THE Wee County is set to receive £85,000 in funding that will help it tackle flooding within communities.

Last week First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a 10-year strategy to protect homes in many of Scotland's most flood-prone areas.

The plan is the result of grant funding totalling £420million and follows an agreement reached between the Scottish Government and COSLA.

Locally, the money will help Clackmannanshire Council to complete studies looking at how to tackle flood risk within the county. 

Over the past few years, officials have been engaging with SEPA, Scottish Water and neighbouring local authorities, in particular Stirling Council, to develop a Local Flood Risk Management Plan, which was published in June.

It is hoped the plans will be delivered over the next six years.

A spokesperson at Kilncraigs said: "The council is collaborating with Scottish Water to develop local integrated catchment studies, which will investigate and analyse impact of surface water flood risk in most of our built-up areas. 

"These studies will identify weak points in our drainage systems and indicate areas of work that may be required to improve our ability to cope with urban flood events. The council will also be preparing flood risk studies for Tillicoultry, Menstrie and parts of Alloa. 

"The investment announced by Scottish Government will allow us to complete these studies, to identify how best to tackle flood risk in these areas and to implement a programme of infrastructure or other improvements.

"The outcomes of the Local Flood Risk Management Plan will build on the work that the council has undertaken over the last 10 years to minimise the flood risk in Clackmannanshire in light of the apparently increasing incidences of high and intense rainfall. 

"The council will continue to deliver its flood risk management duties including the monitoring and maintenance of watercourses and other key drainage systems to reduce flood risk in our urban areas."

The funding announced by the government will be used to deliver 40 new flood protection projects and support Local Flood Risk Management Plans.

More than 130 flood protection studies will be carried out to help find potential solutions for another 26,000 residential properties currently at risk.

The news has been welcomed by Keith Brown, MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, who said: "Earlier this year, we saw the devastating effects flooding can have on local communities – and this new strategy will help protect households across Clackmannanshire from the impact of future adverse weather. 

"Investment in flood protection schemes and associated infrastructure is critical to protecting vulnerable householders, businesses and communities – and I am delighted to see the SNP in government working in partnership with local government on this important issue. 

"The plan set out by the first minister will give Clackmannanshire Council assistance to deliver the actions set out in their Local Flood Risk Management Plans to help protect individuals, business and communities from the danger of flooding."