I've already said that it's estimated up to 70 additional staff are needed to sustain the overall service at the levels described by the actions and improvements in the 'February 2020 Floods in Wales' report. However, it is noted in the Climate Change Risk Assessment flooding in Wales report that the additional £1.25 million NRW received in revenue funding for 2020-21 was only used to employ 36 full-time equivalents, and that's half what is needed.

There are examples that NRW are not always on the ball. The vice-chairman of Magor with Undy Community Council, Councillor John Crook, highlighted last week how, despite asking NRW for a copy of a maintenance schedule with dates for clearing the reen, all they were provided with was a note saying what should be done generally. Is that good enough for a community that saw serious flooding last Christmas Eve? According to the Pentre section 19 report,

'the inlet had sufficient capacity to deal with the storm event, but its capacity was significantly reduced due to blockages which ultimately was the primary cause of flooding at Pentre during Storm Dennis.'

Both the asset and the extensive hillside above the community are managed by NRW. How many more errors need to be linked to NRW before the decisive action I am proposing is taken? 

Your 2021 budget committed £64.7 million to defend communities from flooding and coastal erosion, made up of £27.2 million resource and £37.5 million capital—most, in fact, was allocated to NRW. So, I remain concerned as to whether NRW are putting the millions that they receive to the best possible use. Last year, I highlighted the scandalous fact that, whilst NRW had quoted £150,000 to fix the Tan Lan embankment in Llanrwst, farmers had managed to do it for £15,000. So, there is a real need to question whether NRW investment in defending communities is actually costing more than it needs. 

When we are sure that flood defence projects are delivered in the most cost-effective way, we can be confident that, for every £1 increase in maintenance spending, almost £7 is saved in capital spending on defences. Importantly, a joint report published by ABI and Flood Re highlighted that an increase in current maintenance spending by 50 per cent could extend the lifespan of defences by an average of eight years. So, it does seem extremely sensible to do so.

According to the national strategy, landowners, partners and stakeholders have no other duties, other than a role to play as riparian landowners or asset owners. In addition to many individuals being unaware of their responsibilities, there are sections of ordinary watercourses where the owner of land is unknown, meaning that no riparian action is being taken. The situation is actually very dangerous, so I would be pleased if you would consider—and this is constructive opposition—ensuring that there is an ongoing campaign to improve riparian owners' awareness of their responsibilities. Please, put a system in place that identifies and assists riparian owners who are not fulfilling their duties, and often, when they become aware of these duties, are only too willing to do so.

As you will agree, flood risk must be considered at the earliest opportunity, not only to avoid inappropriate development, but also to enable the sustainable management of water. So, we should be acting on the calls of the ABI to amend building regulations in an effort to ensure an appropriate level of flood resilience is built into commercial and domestic properties as standard. According to the evidence for the third UK Climate Change Risk Assessment—CCRA3—report, the risks in Wales that have a high future magnitude score and where more action is required now include an increased severity and frequency of flooding of homes, communities and businesses. There is a collective chorus calling for more radical action on fighting floods. We know that we're receiving far more rainfall in a few hours now than we used to over several days. I hope that this Senedd will all work together now to deliver the changes needed; however, the levers, the power and the resources sit with you, Minister, so I would ask you to work with us across this Chamber and make these changes that are needed now. Thank you.