SEPA Consultation – Potentially Vulnerable Areas for Flood Risk Management
Argyll and Bute Council · 20 June 2024
Back to Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee — 20 June 2024 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE 20 JUNE 2024 SERVICES SEPA CONSULTATION – POTENTIALLY VULNERABLE AREAS FOR FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is running a consultation on Potentially Vulnerable Areas (PVAs) for Flood Risk Management. This report provides information on this consultation. 1.2 The report recommends that Members consider completing the consultation questionnaire on an individual basis. 2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 It is recommended that the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee:- • Consider and note this report. • Members consider completing the consultation questionnaire on an individual basis noting the 24 June closing date. 3.0 DETAIL 3.1 The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is running a consultation on Potentially Vulnerable Areas (PVAs) for Flood Risk Management. Potentially Vulnerable Areas are areas where significant flood risk exists now, or is likely to occur in the future. PVAs help provide information to understand and prioritise where work could benefit the most. They are a vital part of protecting people, properties, businesses, communities, infrastructure, and our environment. 3.2 The PVAs are updated and published every six years. They were first identified in 2011 and were updated in 2018. In December 2024, they are due to be updated again. This consultation seeks views on proposed changes. The consultation and further information can be found on SEPA’s website here: Consultation on Potentially Vulnerable Areas (PVAs) for Flood Risk Management in Scotland 2024 - Scottish Environment Protection Agency - Citizen Space (sepa.org.uk)
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3.3 After the consultation closes on 24 June 2024, SEPA will publish a summary of responses on their website. SEPA will take account of views received and submit proposals to Scottish Ministers later this year. Scottish Ministers will then formally designate the PVAs and they will be published in December 2024. SEPA will also use the consultation responses to inform future flood risk management work. In addition the PVAs provide a useful resource for developers and builders who may need to include mitigation (such as raising floor levels) as part of any building work being progressed in or near a PVA. 3.4 Due to the number of PVAs identified in the SEPA consultation it is proposed that Members consider completing the consultation document individually rather than the Council completing a combined Council response. From a technical and professional point of view officers are content that the changes proposed by SEPA are well informed by available flood data and that the revised PVAs will provide organisations and individuals with information to understand and prioritise where work could benefit the most. 3.5 In addition to this report being presented to the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee, the Committee Chair has agreed to the report being circulated to all Council Members for their consideration. In addition, the Council’s Communication Team will publicise the consultation and officers will arrange to do this on social media platforms. 4.0 CONCLUSION 4.1 This report provides the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee with an update on SEPA’s consultation regarding PVAs. 5.0 IMPLICATIONS 5.1 Policy – None arising directly from this report. 5.2 Financial – None arising directly from this report. 5.3 Legal – None arising directly from this report. 5.4 HR – None arising directly from this report. 5.5 Fairer Scotland Duty: 5.5.1 Equalities – None arising directly from this report. 5.5.2 Socio-economic Duty – None arising directly from this report. 5.5.3 Islands – None arising directly from this report. 5.6 Climate Change – To meet the challenge of climate change, Scottish Environment Protection Agency are seeking input from Local Authorities which will inform future flood risk management work. 5.7 Risk – None arising directly from this report. 5.8 Customer Service – None arising directly from this report. 5.9 Rights of the Child – None arising from this report.
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Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services: Kirsty Flanagan Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity Services: Councillor John Armour June 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