13 June 2008
Six councils affected by winter flooding are being invited to claim extra money to help cushion the financial blow they experienced.
Local government minister John Healey this week announced that, through the Bellwin Scheme, the eligible authorities would be able to get back 85% of the costs they incurred when they were hit by floods in January. The Bellwin Scheme provides emergency financial assistance to local authorities in the event of a disaster.
Healey said: 'Just half a year on from last summer's floods, some areas were struck again by heavy rainfall. They were quick to anticipate and to respond to the situation — with sandbagging and water pumping, minimising the potential damage. This money will help reimburse these costs and will mean the local authorities are better placed to get on with the job of leading the community and providing quality local services.'
The minister also confirmed that councils would not have to meet the usual application threshold of 0.2% of calculated annual revenue budget. This was because they had already received Bellwin money in response to last summer's flooding and both events had occurred in the same financial year.
In an interview for a Public Finance/Zurich Municipal guide to risk management, Future imperfect, Healey warned: 'We will face serious floods in the future. That's why extra investment — topside of £2bn over the next three years on defences — is important.'
The six councils deemed eligible to apply for Bellwin funds are: Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council; Newark and Sherwood District Council; North Lincolnshire Council; Oxford City Council; Vale of White Horse District Council; and West Oxfordshire District Council.
A spokesman for Oxford City Council said: 'We will be applying for funds under the Bellwin Scheme for the January floods and we are pleased that the government has accepted we should not have to pass the threshold again. We would however prefer to get back 100% of the eligible costs we have incurred, so that our taxpayers do not have to fund these costs.
'We are finalising the total eligible costs incurred from the January floods and will be submitting this figure later this month.'
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