National Flood Resilience Strategy: implementation report 2021 - 2025

Introduction and Background

Flooding can have devastating consequences on individuals, businesses and communities. Across Scotland, there are around 400,000 homes, businesses and services at medium risk of flooding from rivers, surface water and the sea. The risk of flooding to people, communities and buildings is one of the most severe climate risks for Scotland and the costliest for businesses. By 2100, climate change could push that number of properties at medium risk to 634,000.

During the period of 2021 to 2025 there were several significant flood events (Annex A) that impacted properties, businesses and services. The most notable was Storm Babet. It led to extensive flooding of communities, evacuation of property and impact on infrastructure - particularly the overtopping of Brechin flood defences.

While it is not always possible to avoid all flooding steps can be taken to reduce the likelihood of a flood event occurring, to minimise its impact and to help those affected by flood events.

A framework for coordination and cooperation at a national and local level was developed in the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 (“the Act”), which clearly sets out the roles and responsibilities of the key agencies involved in flood risk management, notably the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and responsible authorities such as local authorities and Scottish Water. A hierarchy of responsibilities is outlined in Annex B.

Coordination and cooperation of these agencies, alongside work to engage and empower communities at risk of flooding, underpins a sustainable approach to evaluating and managing flood risk across Scotland.

This report outlines the progress of work carried out between 2021 and 2025 and is laid before the Scottish Parliament in accordance with section 52 of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 (“the 2009 Act”). This report summarises the action taken during the 2021-2025 period by the Scottish Ministers, SEPA and the responsible authorities under Part 3 of the 2009 Act (including action taken for securing compliance with the requirements of Directive 2007/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the assessment and management of flood risks) and on action taken to implement measures identified in flood risk management plans approved under section 32 of the 2009 Act

The report is set out in two sections followed by a short conclusion.

1. Part A sets out the progress made on specific themes

2. Part B sets out the progress made by each of the responsible authorities