§ Sir Anthony MeyerTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what help will be available to Towyn and the flood-affected areas to renovate their homes to a proper standard.
§ Mr. David HuntOwners of homes damaged by the floods will be eligible for up to 100 per cent. grants for approved expenditure subject to the test of resources under the new grant scheme to be introduced in seven weeks' time.
The test of resources for owner-occupiers will be similar to that for housing benefit.
Savings of £5,000 or less will be completely disregarded. Over £5,000 every £250 of savings will be treated as if it were £1 income. There will be no upper limit on capital or savings.
Below a certain income an owner will qualify for 100 per cent. grant on eligible works. The threshold will depend on individual family circumstances—for example a couple with two children would have a different threshold from a single person. In every case this income threshold will be £20 per week higher than housing benefit levels.
298WWhere income exceeds the threshold, 20p in the pound of that excess will be regarded as available to help finance the works through a notional loan. The amount of grant will be the excess of the cost of works over the notional loan.
My Department has been holding discussions with Colwyn borough council to assist it in ensuring that the preparatory work is done now to enable applications to be processed and work to be undertaken immediately the scheme takes effect after 1 July 1990.