Flood households to get at least £200 each (From Malvern Gazette)

Flood households to get at least £200 each

4:53pm Wednesday 22nd August 2007 in News By Jack Davidson

MUCH-needed flood aid has been announced by Malvern Hills District Council to help affected areas "get back on their feet".

Every household that has experienced flooding in its living quarters will be entitled to a standard grant of £200.

Households without insurance cover and where a member receives income-related benefit will also receive an additional grant dependent on the need to replace damaged furniture or kitchen equipment. The money for both has come from a central Government packages totalling £20m across the country.

Grant application forms can be obtained through the local parish or town council and will be paid by cheque or direct into a bank account within two days of the claim being received.

If an additional grant is requested, council officers will make a visit to the address to access the extent of the need. Based on this understanding, a further payment will be made as quickly as possible.

Coun Serena Croad said: "I've got residents in my ward who have really suffered from the flash floods. Hopefully they will get the money quickly and buy things that otherwise they would have had to wait for."

Also available for flood victims is relief on council tax payments and buisness rates. The council tax relief is available for up to a year, where people have had to move out of the property. The business rate relief is available for up to three months when a business is closed as a result of flooding.

Coun Serena Croud added: "It is there for people to apply for, so please get in touch."

To find out whether they are eligible, applicants should contact the Worcestershire Hub on 01684 862151 or visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk.

Advantage West Midlands has also provided the council with £178,000 to be used for brightening up flood-hit Tenbury Wells and Upton upon Severn.

Emergency planning officer David Rolls said: "The money is on the table now, and we are looking at the best way to spend it."

The amount will go towards such issues as riverside cleanup and management, shopfront cleaning, footway clean up, street furniture, street lighting and road signs.

Mr Rolls explained that the key role for this money was to improve the infrastructure of the area as opposed to private property and individual businesses.

He added: "This is to revitalise and rejuvenate the area as a whole."