Local Flood Risk Management Plans - S37 Interim Update
Argyll and Bute Council · 11 September 2025
Back to Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee — 11 September 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 11 September 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 11 September 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: • 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.
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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 – i. endorse the report; ii. approve the content of the report and appendices to be provided to the Lead Authorities to allow the Section 37 Interim Reports to be prepared; and iii. agree that the Section 37 Interim Reports are brought back to Committee later in the year for approval. 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 3.1 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 have been ongoing since October 2023 and the final element of these works (the relocation of the pump electrical units) is programme for Q3 2025/26. 4.3.3. Hydrological study 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. 4.3.4. Japanese Knotweed survey undertaken and a report is expected to be available by September 2025. No works are anticipated to follow this report.
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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, 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. 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. Council’s
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Legal department is determining appropriate responsibilities. 4.8 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. 4.9. 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: 4.9.1. Flood Incident Recording, 4.9.2. Watercourse Inspections, 4.9.3. Waterbody Assessments, 4.9.4. Schedule of Clearance and Repair Works, 4.9.5. Flood Protection Schemes Asset Register, 4.9.6. Providing resilience for flood and weather events. 4.10. 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 be carried out more accurately, more reliably, and on clear frequency; with frequencies being based on the appropriate risk assessment of each individual waterbody.
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4.11. Coastal Change Adaptation Plans / Shoreline Management Plans 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 update on progress with flood risk management activities across Argyll and Bute including news actions which are in development. 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.
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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 September 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, Engineer Jamie.salmon@argyll-bute.gov.uk Appendix A – Actions Appendix B – LPD Wide