Decision details

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided a summary of the duties, expectations and equality considerations for local authorities arising from Audit Scotland’s national report Flooding in Communities: Moving Towards Flood Resilience.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee:

1.    noted the national implications associated with flooding and flood resilience;

2.    noted the duties and expectations placed on Councils by Audit Scotland’s 2025 report Flooding in Communities: Moving Towards Flood Resilience;

3.    noted the staffing and resource pressures that mirror the national findings of Audit Scotland;

4.    endorsed a proactive stance in national forums (COSLA / Scottish Government) to demand a funding model that provides clarity on Cycle 2 & 3 allocations and ensures that high-performing Councils are not penalised by national Cycle 1 cost overruns, in particular enabling the Oban Flood Protection Scheme; and

5.    acknowledged the success of the Campbeltown delivery while noting the external strategic and financial risks stalling the proposed Oban scheme.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure, dated June 2026, submitted)