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| Photo: Cat Smith |
The Government has announced details of a Flood Resilience Grant Scheme to help householders and businesses make their properties more resistant to future floods.
Under the scheme, householders and businesses affected by Storms Desmond and Eva can apply for grants of up to £5,000 to help make their homes more resilient to flooding in the future.
The grants, administered by local district councils, are intended to help homeowners and businesses put in measures which improve the property’s resilience or resistance to flooding, over and above repairs that would normally be covered by insurance.
Speaking about the funding, County Councillor Jennifer Mein said: “All of Lancashire’s affected councils have been working very hard with central government and other agencies to help homeowners and businesses to get back on their feet following the flooding. This new scheme should play a real part in reducing the impact of any future flooding.
“As well as the £500 payments to all affected households there are other sources of funding available for householders and businesses, and I’d like to urge people to make the most of them. Details of the funding, along with who runs each scheme, are available on our website. If you’re not sure if you’re eligible, just ask.”
“We are determined to support people and businesses affected by the recent severe weather so they can protect their homes against future floods,” said Northern Powerhouse minister James Wharton.
“This government has invested nearly £200 million following Storm Eva and Storm Desmond to help flood-affected communities get back on their feet.”
Every household flooded during the storms is eligible to receive £500 and district councils have now made the vast majority of those payments, with the remainder expected to be paid very soon.
Support is also available for businesses severely affected either directly or indirectly by the flooding to help them recover and get trading again as soon as possible.
This support for businesses is delivered through Boost Business Lancashire, the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership’s growth hub. Businesses who are unsure if they may be eligible or who need help with the process are urged to speak to a Boost Business Adviser. Details of this support are available from the Boost Business Lancashire website: www.boostbusinesslancashire.co.uk
Further help in the shape of local tax relief is available for residents and businesses whose properties have not been occupied due to the flooding, with details of the application process available from district councils.
• More details on how to apply for the Flood Resilience Grant Scheme are available from the relevant district council. More details on what the scheme covers are available under flooding advice at the Lancashire County Council website: www.lancashire.gov.uk
• Help is also in place for households in particular need, for example because they are not insured. People may be eligible to receive this additional funding from a local discretionary fund being administered by the Community Foundation for Lancashire. Details are available here www.lancsfloodappeal.org.uk
• Support is now available for farmers from a scheme administered by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Details are available at www.gov.uk/government/news/recovery-fund-for-flood-affected-farmers-opens