Welcome for minister’s commitment on flood scheme

Date Added - 03/11/09

Senior Moray councillors have welcomed further confirmation from the Scottish Government that it is committed to providing the necessary funding for Elgin’s flood alleviation scheme.

In a letter to Moray Council convener Councillor George McIntyre, Scottish environment minister Roseanna Cunningham gave an assurance of the government’s “continuing commitment to supporting your council’s long-term commitments for investment in flood management measures in Moray.”

The minister was responding to a letter from the convener which sought clarification on the government’s position on both the long-awaited Elgin flood scheme and the costs – estimated at more than £2million – which the council had incurred as a result of the latest flooding incident in early September this year.

Ms Cunningham said that despite recent changes to the way in which specific funding for flood schemes was now allocated to councils, “known schemes” such as Elgin would be recognised under the previous funding arrangements.

“Under this approach, Moray’s share of the former flood provision grant is the largest amount of money allocated for flood risk management in the whole of Scotland,” said the minister.

She said that work to review the future distribution methodology of resources had taken place between the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) and a report had gone to ministers and Cosla leaders.

The minister continued: “I understand that it (the report) has taken into account the continuing need to recognise previously agreed commitments for major capital projects such as flood prevention schemes.”

Councillor McIntyre said he was extremely encouraged by the Scottish Government’s commitment to flood issues in Moray and in particular the Elgin scheme.

“We have enjoyed extremely constructive dialogue with the Scottish Government on this vitally important issue for the people of Elgin,” he said.

“That dialogue has been progressed at officer level and between Scottish ministers and elected members of Moray Council.

“At times there has appeared to be some uncertainty in terms of funding for the Elgin scheme and other flood schemes being promoted by Moray Council.

“However, we have already seen the completion of schemes at Lhanbryde and Forres and the scheme currently under way at Rothes is already proving its worth.

“The minister’s commitment to the biggest scheme of all, for Elgin, will be welcomed by everyone who has been affected by flooding in the past and who face the threat of being affected in the future.”

There was further encouraging news for Moray in the minister’s letter when she revealed that the government might be prepared to extend the deadline for the council to reclaim unforeseen expenditure incurred as a result of  the September floods, when homes in Elgin and Fochabers were particularly badly hit.

Under what is known as the Bellwin scheme, councils can normally only claim for the first two months for costs associated with providing temporary accommodation for families washed out of their homes.

In the case of the September floods, two months have already come and gone with around 60 households still in temporary accommodation.

Ms Cunningham told Councillor McIntyre: “I can confirm that we will be prepared to consider any case your council can present in support of the costs of accommodating people in temporary accommodation longer than two months.”

Councillor John Russell, chairman of the council’s flood alleviation sub-committee, said he too was heartened by the tenor of the minister’s response and her clear understanding of the issues facing Moray Council in terms of flood alleviation.

“The minister’s response to the convener’s letter will help to set a lot of minds at rest,” said Councillor Russell.

“She and the Scottish Government are clearly sympathetic to the recurring problems which Moray, and Elgin in particular, has suffered in recent times.

“As an Elgin councillor, I await with keen anticipation the outcome of the recent public inquiry into the Elgin scheme, especially now that the minister has given an unequivocal commitment to the funding of the scheme.”