A FINANCIAL support package has been unveiled by Malvern Hills District Council to help residents, businesses and communities affected by the impact of Storm Dennis.

Councillors confirmed at a meeting yesterday (February 20) that £100,000 was being made available to support projects that help the long-term recovery of areas impacted by flooding.

This is on top of the district’s share of £250,000 made available from Worcestershire County Council’s Communities Fund to support similar schemes.

Details of funding from the Government for individual residents and businesses include:

•100% council tax discount for qualifying residents for at least three months

•100% business rates relief for qualifying businesses for at least three months

•£500 financial hardship payment

•£2,500 for small to medium sized businesses which have suffered uninsurable losses

•Up to £5,000 to help make properties more flood resilient in future

To apply, register at malvernhills.gov.uk/flood-support

It is estimated up to 200 properties and more than 100 businesses across the district were flooded. The majority are in the Tenbury Wells area.

District council staff have been in Tenbury all week helping support the clean-up including washing pavements and clearing away damaged electrical appliances, furniture and other items from flooded households and businesses.

An information hub, jointly staffed by Malvern Hills District Council, Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire Regulatory Services, has also been set-up at Tenbury Library to deal with any queries or issues people may have. Members of Malvern Hills District Council’s housing team are also supporting those who have been left homeless.

Chief Executive Jack Hegarty and Cllr Leader Sarah Rouse, also visited the town on Tuesday (February 18) to assess the situation and speak to residents, business owners and those volunteers supporting the recovery effort.

Staff have also been visiting affected properties in Severn Stoke, Kempsey and Powick. Support will also be available in Upton-upon-Severn once flood waters begin to go down. Currently river levels are expected to remain high for the next few days.

Waste collections have been taking place in most areas during the week. Crews will work over the weekend to catch up on any missed collections. Residents who were expecting a collection but are yet to have one are advised to leave their bin in the usual place and it will be collected as soon as possible.

Cllr Sarah Rouse, leader of Malvern Hills District Council, said: “Our hearts go out to all the residents and businesses who have been impacted by these devastating floods, which according to the Environment Agency, are like nothing we have experienced before.

“An unprecedented situation has though prompted an unprecedented response from, not just us, but all levels of local government, other partner agencies and the people of this district who have demonstrated such wonderful resilience and community spirit.

“I’d like to thank all our staff, the emergency services, Environment Agency, councillors, town and parish councils and local volunteers for their amazing efforts.

“We’re determined to work with all our flood affected communities to help them not only recover, but grow and prosper following this devastating event. The measures we have announced today are just the start of that process.”