Government allocate £200k to Lichfield District Council as part of flood support package
| Published: 23rd July 2007 09:23 |
Floods Recovery Minister John Healey today announced which of the local authorities worst affected by the floods will receive further payments from the Government's flood recovery support package.
The money will reach authorities as soon as possible next week. This means it will help local authorities make a quick and real difference to the lives of those people in the greatest need.
32 authorities will receive money. For 27 authorities this represents a second payment - last week £8million was distributed to 34 authorities. As before the funding has been allocated to support councils and communities based on the relative number of households affected.
Today's announcement means the full £10million immediate flood recovery package announced by the Prime Minister on 7 July has now been released.
For those flood-hit authorities not receiving payments through this package, subject to eligibility, other support may be available for schools and transport as well as enhanced support through the Bellwin scheme. This will be paid once councils and Government have a clearer assessment of the full costs incurred.
Local authorities will decide how best to spend the money allocated today in their communities. Money distributed last week is already helping those people in the greatest need. For example:
* Kingston upon Hull has established a Hull Flood Fund where it is using money from Government and donations from local businesses and residents to relieve the hardship of the worst affected. The individual needs of over 1,000 households are being assessed and the most vulnerable are receiving a tailored support package - including new white goods like fridges, cash grants and help with cleaning up properties. They are assessed individually and the most vulnerable and needy sections of the community will be given priority irrespective of whether they have insurance.
* Doncaster Council is providing people with essential items they need to get back into their homes such as furniture and white goods. The money is also being put towards a temporary accommodation park in Toll Bar to keep the community together while their homes are unsuitable to live in.
* Rotherham MBC has added £250,000 to the central Government support payment. This will enable people in nearly 400 properties to receive a humanitarian grant aid payment of £750, providing valuable aid and support to people at a time when they are most vulnerable. Every household, whether privately or council owned, where flood damage was sustained above floorboard level in the living area is to receive a single, one-off payment of £750, irrespective of whether they have their own insurance arrangements.
* North Lincolnshire Council is giving 'disruption' cash to residents whose homes were damaged and North East Lincolnshire Council is giving families cash payments to help them start fixing their homes. Interim payments are being handed out at civic offices.
* North East Derbyshire District Council is inviting residents to apply for a share of the money to help meet the cost of replacing damaged goods and repairs. The level of support for each household will depend on the amount of damage to property and belongings and the number of households applying for support.
John Healey MP said:
"My top priority is to help life in flood-hit communities get back to normal as quickly as possible. So I am pleased we have been able to confirm these payments to local authorities so quickly to help people in the greatest need.
"I know that the money I released last week is already being used by local authorities to make a real difference on the ground - for example providing help in replacing essential household items or keeping communities together while their homes are being repaired.
"Over the last couple of weeks there has been a huge amount of work across Government to support the local recovery operation. We have announced a range of financial support - including funding for schools and transport as well as extra support through the special Bellwin scheme.
"Whilst we can't turn this around overnight, I want reassure residents that the Government is in this for the long-haul.
"We will continue to work closely with local authorities over the coming days and weeks to get a clear assessment of the scale of costs and ensure further targeted help reaches the worst hit communities as soon as possible."
Lichfield District Council will recieve two payments of £100,000 each as part of the flood support package.
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