Across Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, flood defence schemes will not be supported by guaranteed central government money but instead North Lanarkshire Council will have to find cash from their general budgets.

This means flood prevention measures across Kilsyth and Cumbernauld will be competing for cash from the same pot as schools, antisocial behaviour or social work services.

Several areas in Kilsyth suffer from flooding problems, such as the Stirling Road area. Cathie Craigie MSP says that plans to reduce and prevent flooding are likely to lose out if forced to compete with schools and social work for vital cash.

Speaking about the move, Cathie Craigie MSP said:

"The decision to end ring-fencing of flood defence and prevention schemes shows the real lack of priority this SNP government attaches to flooding prevention."

"Flood prevention will have to compete with local schools and social work for vital cash from North Lanarkshire Council's general budgets and it is likely that householders will be the ones to suffer."

"I know too well from previous incidents in Kilsyth that flooding can have a devastating affect on families which is why guaranteed funding is vital."