Thank you very much, Chair. I too would like to thank Joyce Watson for choosing this topic as her short debate this week. We know that flash flooding can have devastating effects on the lives of those affected and that’s why it is a priority area of work for this Government. This is reflected in our commitment, through ‘Taking Wales Forward’, to continue to invest in flood defence work and take further action to better manage water in our environment. Research shows future climate change will bring increased sea levels, more intense storms, which will also lead to more flash flooding. Therefore, we need to continue to work together to reduce this risk, help communities adapt, and to build our resilience.

Earlier this month, we saw a number of isolated flood events as a result of flash flooding in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion and Gwynedd. I do offer my sympathy to those people who have been affected and had their homes flooded. So, we continue to support local authorities and Natural Resources Wales to build resilience to such events. I recently announced additional £1.2 million revenue funding for local authorities and NRW to support work in carrying out asset inspections and maintenance before the winter, so that we can ensure that we do absolutely remain resilient to flooding. This vital flood-risk management work ensures assets continue to function effectively in severe weather conditions, and I’m pleased the take-up has been so positive.

So, we now have a four-year capital settlement, which means, over the lifetime of this Government, we will invest over £144 million capital with local authorities and NRW to reduce the risk of flooding and coastal erosion. Together with the coastal risk management programme, this means a potential investment of £256 million through our flood programmes. This financial year will see significant schemes in Boverton, St Asaph, Little Haven, and Pontarddulais complete, which will reduce the risk of flooding to over 800 properties. I also committed £1 million of annual flood budgets for local authorities earlier this year to carry out small-scale and essential maintenance work. I think the grant really was welcomed by local authorities, because they recognise that whilst the big, high-value schemes are, of course, vital—. I think smaller works are just as important at a local level, particularly if we are going to reduce the risk of flash flooding.

So, remaining resilient to flood events is not just about our investment in assets, it also includes the vital work NRW and local authorities do with communities to make them aware of the risks they face and how they can prepare.

Joyce Watson made a particular point about amendments that were made to permitted development rights to allow only porous surfaces in front gardens without the need to apply for planning permission. We know this has encouraged the use of types of surfaces that then help reduce run-off and reduce risk of flooding to properties. You’re quite right: that doesn’t apply to the rear of buildings. Neither does it apply to the side of buildings. So, it’s something that I would certainly be very happy to look at.

Mike Hedges raises the point that we should be planting more trees. I cannot disagree with you on that, Mike, and, certainly, I think it’s a discussion that I’m having. I don’t think we are planting enough trees. I’ve been in front of the committee that you chair, Mike, around this issue. We need more trees for many reasons, and this, clearly, is one of them.

Part of our approach to flood-risk management in Wales is the acknowledgement of what the natural environment can do in holding back water, minimising run-off, and reducing the amount of water to enter our rivers during rainfall events. So, schemes such as tree planting, the creation of storage areas, and better use of sustainable drainage, can all help reduce the risk of flash flooding, so we are encouraging more natural flood-risk management through our national strategy for flood and coastal erosion risk management in Wales. In addition, Members will be aware of my recently published natural resources policy and that, again, outlines opportunities to manage flooding using such techniques. However, unfortunately, we know we can’t stop all flash flooding, but we can put maintenance schemes and processes in place to reduce the likelihood of them happening, and work with nature to manage water more effectively, both in our urban and rural environments.