Ms Clare McGrath:

I will take the questions in order in which I think they were asked. I was asked about value for money.

It would be helpful for me if the committee could hear the length of time it takes to deliver a flood relief scheme. We have to go onto land belonging to other people who might not benefit from the scheme and we have to determine matters without full information. Sometimes, we have to wait until we are in the river to find out some of the issues that can arise. It is very unlike putting up a hoarding around a site. There is a long, complicated process to ensure that, when we do it, we do it right. It can take five to seven years to deliver a flood relief scheme. During the pre-feasibility phase, when we model and develop the scheme, we look in-house or externally to identify the source of the problem and the viable flood risk management measures that could potentially be provided for the area. As part of this, we have to collect data and hydraulic modelling. This can take 12 months. As part of it, we need to look beyond it in greater detail. With the national programme for all the areas and the six plans, we have potentially done up to 24 months of the work as part of this for the individual locations where we will progress to schemes. There has been an element of achieving additional value in terms of the economies of scale regarding the work that has been undertaken.

Regarding the SLAs and the engagement with local authorities, we have a prescribed system regarding what needs to be achieved to undertake minor works, and the local authorities commit to it. We have committed to doing random audits of it to ensure they are delivering from it. These are done through our regional structures, which are responsible for maintenance of arterial drainage schemes and urban schemes. Through our regional structure and what has been coming in from minor project proposals from local authorities, there is a gathering of information on what is and is not feasible. We have been doing this for some time. I accept that we need more formalised SLAs regarding local authorities, particularly where large works are to be undertaken. The local authorities are equally seized of the need to address the issues for local communities. It is about working together.