20.01.14
£6.7m funding available for flood-damaged councils
Local authorities affected by flooding will have the chance to bid for a further £6.7m of funding, the government has announced.
Recent extreme weather has led to significant amounts of flood damage, with repairs needed to housing, businesses and transport infrastructure. The costs of repairing flood defences are currently being assessed by Defra.
Half the £6.7m will be funded through the DCLG and allocated through normal funding mechanisms, while half will be available from the DfT for damaged infrastructure, subject to a bidding process.
Local government minister Brandon Lewis said: “I have been hugely impressed by the efforts of the emergency services, local authorities, voluntary organisations and communities through the recent severe weather and now we are helping areas to recover and see life return to normal.
“This extra £7m that can be used to help affected communities will provide local authorities and their partner agencies additional resources they need to support recovery.
“This will top up support councils can get under the Bellwin scheme to cover the costs of clearing up after severe weather and flooding, and the substantial funding councils already get for potholes.”
Cllr Mike Jones, chair of LGA's Environment and Housing Board, said: "We are pleased the Government has recognised the need to assist with the early part of flood recovery with this emergency funding. This is a promising initial first step, but given the high costs of the floods already identified councils will need further help to fully repair the damage caused by this extreme weather.
"We would also like to thank the minister for acknowledging the work of local authorities during the recent storms and their subsequent clean up. Councils will continue to work round the clock to ensure floods are responded to swiftly and effectively.”
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