The following amendments have been selected: amendment 1 in the name of Darren Millar, and amendment 2 in the name of Rebecca Evans. If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be deselected.

Item 8 on our agenda is the Plaid Cymru debate on flooding in Rhondda Cynon Taf, and I call on Leanne Wood to move the motion. Leanne.

Motion NDM7561 Siân Gwenllian

To propose that the Senedd:

Calls on the Welsh Government to establish an independent inquiry into flooding in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Motion moved.

Diolch. I'm returning to this question of an independent inquiry into flooding for a second time in just over a month, and I make no apologies for that. After the devastating floods in February 2020 and the flash floods that followed on later in the year, there are still homes in Rhondda Cynon Taf where people are waiting for them to be restored. Aside from some of the more concerning land movements, the Rhondda was largely, thankfully, unaffected by the heavy rain last week, but I know that many other people in other parts of RCT were not as lucky, and my heart goes out to each and every single person who has been affected by flooding across Wales and beyond. All of this demonstrates that our country is vulnerable to flooding. It also demonstrates that the current system is not protecting our citizens or our communities. We are in a climate crisis. There is now a greater likelihood of extreme weather patterns becoming more regular. We don't know how this worse weather will combine with our coal tips and our underground mine workings, and we need to know, and we need to know that urgently.

When we last debated this, I didn't get answers to my questions, and so this time I'll keep it simple. I have one question for the Government. If Labour MPs from Rhondda Cynon Taf are calling for an inquiry into flooding in England, how can you oppose one here in Wales when you have the power to instigate one? Help me and the thousands of people who signed a petition calling for this independent flood inquiry to understand your reasoning in this. We know from Labour's leaked internal document that you understand that your approach to dealing with flood risk has not been good enough. The manifesto consultation document recognises the, and I quote, 'need for investment and policy change to build greater resilience to intense weather events of the kind we have seen in 2020.' This chimes with the advice from insurers, who urge the Welsh Government to spend more on building and maintaining flood defences, increase the use of flood resilience measures within properties, and change the planning system to prevent developments in flood-risk areas.

Tree planting has to be a key component in flood prevention. People in the Rhondda understand only too well that tree felling has had an impact. They believe that the felling of trees and the failure to remove the brash and the debris is why their homes were flooded. Replanting these trees would help tackle climate change, protect biodiversity and protect people from flooding, and there's no argument about how important tree planting is. Yet this Government's dismal record on meeting its own targets for tree planting is asking for trouble. Your target to plant 5,000 hectares of new woodland every year until 2030 was dropped to 2,000 hectares. Even this less ambitious target could not be met. In recent years, you've averaged around 300 hectares a year, and, in the 12 months up to March of last year, the effort was even worse, at 80 hectares planted. This is abysmal. 

We cannot ignore the impact of our industrial past on flooding. Last week's events in Skewen showed how we are still paying the price for heavy industry long after the profits and the jobs have gone. The same can be said about the fear felt in our communities every time one of our coal tips moves. Right across Wales, we have former mines, ironworks and other remnants of heavy industry that have to be taken into account when addressing the impact of flooding and futureproofing our communities. But who is looking at all of this in a joined-up way, and who is listening to the people who are affected by all of this? 

These are all things that can be analysed and further looked at in an independent public inquiry. We have to have an independent inquiry to look at what went wrong, to understand who is accountable and, most importantly, to see what needs to be done to put things right in RCT and elsewhere. Please reject both of the 'delete all' amendments. Join Plaid Cymru and the many thousands of people in Rhondda Cynon Taf who have called for an independent inquiry into last year's flooding. They really deserve it. 

Thank you. I have selected two amendments to the motion. If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be deselected. I call on Janet Finch-Saunders to move amendment 1, tabled in the name of Darren Millar. 

Amendment 1—Darren Millar

Delete all and replace with: 

To propose that the Senedd:

Calls on the Welsh Government to protect communities in Rhondda Cynon Taf and across Wales from flooding, by:

a) establishing a Welsh flood agency to co-ordinate flood risk management and the response to flooding events;

b) designating blue belts to restrict unnecessary development in areas of significant flood risk;

c) increasing investment in flood defences and flood risk management;

d) facilitating independent inquiries into significant flooding events to ensure learning;

e) ensuring that funding is immediately available to councils, emergency services and Natural Resources Wales to get through the initial clean-up stage effectively; and

f) working with the insurance industry to ensure that homes and businesses can access affordable flood-related insurance.

Amendment 1 moved.

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and, yes, I would like to move those amendments. I would also like to pay tribute to all emergency services, our local authorities and Natural Resources Wales, who were out just last week assisting our residents as a result of storm Christoph. Our hearts must go out to all those affected. However, we should all offer more not only to the people of Rhondda Cynon Taf, but all of Wales, because so many constituencies now on a regular basis are seeing their areas devastated. And I would like to thank members of the community, because, when these situations arise, they go out all hours, early hours and everything, helping. 

Now, step one, we need to ensure that funding is immediately available to get residents through the initial clean-up stage. Lessons have to be learnt from the past. The £500 and £1,000 grants are welcome, but a guarantee is needed that this will be with affected residents immediately, and, you know, 'immediately' to the Welsh Government can sometimes be four to six weeks, and it is simply too long. The Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee's short inquiry into your response to the February flooding unearthed serious problems. You advised committee that you would take away old funding barriers to enable local authorities to deliver schemes. Caerphilly, Monmouthshire and Rhondda Cynon Taf provided clear evidence to the contrary. Even the WLGA warned that authorities are a long way away from being fully prepared and resilient. So, how will you take away funding barriers this time, and empower local authorities to implement schemes quickly?

Now, there is an urgent need to look at NRW. The organisation was going into battle already wounded. Up to 70 additional staff are needed to sustain the overall service at the levels described by the actions and the improvements in the 'February 2020 Floods in Wales: Flood Incident Management Review' report. NRW has employed only half of what is needed. In fact, of the 2,000 staff at NRW, only around 300 have some responsibility for flooding. We need a team that is 100 per cent focused on flooding. Wales should have a Welsh flood agency to co-ordinate flood risk management and the response to flooding events. This would help mitigate unjustifiable errors by NRW. There is a need to designate blue belts to restrict unnecessary developments in areas of significant flood risk. I've listened to residents from Bangor-on-Dee explaining how the number of homes has doubled from 200 to 550 affected.

And finally, that community of Rhondda Cynon Taf, the Conwy valley, and all across Wales subjected to significant flooding, each deserve independent inquiries. I have been making these calls since 2019. The Welsh Conservative plan for decisive action is one you should all support. Thank you.

Thank you. Can I call on the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs to formally move amendment 2, tabled in the name of Rebecca Evans?

Amendment 2—Rebecca Evans

Delete all and replace with:

To propose the Senedd:

1. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) commend the work of the emergency responders, flood risk management authorities and all those who helped in the response to intense flooding events in 2020 and 2021 in Rhondda Cynon Taf and across Wales;

b) ensure all independent flood investigations are subject to scrutiny by the public and independent experts so the full facts are available and can be acted upon;

c) continue to support our Risk Management Authorities in Rhondda Cynon Taf and across Wales to ensure defences remain operational and help those homeowners who have been affected by the impacts of flooding whilst coping with the coronavirus pandemic; and

d) support the measures in our new National Strategy for flood and coastal risk to ensure we increase the resilience of our communities to the increasingly severe risks from the changing climate.

Amendment 2 moved.

Formally.

Flooding can be devastating enough when it happens once to a community—the clean-up, the high costs, the insurance companies who often find loopholes and too often refuse to pay—but another aspect I'd like to draw attention to is the psychological effects that flooding wreaks on those affected by it. In February last year, the residents of Edward Street in Ystrad Mynach were woken in the middle of the night by a neighbour who'd noticed the waters rising. Many of their cars were already ruined. Half an hour later, the water had got into their homes. I visited the residents that week, and I've been back a few times since, and I can tell you that it isn't just anger or frustration that some of the residents feel; it's fear. Every time it rains heavily, every time they're woken in the night by rain on the roof, the worry sets in: 'What if it happens again?'

Last February, I wrote to the Deputy Minister for social services to ask whether counselling support for children affected by the flooding could be made available. Of course, shortly thereafter, the pandemic took hold and usual school routines were disrupted, but in the midst of COVID, I'd like us all to remember that residents affected by those February floods had to stay at home in those houses where they didn't feel safe. That takes a toll on adults and children alike. So, when we talk about the need for improved mental health provisions in response to COVID—a move I support wholeheartedly—let's also please remember that there are many effects of the flooding that still lurk in the background too.

I welcome the fact that we're having this debate. I'd add to our motion. I'd call for a fundamental reassessment from the Government of how it doesn't just respond to flooding, but seeks to prevent it, to learn lessons. Those residents in Ystrad Mynach raised concerns with the council on numerous occasions, but they went unheeded. Flood defences that could have protected their homes weren't in place in time. Sand bags were given out instead of making sure that drains were unblocked. Dirprwy Lywydd, their story is indicative of stories in streets across Wales, streets that have been flooded before and that are, frankly, full of residents terrified that it could happen again every time it rains. So, I'd support the calls for an inquiry and I'd further urge the Government to remember the need for counselling. That hasn't gone away.

I'm pleased to participate in this debate, as we approach the first anniversary of the flooding that my constituency was very badly affected by. I visited at the time the affected areas with local councillors and the First Minister, and we met with families whose homes were devastated by the flooding, and I've continued to meet with them on a regular basis.

Now, there has been a considerable amount of work that has been done since then, but there is still much to be done. The estimated cost of infrastructure damage for Rhondda Cynon Taf alone is estimated at in excess of £70 million. The promise of financial support from the UK Government has still not been fully honoured; we've had to drag them kicking and screaming to get the first instalment of £31 million from them, and we still face uncertainty over the remainder. And I have to say, we've had absolutely no help from the Welsh Conservatives when it comes to getting full payment of what was promised.

There has been considerable work done by the council, Natural Resources Wales and Welsh Water: culverts have been cleared and repaired, collapsed drains repaired, drains cleared, damaged road infrastructure repaired, flood defences assessed and repaired, and pumps replaced. There are major works, I know, planned in my constituency in respect of damaged bridges in Trallwn and Treforest, and this work, I know, is going to continue throughout the year. But that is why the promised funding from the UK Government is so important. Of major importance is the ongoing work assessing flood risk in the broader Taff Ely area to assess the overall adequacy of existing flood defences and the alleviation measures. So, I and my colleagues will continue to monitor the ongoing work and the plans and ensure that the flood-affected areas are certainly never going to be forgotten.

The damage that occurs when an area is flooded, as has been said, is not just physical, it is the mental scarring: the impact on the elderly and the children and the heightened anxiety that occurs whenever there is a flood warning posted. So, tackling mental well-being in the community, I think, is as important as repairing the physical damage, which is why I raised this with the local health board to ensure that all the mental health support that is necessary is available.

So, as well as the NRW report, which has been published, we're now awaiting eight flood investigation reports, prepared in preparation in accordance with section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. I've been informed that these are expected imminently. There are another 11 reports for the other parts of Rhondda Cynon Taf, which are being prepared. And I've been involved in preparing my own inquiry report, along with my local MP Alex Davies-Jones, as a product of something like 30 meetings that we've had. On the issue of an inquiry, I'd like to say this: there are already all these inquiries under way, and it is vitally important that they are completed and we are able to evaluate their conclusions. Yet another inquiry set up under the Inquiries Act 2005 will not add anything to what we already know and what we will find out from those section 19 reports. There is a time and a place for public inquiries and, well intentioned as the request is, just now is not the moment. Setting up an inquiry under the terms of the Act would have the effect of delaying or preventing much needed work being carried out. And I know from my own personal experience that it would take at least 12 months, and in all likelihood 18 to 24 months, minimum, to complete its work, as well as the setting up time. So, I much prefer actually getting on with the work. In the light of all the inquiries already under way and nearing completion— 

The Member will have to draw his remarks to a conclusion, please.

—setting up a statutory inquiry would be an obstacle to real progress. Dirprwy Lywydd, I'm not prepared to see the urgent work that is ongoing being delayed in this way. Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd.

I am, of course, going to support the motion. The motion would have been very different, I'm sure, had it not been tabled before the flooding that we've seen in recent days, but it is an opportunity to look at the responses that are required. Of course, I did call for financial support for those affected over the last week, and I'm very pleased that the Government has committed to the same level of support for those affected this time as was provided last year. But there are lessons to be learned from that too, as we've already heard.

It's important that the delays we saw in getting those payments out last time aren't repeated. It's not acceptable that it took up to two months for those people who had been affected to receive the support, because they need that support now. It's now that they're losing their salaries and it's now that they need to respond to the mess and destruction in their homes and businesses.

They also need practical assistance in terms of improving the resilience of their homes immediately, because many, of course, fear similar things happening in the next few weeks, and it's not just those who've been impacted but those who were almost affected too, because we are talking here about things like flood gates, which could prevent damage to homes that came within a hair's breadth of being damaged last time. We need a plan in place that can respond in order to provide that immediately. 

We need to strengthen as a matter of urgency the infrastructure that has failed over the past few days. I know in Rhuthin that local residents are very concerned that neither the council nor Natural Resources Wales, nor anyone else, has actually strengthened the bund that failed last week. So, we do need to provide people with peace of mind by resolving those problems, but also ensure that this doesn't happen again in the short term whilst the long-term solutions are also implemented.

Yes, we need to continue to invest in hard infrastructure, but we need better soft infrastructure too. This is a theme we return to regularly: natural flood management; more flood plains; more trees planted, as we heard in the opening remarks; dealing with culverts and so on. The Government has been talking about this for years. We haven't seen the interventions at the level that we would have expected or would've hoped to have seen. We need the capacity for NRW, in terms of staffing, and we need to improve flood maps, which are very often nothing more than a finger in the air. So, there's a great deal that can be done and I would take this opportunity in this debate to encourage the Government to take action on all of those issues.

For those who experience flooding the psychological impact is devastating, and these are effects that we can see clearly in our communities when we meet with and talk to those affected. The power of mother nature to cause devastating floods is nothing new, yet there is no doubt that as climate change takes its grip the threat of increased flooding in our communities in future is a serious one, and one that governments at all levels must come together to tackle head on. 

When homes and businesses are flooded, it's important that the relevant authorities do all they can to help and pick up the pieces. When parts of my constituency were very badly affected by storm Dennis back in February last year, I visited many of those affected along with the environment Minister, Lesley Griffiths, and also saw at first hand how Rhondda Cynon Taf staff worked around the clock before, during and after the storm to help local people—an important point recognised in the first part of the Government's amendment. I want to place on record my thanks to all of those who helped.

It is important that we learn what happened, where and why flooding occurred, and what we need to do in future to mitigate its impact. We must recognise also that RCT council has, or is in the process of carrying out, 28 different inquiries into the flooding last year, in addition to NRW's work. There must be the opportunity for these processes to conclude rather than just restarting the process, launching a new inquiry that covers old ground when our public services are under so much pressure and going above and beyond.

But, waiting for inquiries to report back on their findings doesn't, of course, mean that we do nothing. Instead, it means that practical interventions can be, and are being, made now. For example, some of the long-term solutions that recognise the topography of the Valleys and the large number of culverts can be put in place to mitigate the impact of heavy rain, surface run-off and engorged water channels. 

I visited one scheme in Trecynon, again with the environment Minister, last August, where an attenuation pond had been established, bypassing a flood-prone culvert and establishing a new habitat in the process. This was funded out of over £0.5 million given to RCT council to work on repairs and remediation of flood-alleviation assets by the Welsh Government; more money for other schemes has also been allocated since. I welcome this long-term approach from the Welsh Government, in close collaboration with forward-thinking local authorities. Other works carried out by RCT council using Welsh Government funding include interventions in Cwmbach to prevent flooding that has long plagued local businesses there. These are all locally owned, employing local people and contributing to the foundational economy.

When I met constituents who'd been affected by flooding and spoke of the difficulties getting insurance, I was able to inform them of the Government-supported Flood Re scheme. More work should be undertaken to raise awareness of this, and I would like to see the scheme extended so that businesses can benefit from support towards their increased insurance costs too.

Finally, I would like to formally record my thanks to the Moondance Foundation and the Coalfields Regeneration Trust for their help in financing and administrating the Cynon valley flood fund that I established with Beth Winter to support local people whose lives have been turned upside down by flooding.

Can I call the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths?

Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. I'm pleased to be responding to today's debate. The last 12 months have been extremely challenging, in terms of impact on our communities of multiple flood events across Wales and, of course, the global pandemic.

Last week we once again witnessed the damage flooding can cause, as a result of storm Christoph, with around 250 properties flooded. I'd like to offer my sympathy to all those who were affected, many of whom are still not able to return to their homes. I also want to thank all involved in the response and the recovery efforts to flood events, not only last week, but throughout this last year, as we approach the first anniversary of the February floods, which we are having the debate on today. Without the swift action of Natural Resources Wales, local authorities, our emergency services, water companies and the Coal Authority, I am certain we would have seen many more homes flooded. We must also acknowledge how our network of defences protected thousands of properties and the importance of our ongoing investment to keep these structures well maintained.

Of course, for those people whose homes were flooded, responding to flood events is not just about the day of the incident or the few days following, but also the weeks and months afterwards. Our efforts must continue to ensure such events are investigated, people are supported, and improvements are made to our infrastructure and defences as well as the wider management of water. Following the flooding last February, authorities worked quickly to support residents who had seen their homes flooded and to repair damaged flood risk management assets. I know in Pentre in the Rhondda, for example, the local authority have already implemented a scheme to improve the water course in response to my challenge to risk management authorities to accelerate the delivery of work.

Following flood events, local authorities are required to prepare a section 19 investigation report to look at the reasons for flooding, and bring forward recommendations to reduce future risk. Once completed, these reports are published and subject to scrutiny by residents, elected members and all interested parties. These investigations were heavily impacted by COVID-19 restrictions last year, and some of the hardest hit local authorities needed to prioritise repair and recovery works over investigations. However, I am confident in our local authority staff and their commitment to the safety and well-being of the communities they serve to complete these reports and act upon them where appropriate.

Last month, I responded in detail in the Senedd to the question of an independent inquiry. I announced additional £95,000 revenue support available to each local authority this year to support their flood risk activities, and specifically to help produce and publish their investigation reports. NRW carried out their own internal review following the flooding in February, which complements the section 19 reports and provides recommendations for their improvement around forecasting, warning and response.

In answer to Janet Finch-Saunders about what we're doing to support our risk management authorities, I continue to support them around the country to repair damaged flood assets and ensure they rebuild resilience for the future. Following the storms last February, we acted quickly and decisively in our response to make necessary repairs and improvements. I provided all risk management authorities the opportunity to apply for financial support to undertake emergency repairs to assets, providing 100 per cent funding for this. Welsh Government has provided a total of £4.6 million since then. I was also very pleased to hear her praise for NRW staff—not usually something she does—and I can tell her I was in Bangor-on-Dee on Saturday, and I spoke to several residents whose praise was for the fact it was the highest that the river has been for probably about 20 years and the flood defence was not breached.

We do have a blue belt policy already, and it's about to be toughened through technical advice note 15 and planning policy. That's set out in our new flood strategy. We're also working with local authorities and NRW to fully understand the impact from last week's storm Christoph and how we can best support them. This Government has committed to providing support payments, through local authorities, of up to £1,000 to those who have recently been affected by flooding in their homes or who have unfortunately had to evacuate for more than 24 hours. I just referred to our new national flood strategy—and coastal erosion risk management. I published that last October. It's an ambitious strategy and it does reaffirm the importance we place on flood risk management, along with the growing threat of climate change. We are continuing to work with our risk management authorities and the Association of British Insurers, who are supportive of the approach and additional measures set out in the new strategy.

We know that climate change will bring rising sea levels and more intense storms in the future, and I do recognise Wales faces tough decisions on how to defend low-lying coastal areas and fluvial floodplains, in particular along our estuaries and, of course, in our steep-sided valleys. Our new strategy sets out how Wales will respond to these challenges, emphasising the importance of clear communication on risk, and strengthens our stance in areas including natural flood management, coastal adaptation, planning and prevention, linking with Welsh legislation and other policy areas to ensure a collective approach. Whilst we look to the future, we need to remember the recovery efforts are continuing in places like Skewen, where we saw extraordinary scenes last week. I would like to finish by once again thanking everyone involved in helping to make sure people are safe. Diolch.

I call Leanne Wood to reply to the debate.

We are all eagerly awaiting the outcome of the section 19 process, and that is imminent, but the council are leading on that, and, obviously, the council had a role to play, and have a future role to play, so that is why this process can't be independent. We in Plaid Cymru, and every single one of the people who were flooded who we surveyed, have said that only an independent inquiry will be enough. Unless we have an independent inquiry, I don't think we're going to get the answers that we need. And this isn't about the staff; we all know that staff in all the organisations involved have worked really hard in supporting communities through this. This is bigger than the staff. We cannot accept that now is not the time, and I do not accept that an independent inquiry will hold up other work. That is why we've put this motion today; that is why, if you want to support people who have been flooded in Rhondda Cynon Taf, you will vote to support this motion today, unamended, you will not support the 'delete all' amendments, and you will back the independent inquiry that people in this area really deserve.

The proposal is to agree the motion without amendment. Does any Member object? [Objection.] I see objections. Therefore, we will vote on this item at voting time. 

Voting deferred until voting time.

In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, I will suspend the meeting before proceeding to voting time. So, the meeting stands suspended.

Plenary was suspended at 17:23.

The Senedd reconvened at 17:28, with the Llywydd in the Chair.