John Stanley – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Stanley on 2014-04-28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will list the government departments and public authorities to which borough councils for areas where there is no unitary authority can apply for funding towards (a) their own costs in dealing with flooding and (b) the cost of flood protection schemes in their area, stating in each case the name of the funding scheme and the government department or public authority to which the application should be made.

Dan Rogerson

(a) There are a number of schemes where borough councils can apply for funding towards their own costs in dealing with flooding and these are listed below.

The Bellwin Scheme of emergency financial assistance (funding to help Local Authorities in the emergency phase of the flooding to protect lives or property) – through the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Funding for repair of damages to roads (hit by weather damage) – through the Department for Transport

The business support scheme (hardship funding for SME businesses in areas affected by the floods) – through the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

(b) Borough councils can also apply for funding towards the cost of flood protection schemes from Flood Defence Grant in Aid through the Environment Agency. Second tier local authorities including Borough Councils can apply for capital grants towards flood and coastal erosion risk management projects. Where there are two tiers of local government, local authorities should work together to decide which authority is best placed to lead in different circumstances.