Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife has slammed the SNP Scottish Government for not taking positive action to help Councils across Scotland bring forward resources to develop vital flood defence schemes. Last year Liz Smith MSP revealed that SNP Scottish Government had not provide a penny to Perth & Kinross Council to help cover the costs of the recent emergency Comrie flooding defence interventions. Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife said: “Many homes and businesses across Perthshire, Kinross-shire and Fife have faced the threat of flooding in the past and sadly due to limited investment to-date in flood defence continue to face the threat from flooding. “I have seen at first hand the devastation which flooding brings to families, businesses, and communities and the costs faced to recover and rebuild after a flood. “It is simply not fair to expect Council’s across Scotland to meet the total costs of the flood prevention schemes such as the works undertaken following the flooding in Comrie. “No-one denies that paying for effective flood defence projects requires major financial commitment. What we keep hearing from SNP Ministers is that it is the responsibility of local Councils which have had their budgets frozen by the same SNP Scottish Government since 2007. “Given the considerable costs associated with flood defence schemes Scottish Councils are simply not bringing them forward. “The SNP is set to spend more taxpayers money promoting their pet project if independence than on helping to resources vital flood defence schemes in Perth & Kinross. “Scottish Conservatives will be raising the issue in the Scottish Parliament this coming year and I hope that SNP Ministers will look to seriously engage with those Scottish Councils which need additional resources to develop vital flood defence schemes. ENDS