8. DirApp Interim Progress Report on the Second Ayrshire Local Flood Risk Management Plan (1)
North Ayrshire Council · 30 September 2025
Back to Cabinet — 30 September 2025 and its agenda
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NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL 30 September 2025 Cabinet Title: Interim Progress Report on the Second Ayrshire Local Flood Risk Management Plan Purpose: To update Cabinet on the progress and next steps in relation to the publication of the Interim Progress Report on the Second Ayrshire Local Flood Risk Management Plan. Recommendation: It is proposed that Cabinet: a. notes the progress made by North Ayrshire Council in implementing the flood risk management measures contained in the Second Ayrshire Local Flood Risk Management Plan; and. b. approves the North Ayrshire Council content for the Interim Progress Report provided at Appendix 1; and c. notes that that similar updates are being collated by South Ayrshire Council, East Ayrshire Council, SEPA and Scottish Water; and d. notes that all updates will be included in an Ayrshire Interim Progress Report on the Second Ayrshire Local Flood Risk Management Plan which will be published prior to the required deadline of 31st December 2025 and that the information will also be added to the interactive ‘webmap’ developed on behalf of the Lead Local Authority Forum. 1. Executive Summary 1.1 The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act provides a framework for the assessment and sustainable management of flood risk throughout Scotland. 1.2 For flood risk management purposes, the country is divided into 12 Local Plan Districts, with Ayrshire operating as a single Local Plan District (LPD). 1.3 North Ayrshire Council as the lead local authority for the Ayrshire LPD, is required to review and publish by the end of December 2025, an interim progress report on the actions contained in the current Ayrshire Local Flood Risk Management Plan, which was approved by Cabinet on 29 November 2022.
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1.4 North Ayrshire Council is responsible for 34 area-specific flood risk management measures within its area. The progress made towards implementing the 34 North Ayrshire Council-led actions is summarised in Appendix 1 of this report. 1.5 The interim progress report also requires updates to be provided by the other responsible flood authorities in the Ayrshire LPD on the management measures that they are responsible for. These are South Ayrshire Council, East Ayrshire Council, Scottish Water, and SEPA. These authorities are currently finalising a progress review of their actions and have undertaken to produce these in sufficient time for collation and publication of the Interim Progress Report. 1.6 On receipt of the partner updates, an Ayrshire Interim Progress Report will be finalised in time to meet the December 2025 publication date required by legislation. 1.7 It is intended that the progress review will be included in a national ‘webmap’ which will help to increase public awareness and engagement with the Local Flood Risk Management Plan measures. 2. Background 2.1 The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act (‘the Act’) provides a framework for the assessment and sustainable management of flood risk throughout Scotland. 2.2 For flood risk management purposes, the country is divided into 12 Local Plan Districts, with Ayrshire operating as a single Local Plan District (LPD). 2.3 For each LPD, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is required to publish a Flood Risk Management Plan (‘the SEPA FRM Plan’) and the lead local authority is required to publish and report on a Local Flood Risk Management Plan (‘the Local FRM Plan’). Both plans contain the same LPD-wide and community specific measures to manage flood risk but the local plan provides further information about the timing, funding and coordination of the measures. 2.4 Designated responsible flood authorities lead on the implementation of the measures contained in both plans. For the Ayrshire LPD, these authorities are North Ayrshire Council, South Ayrshire Council, East Ayrshire Council, Scottish Water, and SEPA. 2.5 The current SEPA FRM Plan was published in 2021 and the Local FRM Plan was published by North Ayrshire Council as the lead local authority for the Ayrshire LPD, in 2022. The measures in these plans cover the second 6-year long flood risk management planning cycle 2022-2028 and replace the earlier plans that were published in 2015 and 2016 from the first flood risk management planning cycle. 2.6 The Act requires North Ayrshire Council to publish an interim progress report on the Local Flood Risk Management Plan by the end of December 2025 and to make copies of the report available for public inspection. 2.7 A review of North Ayrshire Council’s actions has been completed and is contained in Appendix 1 of this report. The other responsible authorities (South Ayrshire Council, East Ayrshire Council, Scottish Water and SEPA) are undertaking a review of their actions and will submit this information to North Ayrshire Council for inclusion in the
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interim progress report once they have secured the necessary internal approvals to publish their review details. North Ayrshire Progress Review 2.8 Guidance on the review of flood risk management measures has been issued by the Lead Local Authority Forum (‘the LLAF’). The LLAF shares good practice, exchanges information and addresses common issues connected with the development, publication and reporting of flood risk management plans. Membership includes Lead Local Authorities, Scottish Water, Scottish Government and SEPA. The LLAF’s guidance includes further information about the classification of measures into red, amber and green categories in order to provide a nationally consistent progress review. 2.9 There are 34 area-specific flood risk management measures that North Ayrshire Council are responsible for leading. These are detailed in Appendix 1. Of the 34 measures, 25 are categorised as green as they have progressed or are progressing as planned,1 measure is categorised as amber as it is still anticipated to be complete by the end of the current second planning cycle but not as initially programmed, and 8 measures are categorised as red as they are unlikely to be completed by 2028 within the current planning cycle. All of the ‘red’ actions relate to Flood Protection Scheme measures and are classed ‘red’ due to uncertainty over funding. Flood Protection Schemes 2.10 The Upper Garnock Valley Flood Protection Scheme and the Millport Coastal Flood Protection Scheme that were identified in the first flood risk management planning cycle and carried over into the current cycle are now complete and categorised as green. The construction of the Mill Burn, Millport Flood Protection Scheme, which was also identified in the first flood risk management planning cycle is anticipated to start in 2025 and is also categorised as green. 2.11 Delays in capital funding availability has significantly delayed the implementation of some of the other flood scheme design actions that were first identified in the second flood risk management planning cycle. These relate to the development of the North Ayrshire Council-led Flood Protection Scheme measures at Lamlash, Brodick, Fairlie and Irvine. 2.12 A funding review is underway by the Scottish Government and COSLA joint settlement distribution group. Until this review is complete, funding for all flood scheme measures identified in the second flood risk management planning cycle throughout the country cannot be confirmed. Without funding confirmation, further progress on the implementation of flood scheme measures cannot be made. 2.13 Overall progress at the mid-point in the current planning cycle is however well advanced with planned studies at Brodick, Lamlash, Irvine, the ‘Three Towns’, Largs and the upper Garnock Valley having already been completed or underway that will inform future measures if funding is confirmed. A planned surface water management plan at Kilwinning and a flood study at Whiting Bay (categorised as ‘amber’) are yet to start but are anticipated to be complete by the end of the current planning cycle in 2028.
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2.14 There are also LPD wide actions which are not area-specific but cover activities such as asset maintenance, land use planning, and awareness raising. The review of these actions is yet to be agreed with the other responsible authorities but are anticipated to be categorised as ‘green’ to reflect the ongoing nature of these measures. A list of the LPD-wide actions is included in Appendix 2 of this report. Local Coastal Change Adaptation Plans 2.15 Since the publication of the second Ayrshire Flood Risk Management Plan there has been an increasing emphasis placed on coastal change adaptation with interim Scottish Government guidance being published in 2023. In recognition of this interim guidance and the associated availability of coastal change adaptation funding, additional measures have been completed to deliver draft Local Coastal Change Adaptation Plans for Stevenston & Irvine. These plans update the adopted Ayrshire Shoreline Management Plan, which was published in 2018, and help to deliver the shoreline management plan updates that were anticipated to start in the third flood risk management planning cycle, beginning in 2028. Publication 2.16 Once all updates from the relevant responsible flood authorities are made available, North Ayrshire Council shall be able to finalise and publish the interim progress report on the Local Flood Risk Management Plan on the flooding pages of the Council’s and Ayrshire Roads Alliance websites. Advice has been sought on the format of the report from the Council’s web team to help meet accessibility standards. 2.17 An interactive Scotland-wide ‘webmap’ has been developed by the LLAF in order to increase public awareness and engagement with the Local Flood Risk Management Plan measures. This ‘webmap’ would supplement the interim progress report and increase public awareness and engagement with the ongoing and planned flood risk management actions. The Scottish Collaboration of Transport Specialists (SCOTS) are looking at agreement from the 32 Local Authorities on a lead hosting authority. NAC information is ready for upload once hosting is agreed and approval to publish granted. 3. Proposals 3.1 It is proposed that Cabinet: a. notes the progress made by North Ayrshire Council in implementing the flood risk management measures contained in the Second Ayrshire Local Flood Risk Management Plan; and. b. approves the North Ayrshire Council content for the Interim Progress Report provided at Appendix 1; and c. notes that that similar updates are being collated by South Ayrshire Council, East Ayrshire Council, SEPA and Scottish Water; and d. notes that all updates will be included in an Ayrshire Interim Progress Report on the Second Ayrshire Local Flood Risk Management Plan which will be published prior to the required deadline of 31st December 2025 and that the information will also be added to the interactive ‘webmap’ developed on behalf of the Lead Local Authority Forum
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4. Implications/Socio-economic Duty Financial 4.1 A formal agreement confirms North Ayrshire Council’s, South Ayrshire Council’s, and East Ayrshire Council’s funding contributions for North Ayrshire Council’s role as the lead local authority for the Ayrshire Local Plan District. These funding contributions cover the additional resources required to publish and report on the Interim Progress Report on the Second Local Flood Risk Management Plan. Human Resources 4.2 None. Legal 4.3 Publishing the Interim Progress Report on the Second Ayrshire Flood Risk Management Plan by the end of December 2025 will help to meet North Ayrshire Council’s obligations as Lead Local Authority under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 to publish a report on the review of the Second Ayrshire Local Flood Risk Management Plan. Equality/Socio-economic 4.4 None. Climate Change and Carbon 4.5 Publishing the Interim Progress Report on the Second Ayrshire Local Flood Risk Management Plan will help to communicate the progress being made towards implementing the Council’s Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy. Key Priorities 4.6 Publishing the Interim Progress Report on the Second Ayrshire Local Flood Risk Management Plan will help to demonstrate how the key priorities of 'protecting and enhancing the environment for future generations' and providing ‘sustainable and effective infrastructure’ are being achieved. Community Wealth Building 4.7 None. Islands Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) 4.8 None. United Nations Rights of the Child (UNCRC) 4.9 None.
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Consumer Duty 4.10 None. 5. Consultation 5.1 The progress review has followed the guidance formulated and agreed by the Lead Local Authority Forum to ensure that progress is reported in a consistent manner throughout the country. Local authority flooding teams were consulted for their views on the guidance prior to finalisation. RUSSELL McCUTCHEON Executive Director (Place) For further information please contact Gary Wilson, Senior Manager (Engineering Services), on 01294 324810 . Background Papers 0
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OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Appendix 1: Review of North Ayrshire Council’s Community-Specific Flood Risk Management Measures (2022-2028) Target Area. Action ID. Action Type. Original Anticipated Delivery (2022). RAG Status (2025). Progress in Delivery, including key deliverables and dates. Revised dates and planned actions to complete / address delay. Irvine 2101 Flood scheme or works design The flood scheme design shall be completed during Cycle 2 (2022 - 2028). The delivery of this action is subject to Scottish Government capital grant funding being made available. Red As the funding arrangements for Cycle 2 'flood scheme or works design' actions has not been confirmed, there has been no progress on this action. The revised completion date for this action is uncertain; it is dependent on the scheme qualifying for central government funding pending the ongoing review of current flood scheme funding arrangements by the settlement distribution group. Irvine 2102 Community engagement Community engagement will be an ongoing action throughout Cycle 2 (2022 - 2028). Red This action is linked to a 'Cycle 2 flood scheme or works design' action. As the funding arrangements for flood schemes has not been confirmed, there has been no progress on this action. The revised completion date for this action is uncertain; it depends on the linked 'flood scheme or works design action' qualifying for central government funding pending the ongoing review of current flood scheme funding arrangements by the settlement distribution group.
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OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Irvine 2104 Flood defence maintenance Flood defence maintenance will be an ongoing action throughout Cycle 2 (2022 - 2028). Green The outlets in the Waterside flood embankment are inspected and cleared when required every month under an existing North Ayrshire Council framework contract. N/A Irvine Coastal 2201 Flood study This study will be delivered during the second half of Cycle 2 (2025 - 2028). Green The Irvine Beach Coastal Management Study was completed in 2025. N/A Brodick 2301 Flood scheme or works design The flood scheme design shall be completed during Cycle 2 (2022 - 2028). The delivery of this action is subject to Scottish Government capital grant funding being made available. Red As the funding arrangements for Cycle 2 'flood scheme or works design' actions has not been confirmed, there has been no progress on this action. The revised completion date for this action is uncertain; it is dependent on the scheme qualifying for central government funding pending the ongoing review of current flood scheme funding arrangements by the settlement distribution group.
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OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Brodick 2302 Community engagement Community engagement will be ongoing, linked to the design of the Brodick Flood Protection Scheme. Red This action is linked to a 'Cycle 2 flood scheme or works design' action. As the funding arrangements for flood schemes has not been confirmed, there has been no progress on this action. The revised completion date for this action is uncertain; it depends on the linked 'flood scheme or works design action' qualifying for central government funding pending the ongoing review of current flood scheme funding arrangements by the settlement distribution group. Brodick 2303 Flood study This study will be delivered during the second half of Cycle 2 (2025 - 2028). Green The first phase of the Natural Flood Management Study for Brodick was completed in 2025. A second phase will be considered if there is sufficient landowner interest. N/A Lamlash 2401 Flood scheme or works design The flood scheme design shall be completed during Cycle 2 (2022 - 2028). The delivery of this action is subject to Scottish Government capital grant funding being made available. Red As the funding arrangements for Cycle 2 'flood scheme or works design' actions has not been confirmed, there has been no progress on this action. The revised completion date for this action is uncertain; it is dependent on the scheme qualifying for central government funding pending the ongoing review of current flood scheme funding arrangements by the settlement distribution group.
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OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Lamlash 2402 Community engagement Community engagement will be ongoing, linked to the design of the Brodick Flood Protection Scheme. Red This action is linked to a 'Cycle 2 flood scheme or works design' action. As the funding arrangements for flood schemes has not been confirmed, there has been no progress on this action. The revised completion date for this action is uncertain; it depends on the linked 'flood scheme or works design action' qualifying for central government funding pending the ongoing review of current flood scheme funding arrangements by the settlement distribution group. Lamlash 2403 Flood study This study will be delivered during the second half of Cycle 2 (2025 - 2028). Green The first phase of the Natural Flood Management Study for Lamlash was completed in 2025. A second phase will be considered if there is sufficient landowner interest. N/A Lamlash 2404 Flood defence maintenance Flood defence maintenance will be an ongoing action throughout Cycle 2 (2022 - 2028). Green The coastal defences in Lamlash are subject to a programme of general and principal inspections as part of North Ayrshire Council's roads asset management plan or are subject to regular 'T98' visual inspections. N/A
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OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Whiting Bay 2501 Flood study This study will be delivered during the first half of Cycle 2 (2022 - 2025). Amber This study is now programmed to start and be complete in the second half of the current flood risk management planning cycle. Procurement options shall be investigated to deliver the study by the end of the current flood risk management planning cycle. Whiting Bay 2502 Flood defence maintenance Flood defence maintenance will be an ongoing action throughout Cycle 2 (2022 - 2028). Green The coastal defences in Whiting are subject to a programme of general and principal inspections as part of North Ayrshire Council's roads asset management plan or are subject to regular 'T98' visual inspections. N/A Dalry 7601 Flood scheme or works implementation The Upper Garnock Flood Protection Scheme is under construction, which will be completed in the early part of Cycle 2. Green. Construction of the Upper Garnock Flood Protection Scheme was completed in 2023. N/A
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OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Dalry 7602 Community engagement Community engagement will be an ongoing action throughout Cycle 2 (2022 - 2028). Green. The hydraulic model for the upper R. Garnock was updated in 2024 to take account of the 2022 climate change allowances. Community engagement shall be carried out during the second half of the flood risk management planning cycle. N/A Kilwinning and Dalgarven 8001 Surface water management plan This action will be delivered during the second half of Cycle 2 (2025 - 2028). Green This work is programmed to start and be completed in the second half of the current flood risk management planning cycle. N/A Kilbirnie and Glengarnock 9701 Flood scheme or works implementation The Upper Garnock Flood Protection Scheme is under construction, which will be completed in the early part of Cycle 2. Green Construction of the Upper Garnock Flood Protection Scheme was completed in 2023. N/A
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OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Kilbirnie and Glengarnock 9702 Community engagement Community engagement will be an ongoing action throughout Cycle 2 (2022 - 2028). Green The hydraulic model for the upper R. Garnock was updated in 2024 to take account of the 2022 climate change allowances. Community engagement shall be carried out during the second half of the flood risk management planning cycle. N/A Kilbirnie and Glengarnock 9703 Flood study This study will be delivered during the first half of Cycle 2 (2022 - 2025). Green The hydraulic model for the upper R. Garnock was updated in 2024 to take account of the 2022 climate change allowances. Using this information, SEPA will complete the recalibration of the flood warning scheme by the end of the current flood risk management planning cycle. N/A Kilbirnie and Glengarnock 9704 Flood study (options appraisal) This study was completed before the Local Flood Risk Management Plan was published in 2022. Green. The study is complete and the actions have been promoted on North Ayrshire Council's website in order to encourage uptake by landowners. N/A
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OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Millport 11901 Flood scheme or works design (Mill Burn) The detailed design of the Mill Burn Flood Protection Scheme will be completed during the first half of Cycle 2. Construction is programmed to begin in 2023/24. Green The detailed design of the Mill Burn Flood Protection Scheme is complete and it is anticipated that the main construction contract will be awarded in 2023. N/A Millport 11902 Flood scheme or works implementation (Mill Burn) This action shall be delivered during Cycle 2 (2022-2028). Construction is programmed to begin in 2023/24. Green The detailed design of the Mill Burn Flood Protection Scheme is complete and it is anticipated that the main construction contract will be awarded in 2023. N/A Millport 11903 Community engagement (Mill Burn) Community engagement will be ongoing, linked to the design and implementation of the Mill Burn Flood Protection Scheme. Green A community consultation was completed in 2025 to inform the construction programme for the Mill Burn Flood Protection Scheme. N/A
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OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Millport 11904 Flood scheme or works design (Millport Coastal) The flood scheme design was completed prior to the publication of this Local Flood Risk Management Plan. Green The construction of the Millport Coastal flood scheme is complete. N/A Millport 11905 Flood scheme or works implementation (Millport Coastal) The delivery of the Millport Coastal Flood Protection Scheme shall be completed in Cycle 2 (2022 - 2028). Construction is programmed to begin in 2022/23. Green The construction of the flood scheme is complete. N/A Millport 11906 Community engagement (Millport Coastal) Community engagement will be ongoing throughout Cycle 2 (2022 - 2028) until the Millport Flood Protection Scheme has been implemented. Green. The construction of the flood scheme is complete. N/A
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OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Millport 11907 Flood defence maintenance Flood defence maintenance will be an ongoing action throughout Cycle 2 (2022 - 2028). Green The coastal defences in Millport are subject to a programme of general and principal inspections as part of North Ayrshire Council's roads asset management plan or are subject to regular 'T98' visual inspections. N/A Saltcoats and Stevenston 12101 Flood study This study will be delivered during the first half of Cycle 2 (2022 - 2025). Green Hydraulic modelling of the Stevenston Burn and the Stanley Burn was completed by North Ayrshire Council in 2025. An options appraisal has been commissioned and will be complete by the end of the current flood risk management planning cycle. N/A Saltcoats and Stevenston 12103 Flood defence maintenance Flood defence maintenance will be an ongoing action throughout Cycle 2 (2022 - 2028). Green The coastal defences in Saltcoats are subject to a programme of general and principal inspections as part of North Ayrshire Council's roads asset management plan or are subject to regular 'T98' visual inspections. N/A
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OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Largs north 14801 Flood study (options appraisal) This action will be delivered during the first half of Cycle 2 (2022 - 2025). Green A preferred option to modify the formal Largs flood scheme has been identified. The future implementation is being investigated. N/A Largs north 14802 Community engagement Community engagement will be an ongoing action throughout Cycle 2 (2022 - 2028). Green The Largs wave overtopping study is complete and further community engagement activities using the study outputs will be undertaken during the second half of the current flood risk management planning cycle. N/A Largs north 14803 Flood defence maintenance Flood defence maintenance will be an ongoing action throughout Cycle 2 (2022 - 2028). Green The coastal defences in Largs are subject to a programme of general and principal inspections as part of North Ayrshire Council's roads asset management plan. The Gogo Water flood wall is visually inspected every two years as part of the programmed inspection of watercourses. N/A
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OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Fairlie 15501 Flood scheme or works design The flood scheme design shall be completed during Cycle 2 (2022 - 2028). The delivery of this action is subject to Scottish Government capital grant funding being made available. Red As the funding arrangements for Cycle 2 'flood scheme or works design' actions has not been confirmed, there has been no progress on this action. The revised completion date for this action is uncertain; it is dependent on the scheme qualifying for central government funding pending the ongoing review of current flood scheme funding arrangements by the settlement distribution group. Fairlie 15502 Community engagement Community engagement will be an ongoing action throughout Cycle 2 (2022 - 2028). Red This action is linked to a 'Cycle 2 flood scheme or works design' action. As the funding arrangements for flood schemes has not been confirmed, there has been no progress on this action. The revised completion date for this action is uncertain; it depends on the linked 'flood scheme or works design action' qualifying for central government funding pending the ongoing review of current flood scheme funding arrangements by the settlement distribution group.
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OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Appendix 2: Area-wide measures for all Responsible Flood Authorities in the Ayrshire Local Plan District. Action type Action Description Awareness Raising SEPA, the responsible authorities and other organisations such as the Scottish Flood Forum work together through national and local initiatives to help communities understand the risk of flooding and what actions individuals can take. Improved awareness of flood risk and actions that prepare individuals, homes and businesses for flooding can reduce the overall impact of flooding. Local authorities undertake additional awareness raising activities when developing any specific project proposals and will engage with community resilience groups and local communities. Scottish Flood Forum support flood risk communities by raising community awareness, promoting self-help, developing community groups and establish a recovery support programme after a flood. Scottish Water will provide targeted flooding communications for Scottish Water specific activities and raise awareness by producing and supplying targeted information to the public on large capital projects and detailed local studies. Data to support climate resilience As Scotland’s hydrometric authority, SEPA operates a network of stations to measure river level, flow, rainfall, sea level, loch and groundwater level. The data goes into a long term data archive and is critical to underpin all flood risk management activities including flood warning, flood mapping, design of flood protection and sustainable development as well as supporting a range of regulatory and recreational uses. SEPA will continue to maintain and develop its hydrometric network, contribute to UK and international data archives, and improve and update the datasets used for flood frequency analysis. SEPA will support research and development of data, methods and guidance to improve the evidence on which decisions can be made, and to enable the impact of climate change to be included in all flood risk management activities.
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OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Emergency plans Many organisations, including local authorities, the emergency services and SEPA provide an emergency response to flooding. Emergency plans are prepared and maintained under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 by Category 1 and 2 Responders and are coordinated through regional and local resilience partnerships, often supported by voluntary organisations. They set out the steps to be taken to maximise safety and minimise impacts during flooding. Emergency plans may also be prepared by individuals, businesses, organisations or communities. Scottish Water is a Category 2 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and will support regional and local resilience partnerships as required. Flood forecasting The Scottish Flood Forecasting Service is a partnership between SEPA and the Met Office. The service continues to produce a daily, national flood guidance statement, issued to emergency responders, local authorities, and other organisations with flood risk management duties. In 2022 a new 3-day daily Scottish Flood Forecast was launched for the public. As the flood warning authority for Scotland SEPA continues to provide its flood warning service issuing flood alerts and warnings when required, giving people a better chance of reducing the impact of flooding on their home or business. Flood warning development framework SEPA published a new flood warning development framework in 2022, which details the ambition and strategic actions to maintain and improve the flood warning service across Scotland. SEPA will further develop phase 1 of the Scottish Flood Forecast based on feedback gathered during public beta release before fully launching the service to the public formally in early 2023. Phase 1 is the national 3- day flood forecast and the starting point of our journey in providing the public with earlier and improved flood information. SEPA will continue to follow the service design approach for phase 2 of the Scottish Flood Forecast, which will provide the public with more localised flood forecast information. User research will determine what information will be displayed on the regional flood forecast webpages. It is anticipated that the final service will bring together all live information such as flood warnings, river levels and rainfall data into a central hub that is easily accessible for the public. Working in close partnership with the Met Office through the Scottish Flood Forecasting Service, SEPA will develop its capability in surface water flooding forecasting, focusing initially on the transport sector to support climate-ready infrastructure. SEPA will also undertake a prioritised improvement programme of existing river and coastal flood warning schemes to provide more accurate forecasting with improved lead time.
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OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Future flood risk management planning The years covered by the lifetime of this plan are crucial. Radical progress is needed in how we reduce our impact on the climate and respond to the effects of climate change. How we plan to manage flooding to our communities is on the front line of the challenges of this decade. The 2027 flood risk management plans will be more ambitious than ever before. The plans will look to develop long term plans for more flood resilient communities prepared for the impacts of climate change. The priority areas which will be the focus points of the next flood risk management plans will be identified in 2024 with the designation of PVAs. A 3- month public consultation will be held to inform the PVA designation. We will plan for a better future by publishing our flooding services strategy in 2023 with a clear and measurable delivery plan. We will put greener, fairer communities at the heart of our ambitions. SEPA has set its own target to be a regenerative organisation by 2030 and the next set of plans will further this ambition. During this plan cycle, SEPA will work to develop new partnerships with a wider range of stakeholders, including businesses and commercial sectors. We will investigate alternative sources of finance to tackle flooding and drive forward practical options for adaptation. Guidance development The Scottish Government and SEPA will develop and update guidance to inform flood risk management projects. This guidance will be produced in 2022 and will look at how best to adapt to the long-term impacts of climate change and the most appropriate methods of assessing the benefits of flood risk management actions. Technical guidance to support flood risk management partners will be reviewed and updated by SEPA where required. Scottish Forestry, in collaboration with its UK counterparts, published ‘Designing and managing forests and woodlands to reduce flood risk: UK Forestry Standard Practice Guide’ in 2022. Guidance will be developed to help local authorities understand the requirements for mapping relevant bodies of water and sustainable urban drainage systems in their areas.
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OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Hazard mapping updates An understanding of flooding is essential to develop a plan led risk- based approach to flood risk management. SEPA will continue to update their national hazard mapping, which shows the likelihood of flooding in Scotland from different flooding sources: https://www.sepa.org.uk/environment/water/flooding/flood-maps/. SEPA will continue to develop the hazard mapping viewer to make it easier for the public, partners and stakeholders to access data on the likelihood of flooding. SEPA will also review how modelling and mapping updates are undertaken to develop a more effective method of regional and national updates for the hazard maps. Land use planning Local authorities, SEPA and Scottish Water all have a responsibility under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 to support sustainable flood risk management through the land use planning process. National planning policies set out the Scottish Ministers’ priorities for the development and use of land. Under this approach, new development in areas with medium to high likelihood of flooding should generally be avoided. Current national planning policies aim to restrict development within the floodplain and limit exposure of new receptors to flood risk, promote flood reduction via natural and structural flood management measures and restoration of natural features, and avoid increased surface water flooding through sustainable drainage and the minimisation of impermeable surfaces. Locally determined planning policies may place further requirements within their area of operation to restrict inappropriate development and prevent unacceptable risk. Maintenance Local authorities have a duty to assess bodies of water and to carry out clearance and repair works where such works would substantially reduce flood risk. Local authorities are also responsible for the drainage of roads. In addition, local authorities may also be responsible for maintenance of any existing flood protection schemes or works. Scottish Water will continue to undertake risk-based inspection, maintenance and repair on the public sewer network. Asset owners and riparian landowners are responsible for the maintenance and management of their own assets including those which help to reduce flood risk.
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OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Natural flood management mapping SEPA will continue to support activities that improve our understanding of how to effectively target and deliver natural flood management. As part of this, SEPA will review and update the opportunities mapping for natural flood management. This will include linking blue-green infrastructure with the surrounding natural catchment and coastline. Natural flood management seeks to store or slow down flood waters through measures such as the planting of woodlands, wetland creation, river restoration, or the creation of intertidal habitats. In addition to flooding benefits, natural flood management measures can also provide many additional benefits to biodiversity, water quality, recreation, and carbon storage. National flood risk assessment SEPA will use the most suitable data to review and update the national flood risk assessment (NFRA) undertaken in 2018. This update will be used to identify future potentially vulnerable areas and focus flood risk management planning. National surface water mapping The national flood risk assessment 2018 identified that surface water flooding has the potential to impact more properties in Scotland than any other source of flooding. Over the next 6 year cycle SEPA will look to vastly improve its national understanding of surface flood risk by undertaking a wholescale update of the national surface water maps to reflect developments in data and understanding, including the impact of climate change. Reservoirs SEPA will continue to develop its assessment of flood risk from dam failure and use these assessments to direct a proportionate regulatory approach to ensure reservoir safety. Over the next management cycle we will implement further developments of our flood warning capabilities in the unlikely event of reservoir failure. Scottish Flood Defence Asset Database (SFDAD) The Scottish Flood Defence Asset Database provides information on existing flood protection schemes. National data on flood protection infrastructure is needed to understand flood risk and to develop adaptation planning for Scotland. SEPA will continue to host SFDAD and look for opportunities to support the development of our understanding of how and when Scotland’s flood defence assets should be adapted to continue to maintain protection from flooding in the future.
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OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Self help Everyone is responsible for protecting themselves and their property from flooding. People can take steps to reduce damage and disruption to their homes and businesses should flooding happen. This includes preparing a flood plan and flood kit, installing property flood resilience measures, signing up to Floodline, engaging with their local flood group, and ensuring that properties and businesses are insured against flood damage. The following places offer help with taking steps to protect yourself: https://www.floodre.co.uk/ https://www.biba.org.uk/current- issues/flood-insurance/ https://floodlinescotland.org.uk/ https://scottishfloodforum.org/ Responsible authorities and SEPA will continue to develop the understanding of flood risk to communities and promote measures to help individuals and businesses to reduce their risk.