Flood relief support package to be debated at Kirklees Cabinet meeting
Cabinet will decide whether to make a package of financial support available to people affected by flooding at their meeting on the 25 February.
What does the report propose?
The report proposes a range of measures to support residents, businesses and community groups affected by Storm Ciara, Storm Dennis and any subsequent floods in 2020. The grant scheme will support:
- The purchase or hire of generators, dehumidifiers, lighting, brushes, power sprayers.
- Building and stock security
- Costs associated with getting IT and electricity up and running
- Essential fixtures and fittings
- Temporary accommodation costs
- Costs associated with specialist advice.
How much is the grant?
A grant of £750 will be available to any household where water has entered the main living areas of the property. It will also be available to residents who have not been able to live in their property because due to the impact of the floods on access, services or sewerage. Small and medium sized businesses and registered charities will be able to apply for a grant of £3000 where they have experienced flood damage to property or where access was severely restricted. Items normally covered by property insurance will not be eligible for support.
Households in receipt of the grant will also be considered for a 100% discount on their council tax for a minimum of three months, or until they are able to return home. Businesses will also be considered for a 100% business rate discount for up to three months or until the business is able to resume trading from the premises. The scheme will apply to businesses with a rateable value of less than £10m.
Free bulky waste collection
We are also offering free bulky waste collections for residential properties affected by flooding.
Local support measures
The package of local support measures has been developed in accordance with the Government’s Flood Recovery Framework.
Cllr Shabir Pandor, leader of the council said:
“Flooding has a devastating effect on people’s lives and livelihoods. Storm Ciara caused significant damage to properties in Kirklees; leaving people unable to live in their homes, and businesses unable to open. We’ve already had reports of flood damage from 47 homes and 19 businesses, and we expect more following Storm Dennis. To date central Government has not opened its emergency financial assistance scheme to properties in West Yorkshire. This means we need to do whatever we can to support those affected locally.
By opening up local support for the rest of 2020, should we be subjected to any more severe weather events, we will be in a position to act quickly. If at some point the central government position changes, we will seek to recover the costs from the central fund.”
When will the fund be available?
If approved by Cabinet, the fund will be available as soon as possible after the 25 February, full details of the application process will be available on our website.