Convener to Enlist Support of First Minister for Flooding Support

The Highland Council is seeking a meeting with the Scottish Executive to press the case for special funding to meet the bill for repairing the damage caused to council houses, roads, bridges and culverts as the result of last week’s flooding and strong winds.

The Council is facing “significant” costs which will place added pressure on the Council’s hard-pressed budgets unless the Executive steps in.

Convener Councillor Alison Magee led a delegation which met Rhona Brankin, Deputy Minister for Environment  and Rural Development Minister, in Dingwall on Sunday to highlight the extent of the disruption which extended from Dingwall to Wick and Thurso. The Convener also took the opportunity of raising the matter with First Minister, Jack McConnell, at the Highlands and Islands Convention at Forres on Monday.

Councillor Magee welcomed Ms Brankin’s visit to Dingwall and her statement to the Scottish Parliament today (Wednesday).

She said: “Our priority is to identify all the damage caused by the exceptional floods and subsequent gales and estimate the repair bill. Once we have a clear picture of what is involved we will submit a report to Ms Brankin and the Finance Minister Tom McCabe and at that time seek a meeting to discuss how the repair bill is going to be met.”

She recalled the Council had faced a bill of £3.6 million in January 2005, following the very strong winds that hit the Highlands. This in the main had been found from balances the Council holds for such a contingency.

The Convener said: “With climate change, we are experiencing many more instances of extreme weather. Indeed this is the third major incident in four years. The Executive operates the Bellwin Scheme to help compensate councils for the immediate effects of an emergency but our experience over the years is the assistance comes no where close to meeting the cost of repairs.  In recognising the impact of climate change, I would like the Executive to consider providing a contingency fund to meet this kind of emergency.”