Flood cash for victims

Council leader Steve Houghton is to recommend to the ruling cabinet that 250,000 - the whole of Barnsley's share of government flood relief funding - should be made available to those households affected.

Coun Houghton said today: "Everyone whose homes have been affected has suffered no matter what their financial circumstances, and I believe it is only fair that they should each get their equal share."

If his recommendation is approved later this month, 400 will go to each of the 638 homes that were flooded across the borough.

Some other local councils have been criticised because householders that were not insured have been given more financial help than those who were insured.

Barnsley Council has not yet given out any cash help - but it has spent more than 1million on extensive flood relief and recovery work.

Work has included a white goods scheme where the council has replaced damaged fridges, ovens and household furniture for those who needed them most.

The council has also financed a Council Tax exemption for affected properties, removed waste and soiled goods from all homes for free and organised free gas and safety checks for all properties.

The council has paid to furnish seven flats for bungalow residents who were made homeless, provided emergency accommodation and a temporary traveller site, repaired and cleaned parks and playing fields and organised welfare rights sessions.

The Communities and Local Government department recently announced a 10 million fund for all local authorities hit by the flooding. The money allocated was based on the proportional number of properties that had been flooded and Barnsley was awarded 250,000.

The money will now be shared out between all flooded homes throughout Barnsley.

If approved, as expected by the cabinet, application forms will be distributed by the council by the end of August.

The

South Yorkshire Flood Disaster Relief Fund is already giving 100 to each flooded home that applies for help.

Application forms can be downloaded from www.sycf.org.uk or call the central hotline for the flood relief fund on 01709 868000.