I thank the Minister again for her statement. We know that communities across Wales from the Conwy valley to Rhondda Cynon Taf have made abundantly clear, over the times that they've seen shocking flooding incidents, that they want to see independent inquiries undertaken. Indeed, a petition raised in 2020 called for an independent inquiry into the flooding in Rhondda Cynon Taf, and despite there being around 6,000 signatures, the Welsh Government have simply refused to co-operate. Similarly, calls for an inquiry into flooding in the Conwy valley have been blocked previously by this Welsh Labour Government. I can remind the Minister of me raising concerns about flooding incidents in the Conwy valley. From 2016, we had several serious flooding issues, and at the time, we were calling for independent inquiries to be undertaken. Much was given at that time about how well section 19 reports were actually helping to inform Welsh Government, local authorities and our communities about why these incidents kept repeating.

I think one of the things you still seem to recognise in your statement is that section 19 investigations are an integral part of Wales's flood risk management, but there's no statutory time frame for undertaking or completing section 19 investigations. I know from flooding in my own constituency—. I think one incident saw about 60 to 70 homes really devastated, and it can take up to two years for the results, the responses to those section 19s. So, I do hope, now that Professor Evans is reviewing section 19 reports, that one of the fundamentals to come out of that will be that that is far too long a time frame, and that these things should be as quickly turned round as possible.

Plaid Cymru have been vocal in their support of independent inquiries in both the Conwy valley and Rhondda, so it will be interesting to know what their views are now. The co-operation deal does not promise proper inquiries, only the independent review of the local government section 19s. Whilst I would be pleased if you could outline the terms of reference for the review, can you confirm that each section 19 report published following flooding in winter 2021 will be part of this review? I'm aware that the recommendations of that report have not been fully actioned and fulfilled as of yet. Do you agree that work on existing recommendations should continue whilst this review is taking place?

I was, of course, a member of the inquiry into the Welsh Government's response to the February 2020 flooding, and our report published in 2020 highlighted then that the level of revenue funding meant the authorities were a long way away from being fully prepared and resilient, and that's notwithstanding the unknown climate changes that we know will face us, but we don't know the extent. In fact, authorities receive the same level of revenue funding regardless of the flood risk within their area. So, I'd say to the Minister that we need to be doing this now where it counts. For example, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council received 4.54 per cent of the national revenue funding, despite having an estimated 21 per cent of the national surface water flood risk to manage. The committee and I were clear that the Welsh Government's approach to revenue allocation for flooding should take account of current and projected future flood risk in local authority areas.

I have a question for you, Minister. Last February you clarified that the allocation of future years' revenue based on current or future flood and/or coastal erosion risk is something you could consider. Have you decided to take projected flood risk into account? As the Climate Change, Environment, and Rural Affairs Committee explained in 2020, it is now more important than ever for the Welsh Government and its partners to have robust arrangements in place to respond to such events. But you know what my view is: we should be far more proactive and not be concentrating on reactive measures.

Some 2,298 properties in Wales, Llywydd, are at high risk of tidal flooding, 9,652 properties are at a high risk of river flooding, and 35,278 properties are at a high risk of surface flooding. In fact, there are currently over 245,000 properties, as I speak here today, at risk of flooding in Wales. With such a level of risk to manage, I do think our nation would benefit from having a body that is 100 per cent focused on flood mitigation. And rather than expect local authorities and NRW, which have diverse responsibilities, to lead on flooding—and, let's be honest, where NRW are concerned, they are seriously understaffed—do you agree that there is now some logic, Minister, in establishing a national flood agency? Thank you. Diolch.