2. How is the Welsh Government working with local authorities to improve flood protection? OAQ(5)0080(ERA)

We work with local authorities identifying communities at risk and building resilience through better forecasting, awareness raising and funding priority schemes. Twenty-three million pounds of this year’s £54 million programme is allocated directly to local authorities. We also collaborate on the coastal risk management programme, increasing our resilience to climate change.

Thank you. The Welsh Government has continued to invest in flood and coastal risk management, spending over £50 million in this financial year on reducing risks and maintaining existing assets. This continued investment is welcome and is vital to ensuring that family homes and businesses are protected from flooding. Over a decade ago, the town of Mold in my constituency was devastated by flooding when the river Alyn burst its banks, and the area remains a flood risk today. A Mold flood alleviation scheme has been under construction for many years, but, to date, no agreement has been reached. Minister, can you assure my constituents that plans are still on track to implement the scheme, and that work between Flintshire County Council and the Welsh Government will continue on this matter?

Thank you. I know my officials are still in discussions with Flintshire County Council, and I know that the local authority itself is reassessing and reviewing the cost. Because I think, over 10 years, obviously, the costs from the original prediction have increased significantly. So, I understand the local authority are working with a local consultant to review the modelling work and asset information.

The reality is, of course, that the budget for flood prevention has been cut. Now, given that there is additional capital funding to come to Wales in light of the autumn statement, will you make the strongest case possible for ensuring that that source is restored?

I have made the strongest case possible to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, and you will find out next week if it’s been successful or not.

Cabinet Secretary, given that, as Llyr Gruffydd said, resources are tight, and flood prevention protection schemes are, in terms of capital, very expensive, and revenue as well, do you think now would be a good time, with the agenda moving on to greater local authority collaboration, and pan-local authority developments, such as the south Wales metro, and city regions, to look at regionalising flood protection, rather than just leaving it with individual local authorities, to get them to work together more closely and to develop more cost-effective and sustainable schemes?

I suppose it’s important that local authorities work together if a flood scheme crosses borders of local authorities. I’m not sure that regionalisation would be particularly beneficial. However, we’re always encouraging local authorities to work much more collaboratively together, so, as I say, if they felt that it would be worthwhile, I’ve no objection to that at all.

Will the Minister make a statement on actions the Welsh Government is taking to support the Traveller community, please?

That’s the incorrect question. Huw Irranca-Davies.

As the Cabinet Secretary will know, many of my constituents, not least those in Maesteg, were recently affected by the flash flooding. As we approach Christmas, many of them are out of their homes, with relatives, with family, their belongings have been taken away in skips, and their houses are drying out. Some of them could be out for some time.

Can I ask the Cabinet Secretary for advice for one such constituent, caught in a dire predicament? Their home flooded thanks to the flash flooding running down the hillside and through theirs and other properties—nothing to do with river flooding, nothing to do with coastal inundation. Yet, their insurer has called their claim invalid, after their sodden belongings were taken away to the skip, because they failed to identify, when signing the policy, that their house was within 200m of a river. This was an oversight, and I wonder how many people are now caught out by this 200m rule, which now seems common to many policies. There aren’t, frankly, many places in my constituency, which are river valleys, that are not within 200m of some river or other. So, what advice could she give to my constituent, and would she raise this matter in future discussions with the British Insurance Brokers’ Association and with the Association of British Insurers? A catch-all clause of living within 200m of a river is a heck of a cop-out for the British insurance industry.

Yes, it’s very concerning to hear of your constituents’ experience with that. And it’s very good that you’ve raised it here in the Chamber. I’d be very happy to write straight away to the British insurance brokers, raising that issue, and, obviously, I will share that information with you when I receive it.