Rutland Launches Local Flood Relief Scheme After Missing Out on National Support
Residents of Rutland affected by the recent storms Babet and Henk will receive financial assistance from a locally funded scheme launched by the Rutland County Council, after the area missed out on national flood relief due to an "arbitrary" threshold.
National Scheme Ineligible:
Following widespread flooding across the UK, the government announced a national flood relief scheme, but Rutland fell short of the requirement of having more than 50 homes flooded internally. This decision left many residents facing the aftermath without national support.
Local Support Steps In:
Recognising the need for assistance, the Rutland County Council stepped in to launch its own relief scheme. The scheme offers a 100% Council Tax discount for up to three months to families forced to leave their homes due to the flooding.
Eligibility:
The affected property must be the main residence of the applicant.
Flooding must have occurred internally between specific dates for each storm.
The property must have been unliveable for more than 48 hours.
Second homes, empty properties, and holiday lets are not eligible.
Applying for Assistance:
Households already identified as affected by Storm Henk are being contacted directly. Others can apply by submitting information and evidence to the Council by March 15th, 2024.
Councillor Andrew Johnson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, expressed frustration with the national scheme's criteria. He called it "clearly wrong" and emphasized the importance of treating all areas equally in such situations. He affirmed the Council's commitment to supporting affected residents through the locally funded scheme.
This initiative highlights the importance of local authorities stepping up when national support falls short. For Rutland residents struggling to recover from the floods, this scheme offers a much-needed helping hand.
