3. Will the Minister provide an update on flood recovery work in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney? OQ55315

In response to flooding caused by storm Dennis, local authorities have undertaken extensive works across Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney to assess the damage caused and to conduct repairs to flood alleviation assets. Increased inspections and maintenance of flood alleviation assets have also been undertaken to reduce the risk of future flooding.

Thank you for that response, Minister. Firstly, can I add my sympathy to others' for those people who have been yet again affected by flooding in recent days? In parts of my constituency, the problem is not just about rivers flooding, but it's also the adequacy of largely Victorian local drainage and culvert systems, which frankly seem unable to cope with the extreme weather conditions that now seem to be quite commonplace. I am, however, picking up on the point you've just made, and very pleased to see some of the evidence in my constituency of the recovery work after the storm damage earlier in the year. But it does seem to me that there is a significant need for retro-adaptation of some of these old systems, and fresh investment in sustainable drainage infrastructure. So, what further scope is there for targeted local action as a complement to the larger schemes that are currently being funded?

Thank you, Dawn Bowden, and there's certainly lots of scope, and I know Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council are procuring consultants to develop five schemes, identified as highest risk flood defences, but they've also completed the refurbishment of a collapsed culvert known to have flooded 10 properties in the Merthyr Vale area. So, it's really good to see that sort of proactive work from the council and they've also engaged with consultants to commence development work for capital works where 170 properties were flooded during storm Dennis. But I absolutely agree with you, the flooding we saw last week was absolutely heartbreaking, and particularly in an area like Pentre, which I know is not in your constituency, but it suffered flooding, and I know there are houses in your constituency that have had multiple flooding as well. So, it's really important that we continue to get the schemes, because we have the capital available for those schemes, and I'm now funding the sort of preparatory work 100 per cent, because I think local authorities told us that could be a barrier, so we're funding all that preparatory work 100 per cent now, so please do encourage the local authority to come forward. I don't think we had any bids from Merthyr in relation to the financial assistance we offered from the flood risk management programme, but I'm still open to consider such bids.