FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT The next steps

The National Technical Advisory Group On Flooding Issues An Overview and the Future

NTAG - Background Following flood events of summer 2002 Ad Hoc Committee of Ministers on Flooding Issues set up in October 2002 to: “Consider current arrangements for addressing flood risk and how advice and support is provided to those at risk from, and affected by, flooding.”

NTAG – Why was it set up? To offer advice to the Executive to help: in the preparation of technical guidance; define sustainable flood management; and in the production of the 2 nd Generation Flood Risk Map.

NTAG – Why was it set up? But also to provide a forum for stakeholders to discuss flooding issues such as: impacts of Climate Change on flooding; links between flood prevention schemes and planning, and social impacts of flooding.

NTAG – Who’s involved? Wide membership calling on expertise from: Local and central government SEPA Scottish Water Scottish Natural Heritage NGOs Academia Industry

NTAG – The Sub-Groups NTAG set up 3 Sub-Groups to take forward the work plan. NTAG Main Group Sustainable Flood Management Sub-Group Guidance Sub- Group Mapping and Hydrometric Data Sub-Group

NTAG – The Sustainable Flood Management (SFM) Sub-Group The SFM sub-group has produced a draft: definition for SFM, set of objectives for SFM for all stakeholders to aim for, and underlying this, a set of principles to demonstrate how stakeholders might deliver SFM.  It has also started detailed work on indicators to help measure SFM.

NTAG – The Guidance Sub-Group The guidance Sub-Group has produced: an overall outline of the guidance needed; draft technical guidance on Economic Appraisal and Approaches to Risk and outlines for technical guidance on Introduction and Overview, the Statutory Process and Strategic Considerations.

NTAG – Mapping And Hydrometric Data Sub- Group The Mapping Sub-Group has: produced a review on the hydrometric data network in Scotland and made a number of important recommendations and offered expert advice to SEPA on the production of the Second Generation Flood Map.

NTAG – the Future? NTAG final meeting was held on the 23 rd September But what next for the Executive? report NTAG’s findings to Ministers by the end of 2004 with recommendation on whether NTAG should continue; complete the technical guidance;

NTAG – the Future? (cont.) compilation of national biennial reports covering both river and coastal, and also sewer flooding (from 2005); public consultation on the draft definition, objectives and principles of SFM and further the work on SFM, in particular develop indicators and test the outcomes.

NTAG – the Future? (cont.) What next for NTAG? Advice on the production, use and review of the Second Generation Flood Risk Map. Legislative changes including consideration of the recommendations made in Part B of COSLA report on flooding. Future funding of flood prevention schemes - Project prioritisation?

NTAG – the Future? (cont.) The EC Communication: Flood risk management – Flood Prevention, Protection and Mitigation. The content of biennial national flooding report. Learning to Live with Rivers report with a view to identifying and drafting Scottish add- ons.

NTAG – the Future? (cont.) The outcomes from Defra consultation on its new Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management. European sustainable flood risk management policy. The findings from future research studies.

National Technical Advisory Group on Flooding Issues A work in progress

NTAG research NTAG has illustrated the need for a forward thinking and forward planned research agenda to support flood risk management activity Knowledge Understanding Interpretation Dissemination Communication Executive has appointed SNIFFER to provide a research and knowledge management service, (see display board)

NTAG research Two major Projects 1.Flood Risk Management Research Consortium Part funded by the Executive Ensure Scottish representation in the 8 work streams Ensure direct Scottish dissemination of findings

NTAG research 2.Coordinated European Research on Flooding Strategic integration of flood risk management, e.g. risk maps, asset registers Identification of knowledge gaps and opportunities Scottish representation and communication Informs European sustainable flood risk management policy as it develops.

NTAG research Ongoing SEERAD research into flooding: Asset Register and Condition Assessment of Flood and Coastal Defences Natural Flood Storage and Extreme Flood Events Other research projects are supported to ensure Scottish catchments and flood characteristics are considered, maintaining maximum relevance to the professional community engaged in flood management prevention, mitigation and prevention.

Proactive approach 2nd Generation flood risk maps Catchment Flood Management Plans (Europe) Authorities develop portfolio of responses (Foresight) Identify options for sustainable flood prevention schemes Balance national and local priorities Inform future resource needs

Current approach Schemes react to severe events But may not address highest risk Substantial increase in resource needs Ten fold increase since 1999 How can future needs balance with finite resources? Phasing; Prioritisation?