefit Cost Ratio classification is 3 = Medium. Unlikely to progress in Cycle 2 (2022-2028) due to capital funding not being secured. Target Area Clachan 353 Action Type Flood scheme or works implementation 35302 Action Delivery Lead ABC RAG Status RED Update Scope, timescales and funding arrangements for Cycle 2 and 3 externally capital funded schemes are not yet confirmed. Previous (Cycle 1) capital funding was 80% Scottish Government with Council being responsible for 20% (plus any additional spend over budget estimate). Scheme was submitted to SEPA for prioritisation in 2019. Benefit Cost Ratio classification is 3 = Medium. Unlikely to progress in Cycle 2 (2022-2028) due to capital funding not being secured. Target Area Tarbert 361 Action Type Flood scheme or works design 36101 Action Delivery Lead ABC RAG Status RED Update Scope, timescales and funding arrangements for Cycle 2 and 3 externally capital funded schemes are not yet confirmed. Previous (Cycle 1) capital funding was 80% Scottish Government with Council being responsible for 20% (plus any additional spend over budget estimate). Scheme was submitted to SEPA for prioritisation in 2019. Benefit Cost Ratio classification is 3 = Medium. Unlikely to progress in Cycle 2 (2022-2028) due to capital funding not being secured. Target Area Tarbert 361 Action Type Flood scheme or works implementation 36102 Action Delivery Lead ABC RAG Status RED Update Scope, timescales and funding arrangements for Cycle 2 and 3 externally capital funded schemes are not yet confirmed. Previous (Cycle 1) capital funding was 80% Scottish Government with Council being responsible for 20% (plus any additional spend over budget estimate).
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Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan 2022-2028: Interim Report 17 Scheme was submitted to SEPA for prioritisation in 2019. Benefit Cost Ratio classification is 3 = Medium. Unlikely to progress in Cycle 2 (2022-2028) due to capital funding not being secured. Target Area Tarbert 361 Action Type Surface water management plan 36105 Action Delivery Lead ABC RAG Status AMBER Update Progress dependent on confirmation of existing committed expenditure schemes against currently available funding . Confirmation of this is anticipated by December 2025. Target Area Lochgilphead 365 Action Type Property flood resilience scheme 36501 Action Delivery Lead ABC RAG Status RED Update Scope, timescales and funding arrangements for Cycle 2 and 3 externally capital funded schemes are not yet confirmed. Previous (Cycle 1) capital funding was 80% Scottish Government with Council being responsible for 20% (plus any additional spend over budget estimate). Scheme was submitted to SEPA for prioritisation in 2019. Benefit Cost Ratio classification is 2 = High. Unlikely to progress in Cycle 2 (2022-2028) due to capital funding not being secured. Target Area Oban 366 Action Type Flood scheme or works design 36601 Action Delivery Lead ABC RAG Status RED Update Scope, timescales and funding arrangements for Cycle 2 and 3 externally capital funded schemes are not yet confirmed. Previous (Cycle 1) capital funding was 80% Scottish Government with Council being responsible for 20% (plus any additional spend over budget estimate). Scheme was submitted to SEPA for prioritisation in 2019. Benefit Cost Ratio classification is 2 = High. Unlikely to progress in Cycle 2 (2022-2028) due to capital funding not being secured. Target Area Oban 366 Action Type Flood scheme or works implementation 36602 Action Delivery Lead ABC RAG Status RED Update Scope, timescales and funding arrangements for Cycle 2 and 3 externally capital funded schemes are not yet confirmed. Previous (Cycle 1) capital funding was 80% Scottish Government with Council being responsible for 20% (plus any additional spend over budget estimate). Scheme was submitted to SEPA for prioritisation in 2019. Benefit Cost Ratio classification is 2 = High. Unlikely to progress in Cycle 2 (2022-2028) due to capital funding not being secured. Target Area Oban 366 Action Type Surface water management plan 36604
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Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan 2022-2028: Interim Report 18 Action Delivery Lead ABC RAG Status AMBER Update Maintenance works carried out at Lochavullin (Target Area). Larger projects in the SWMP are dependent on securing additional capital funding. Target Area Golspie 333 Action Type Flood scheme or works design 33301 Action Delivery Lead THC RAG Status RED Update This action was subject to funding agreements being in place for Cycle 2 Flood Schemes. At present, there is no indication of when funding will be made available. Therefore, it is unlikely that this action will be completed within the timeframe originally highlighted. Target Area Golspie 333 Action Type Flood scheme or works implementation 33302 Action Delivery Lead THC RAG Status RED Update This action was subject to funding agreements being in place for Cycle 2 Flood Schemes. At present, there is no indication of when funding will be made available. Therefore, it is unlikely that this action will be completed within the timeframe originally highlighted. Target Area Golspie 333 Action Type Flood scheme or works implementation 33303 Action Delivery Lead Transport Scotland RAG Status Update No update available Target Area Blairninich 335 Action Type Flood scheme or works design 33501 Action Delivery Lead THC RAG Status RED Update This action was subject to funding agreements being in place for Cycle 2 Flood Schemes. At present, there is no indication of when funding will be made available. Therefore, it is unlikely that this action will be completed within the timeframe originally highlighted. Target Area Blairninich 335 Action Type Flood scheme or works implementation 33502 Action Delivery Lead THC RAG Status RED Update This action was subject to funding agreements being in place for Cycle 2 Flood Schemes. At present, there is no indication of when funding will be made available. Therefore, it is unlikely that this action will be completed within the timeframe originally highlighted. Target Area Dingwall 336 Action Type Flood scheme or works design 33602
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Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan 2022-2028: Interim Report 19 Action Delivery Lead THC RAG Status RED Update This action was subject to funding agreements being in place for Cycle 2 Flood Schemes. At present, there is no indication of when funding will be made available. Therefore, it is unlikely that this action will be completed within the timeframe originally highlighted. Target Area Dingwall 336 Action Type Flood scheme or works implementation 33603 Action Delivery Lead THC RAG Status RED Update This action was subject to funding agreements being in place for Cycle 2 Flood Schemes. At present, there is no indication of when funding will be made available. Therefore, it is unlikely that this action will be completed within the timeframe originally highlighted. Target Area Portmahomack 338 Action Type Flood study 33802 Action Delivery Lead THC RAG Status AMBER Update Identified to commence in 2026. A Highland wide Regional Coastal Change Adaptation Plan has been developed. This plan has identified that Portmahomack is not a priority area for a Local CCAP. No further study planned at this stage. Target Area Inver 339 Action Type Flood study 33902 Action Delivery Lead THC RAG Status AMBER Update Identified to commence in 2026. A Highland wide Regional Coastal Change Adaptation Plan has been developed. This plan has identified Inver for a Local CCAP, subject to funding. Target Area Garve 341 Action Type Site protection plan 34101 Action Delivery Lead THC RAG Status AMBER Update No works undertaken to date. Target Area Drumnadrochit 343 Action Type Flood study 34301 Action Delivery Lead THC RAG Status RED Update No works undertaken to date. Not identified in the Council capital programme Target Area Campbeltown 346 Action Type Sewer flood risk assessment 34601
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Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan 2022-2028: Interim Report 20 Action Delivery Lead Scottish Water RAG Status AMBER Update This action is on course to deliver within Cycle 2, however the programme of studies has been delayed due to data sharing challenges. This is due to a requirement to ensure consistency of assessment by using the same underlying datasets as SEPA's updated pluvial mapping project. Target Area Glencoe 348 Action Type Flood study 34802 Action Delivery Lead THC RAG Status RED Update No works undertaken to date. Not identified in the Council capital programme Target Area Clachan 353 Action Type Community resilience group 35304 Action Delivery Lead Community resilience group RAG Status Update No update available. Target Area Lochinver 351 Action Type Site protection plan 35101 Action Delivery Lead THC RAG Status AMBER Update No works undertaken to date. Target Area Tarbert 361 Action Type Sewer flood risk assessment 36104 Action Delivery Lead Scottish Water RAG Status AMBER Update This action is on course to deliver within Cycle 2, however the programme of studies has been delayed due to data sharing challenges. This is due to a requirement to ensure consistency of assessment by using the same underlying datasets as SEPA's updated pluvial mapping project. Target Area Maryburgh 363 Action Type Flood study 36301 Action Delivery Lead THC RAG Status RED Update No works undertaken to date. Not identified in the Council capital programme Target Area Thurso 367 Action Type Flood scheme or works design 36701 Action Delivery Lead THC RAG Status RED Update Whilst prioritisation of schemes nationally has not concluded, the River Thurso scheme has not progressed to later rounds due to the low benefit
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Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan 2022-2028: Interim Report 21 cost ratio. Without government grant funding, the scheme will not be progressed. Target Area Thurso 367 Action Type Flood scheme or works implementation 36702 Action Delivery Lead THC RAG Status RED Update Whilst prioritisation of schemes nationally has not concluded, the River Thurso scheme has not progressed to later rounds due to the low benefit cost ratio. Without government grant funding, the scheme will not be progressed. Target Area Inverness 387 Action Type Flood scheme or works design 38702 Action Delivery Lead THC RAG Status RED Update This action was subject to funding agreements being in place for Cycle 2 Flood Schemes. At present, there is no indication of when funding will be made available. Therefore, it is unlikely that this action will be completed within the timeframe originally highlighted. Target Area Inverness 387 Action Type Flood scheme or works implementation 38703 Action Delivery Lead THC RAG Status RED Update This action was subject to funding agreements being in place for Cycle 2 Flood Schemes. At present, there is no indication of when funding will be made available. Therefore, it is unlikely that this action will be completed within the timeframe originally highlighted. Target Area Inverness 387 Action Type Flood study 38704 Action Delivery Lead THC RAG Status AMBER Update Identified to commence in 2026. A Highland wide Regional Coastal Change Adaptation Plan has been developed. This plan has identified South Kessock for a Local CCAP, subject to funding. Target Area Inverness 387 Action Type Flood warning maintenance 38709 Action Delivery Lead SEPA RAG Status AMBER Update SEPA has paused this action to investigate improvement to the River Ness flood warning scheme, as efforts have focused on advancing flood forecasting and warning systems to improve the resilience of the services we deliver across Scotland. For details on improvements to SEPA’s flood forecasting and warning service, see the 'Other Actions' section. Target Area Balintore 438 Action Type Flood study 43802 Action Delivery Lead THC RAG Status AMBER Update Identified to commence in 2026.
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Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan 2022-2028: Interim Report 22 A Highland wide Regional Coastal Change Adaptation Plan has been developed. This plan has identified that Balintore is not a priority area for a Local CCAP. No further study planned at this stage. Target Area Rockfield 439 Action Type Flood study 43902 Action Delivery Lead THC RAG Status AMBER Update Identified to commence in 2026. A Highland wide Regional Coastal Change Adaptation Plan has been developed. This plan has identified that Rockfield is not a priority area for a Local CCAP. No further study planned at this stage.
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23 List of Acronyms and Abbreviations FRM Flood Risk Management ICS Integrated Catchment Study LFRMP Local Flood Risk Management Plan LPD Local Plan District NFM Natural Flood Management PVA Potentially Vulnerable Area Q&S Quality & Standards (Scottish Water) SEPA Scottish Environment Protection Agency SR10/15 Spending Review periods for 2010-2015 and 2016-2021 for Scottish Water capital maintenance expenditure SWMP Surface Water Management Planning TEAMB Tay Estuary and Montrose Basin
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24 Appendix 1: Flood risk management responsibilities in Scotland and the legal requirement for the publication of this Interim Report
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25 Flood risk management in Scotland The Scottish Ministers, SEPA and responsible authorities must exercise their flood risk related functions with a view to reducing overall flood risk (reference Section 1(1) of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009). Through the preparation of a national flood risk assessment and setting of objectives to reduce the level of flood risk by SEPA, which is published in the Flood Risk Management Plan, and the publication of Local Flood Risk Management Plans by ‘lead’ local authorities, which detail how and when the actions agreed to meet these objectives are to be done, SEPA and all responsible authorities must act to manage flood risk in a sustainable way. Flood Risk Management Plan for Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan for Highland & Argyll Legal requirement This document sets out the conclusions of the review of the Local Flood Risk Management Plan (LFRMP) for the Highland & Argyll LPD as required by Section 37 of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 (the “Act”). 37 Local flood risk management plans: Interim Report (1) Not earlier than 2 years and not later than 3 years after a local flood risk management plan is finalised, the lead authority must — (a) review the plan, and (b) publish a report on the conclusions of the review including information on the progress that has been made towards implementing the measures identified in the implementation part of the plan. (2) The lead authority must make copies of the report available for public inspection. The Highland & Argyll LFRMP was published in December 2022, therefore, the Interim Report needs to be published between December 2024 and December 2025. The Interim Report provides a summary of the LFRMP actions (‘measures’) and the proposed delivery timescales. The information on progress will include: • an assessment of the progress towards implementing each of the actions; • reasons for any actions where delivery is not as planned; and • a description of arrangements planned to deliver the remaining actions and to address delayed actions.
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26 The Interim Report is published by the ‘lead authority’ as defined by Section 34(9) of the Act in partnership with SEPA and the ‘responsible authorities’, as defined by Section 5 of the Act. The approval of the Interim Report will be in accordance with the agreed governance arrangements in the LPD. The responsible authorities for the Highland & Argyll LPD are: • The Highland Council (lead authority) • Argyll & Bute Council • Cairngorm National Park • Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park • Forestry and Land Scotland • Scottish Water. The lead authority must also publish a Final Report on the LFRMP under Section 38 of the Act between December 2026 and December 2082 (not earlier than 5 years and not later than 6 years from the publication of the Plan). The Final Report will provide an assessment of current actions and a summary of current actions not implemented, with reasons for their non- implementation. The Final Report will also include a description of any other measures implemented, which the lead authority considers have contributed to the achievement of the objectives summarised in the LFRMP. Publication The published Interim Report for the Highland & Argyll LFRMP will be made available for public inspection, as per Section 37(2) of the Act, via the website of the lead authority, The Highland Council: www.highland.gov.uk; search for “Interim Report LFRMP”. Links to the published Interim Report for the Highland & Argyll LFRMP will also be provided from Scottish Government, SEPA and other responsible authority websites. A hard (paper) copy of the published Interim Report for the Highland & Argyll LFRMP is also available for public inspection on weekdays between 9am and 5pm at the following location(s): Council access points at Highland Council’s offices in Dingwall. Copies of the published Interim Report for the Highland & Argyll LFRMP may also be available at offices of other responsible authorities. Detailed arrangements for publication of the Interim Report for Highland & Argyll LFRMP are in Appendix 2.
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27 Appendix 2: Publication details Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 Publication of Interim Report for the Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan – Summary of Proposed Communications Activities The following communications activities will be used to publicise and make the Interim Report available: • Upon finalising the Interim Report for the Highland & Argyll Local FRM Plan, Sections 37(2), 53 and 54 of the Act specifically require The Highland Council, as the lead authority, to o Publish an Interim Report on the Highland & Argyll Local FRM Plan; o Make copies of the Interim Report available for public inspection free of charge and at all reasonable times; o Publicise the arrangements for making it available by means of a notice in the appropriate newspapers (at least one Scottish newspaper and such local newspapers within the LPD as considered appropriate) • The Interim Report for the Highland & Argyll Local FRM Plan will be published in a hard copy format and a pdf version will also be made available on the Council’s website at The Highland Council FRM Plans • Hard copies of the Interim Report for the Highland & Argyll Local FRM Plan will be held and made available upon request at The Highland Council’s offices in Dingwall. • A letter (with a pdf version of the report on DVD) will be sent to SEPA and the Scottish Ministers. • On or before the publication date [to be advised], public notices will be placed in the Press and Journal and The Northern Scott, fulfilling our duties to publicise the Interim Report in accordance with Sections 37, 53 and 54 of the 2009 Act.