Cash help plan is set out for flood-hit firms and housing
PEOPLE whose homes and businesses were hit by floods can now apply for financial help from Kirklees Council.
The council estimates 80 homes and 50 businesses in Kirklees suffered flooding in February’s storms.
The told the story of one business, Huddersfield Auctions at Colne Bridge, which was flooded for the second time since Boxing Day 2015, with damage set to total around £10,000 from the two floods.
Council leader Shabir Pandor said: “We thought the floods in 2015 were unprecedented but what we have seen over the past few weeks has been off the scale.
“The council’s response, almost as a fifth emergency service in times like these, is to work with community and voluntary sector organisations who do fantastic work, this shows we have resilient communities that pull together at times of crisis to help our most vulnerable.
“Now comes the next stage which is to make sure we help those who’ve suffered, which includes 80 residential properties and 50 businesses.
“We have not waited for the Government, but have acted swiftly to provide financial assistance to those who have been affected by these terrible weather conditions.
“Our package of measures, including grants and relief on council tax and business rates, will go some way to helping those who have suffered, recover from this situation.
“We will not stop there and will continue to lobby Government to ensure we have the right flood defences in place and ensure there is further financial assistance and grants when needed.”
The package includes a range of measures to support residents, businesses and community groups affected by Storm Ciara and any subsequent floods in 2020. The grant scheme will support:
The purchase or hire of generators, dehumidifiers, lighting, brushes, power sprays;
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.
A grant of £750 is being made 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 of 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 £3,000 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.
The council is also offering free bulky waste collections for residential properties affected by flooding.
The package of local support measures has been developed in accordance with the Government’s Flood Recovery Framework.
Homeowners and businesses affected can apply for the funding at www.kirklees.gov.uk/floodsupport