UNDER-SPEND INCREASES FLOOD RISK TO COMMUNITIES
| Published: 15th January 2008 12:42 |
UNDER-SPEND INCREASES FLOOD RISK TO COMMUNITIES
WELSH Conservatives today published figures highlighting a £7mn under-spend on measures to combat flooding in Wales.
Figures obtained by Shadow Environment Minister Darren Millar AM show that in the last five years the Environment Agency and local authorities spent £7.67mn less than available for flood defence measures.
Between 2002 and 2007 the Environment Agency under-spent by £1.73mn while councils under-spent by £5.94mn over the same period.
Figures obtained by the Welsh Conservatives relate to capital expenditure and come on top of money spent by the Welsh Assembly Government.
The details were published as homes and businesses cope with the aftermath of flooding in areas including Conwy, Gwynedd and Denbighshire this week.
Clwyd West AM Darren Millar said:
"I am absolutely appalled at this news. Homes and businesses across North Wales have been un-necessarily flooded this week because all the available money has not been spent.
"It is outrageous that such a large amount of money has not been invested in more flood defence measures.
"We have known for some time that many parts of Wales are at risk from flooding. With global warming, this risk is set to increase.
"It is unacceptable that local authorities and the Environment Agency have allowed such large amounts of money to remain unspent.
"Sound preparation and investment are the keys to minimising damage caused by flooding.
"Flooding is becoming a major issue for an increasing number of communities across Wales. It ruins livelihoods, disrupts lives, and damages the economy."
ENDS
- NOTE TO EDITORS
Details of the under-spend were contained in response to a written Assembly question from Shadow Environment Minister and Clwyd West AM Darren Millar.
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Will the Minister provide details of the total budgeted and actual capital expenditure by the Welsh Assembly Government on coastal and inland flood defences for each of the last 5 financial years. (WAQ50829)
Environment Minister Jane Davidson: Welsh Assembly Government flood and coastal defence budgets are used to support improvements works promoted by the Environment Agency and local authorities. For both these organisations the level of funding has increased and funding mechanisms have changed over the last five years.
The information on capital expenditure is provided on a Local Government and Environment Agency basis as follows:
Environment Agency | ||
2006-2007 2005-2006 2004-2005 2003-2004 2002-2003 |
Budget £11,934,000 £ 9,934,000 £ 3,768,000 £ 2,605,000 £ 3,286,000 |
Spend £11,934,000 £ 9,934,000 £ 3,713,000 £ 2,004,000 £ 2,210,000 |
Local Authorities | ||
2006-2007 2005-2006 2004-2005 2003-2004 2002-2003 |
Budget £5,800,000 £5,800,000 £3,945,000 £3,670,000 £3,808,000 |
Spend £4,996,000 £4,995,000 £3,025,000 £3,004,000 £1,062,512 |
For further information, contact /
Os am wybodaeth bellach, cysylltwch â:
Richard Hazlewood
Chief Press Officer / Prif Swyddog Y Wasg
Welsh Conservatives / Ceidwadwyr Cymreig
029 2089 8395
07957 133832
https://webmailcluster.1and1.co.uk/xml/deref?link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.welshconservatives.com%2F
