Council still to claim floods relief payout

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, the MP for Wentworth, even offered the support of his officials in completing the claims process.

But despite this, not one application has been received from any of the 82 affected areas.

"This summer saw the worst flooding for over a century. It affected large parts of the country causing devastation and misery for thousands of people," 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 have 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 then the usual 85 per cent - once they have spent above the threshold of 0.2 per cent of their revenue budget.

The statutory requirement for the Bellwin scheme is that 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.

"So I am surprised that to date we have received no applications for interim payments from the authorities concerned." Mr Healey has now written to local authorities to reiterate the offer.

A Rotherham Council spokesman said: "We shall be submitting an interim claim shortly and a final bid for assistance under this scheme is being put together in time for January 14."

Sheffield Council has also not made a claim but a spokesman said: "Work is underway on our Bellwin application. It is a complex process and the application will go in as soon as work on it is complete."