Floods devastation cash goes unclaimed

The Bellwin Scheme, open to all local authorities affected by flooding in June and July, was set up to reimburse local authorities for some of the costs they incurred while dealing with the unexpected weather.

Floods Recovery Minister John Healey, MP for Wentworth in Rotherham, even offered the support of his officials in completing the claims process.

Yet not one application has been received from any of the 82 affected areas.

Barnsley was twice badly hit by the storms in June which saw some homes swamped under feet of water just two weeks after first being deluged.

In all 638 homes were affected by the floods, along with 80 businesses, two residential care homes and one learning group centre.

It is estimated the cost to Barnsley Council will be more than 1 million.

“This summer saw the worst flooding for over a century. It affected large parts of the country causing devastation and misery for thousands,” said Mr Healey.

“The emergency services, local authorities and other agencies responded to this magnificently - but clearly this comes at a cost.

“That is why we made it easier for local councils to claim back additional costs from the Government.”

The scheme’s normal claim period has been extended from two months to six and local authorities will be entitled to claim 100 per cent of spending - rather than the usual 85 per cent - once they have spent above the threshold of 0.2 per cent of their revenue budget.

A Barnsley Council spokesman said: “There has been a delay submitting the application because the rules were changed. But we have informed government officials that we will be making a claim and it will be submitted as soon as it is ready.”

The statutory requirement for the Bellwin scheme is claims must relate to costs incurred by an authority on, or in connection with, immediate action to safeguard life and property or to prevent suffering or severe inconvenience as a result of a disaster or emergency.

“Our overriding objective is to make payments fairly and as quickly as possible to the benefit of these communities who have already suffered so much,” said Mr Healey.