MSP calls for storm grants for Argyll
The Highlands and Islands’ new MSP has called on the Scottish Government to extend Storm Recovery Grant money to Argyll and Bute Council, after it was denied funding following the storms of October 2023.
Tim Eagle, who replaced Donald Cameron after the Conservative list MSP was ennobled into the UK Government, made the call during a Holyrood debate on flood management on Tuesday March 12.
Mr Eagle, a farmer and former Moray councillor, also asked the net zero secretary, Mairi McAllan MSP, why the council was excluded from the Storm Babet Ministerial Taskforce.
He told the Scottish Parliament: “The recent storms were among the worst to hit communities, and the increasing frequency of such events reinforces the need to continue to meet our environmental targets and shows that greater investment in weather defences is still needed.
“Although the government eventually took action for the communities most impacted by the storms, communities in Argyll and Bute were less fortunate.
“There, the unnamed storm of October 7 and Storm Babet, which hit Scotland one week later, caused extensive damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure.
“It was disappointing that residents and businesses in Argyll and Bute were not eligible to access the Storm Babet recovery grants and that, as I understand, Argyll and Bute Council was not invited to attend the Storm Babet Ministerial Taskforce.
“Our local authorities are often the first to respond to such adverse weather events, especially in communities across the Highlands and Islands, so it is vital they are properly supported and funded, and that communities such as those in Argyll and Bute are not left behind.”
Michael Marra, Labour MSP for North East Scotland, said:
“The disruption and upheaval that is caused when a property is flooded brings significant costs, too.
“In the midst of a cost of living crisis, most households and businesses can ill afford the emergency expenditure. It is right that the Government and local authorities step in to support residents at a time of such great need.”
The SNP MSP for Cunninghame North, Kenneth Gibson, added: “We must also do more to raise awareness of flooding risk and increase insurance uptake.
“In Scotland, the responsibility for protecting property from flooding rests with the owner. It is estimated that 284,000 properties in Scotland are at risk of flooding. That will rise to 394,000 by 2080 as a result of climate change.
“More than a quarter of households have no home insurance, and building and contents insurance premiums rose by a whopping 36 per cent last year – that figure will only increase.
“Those who are most likely not to be covered are the most vulnerable in society, the elderly and people in low-income households. We must look to see how we can protect them, not just their properties.”
Ms McAllan concluded: “Flooding is Scotland’s most significant climate adaptation challenge.
“This budget settlement [is] the most challenging that we have faced in the devolution era.
“Despite those circumstances, I was pleased to negotiate significant uplifts for my flooding protection and coastal change budget line, which will increase by 42 per cent to £91 million in 2024-25. That is vital, given that councils are statutorily responsible for designing and building protection schemes in their communities, and that the Scottish Government supports them financially to do so.
“In extreme circumstances, the Scottish Government can, and will, provide additional support.
“Storm Babet led to hundreds of properties and businesses across four local authority areas suffering inundation.
“The deputy first minister and I set up and ran the Babet taskforce in the aftermath. The taskforce agreed a package of additional financial support for residents and businesses.
“That is the emergency support that we are able to provide. It sits atop what the Scottish Government already provides, including the Bellwin scheme, the Scottish welfare fund and, where occupiers or businesses are flooded out of their properties, the council tax and non-domestic rates empty property relief.”