§ Ms KeebleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide financial assistance to Cherwell District Council and Melton Borough Council under the Bellwin scheme for costs incurred following the severe flooding on the weekend of 9 to 12 April 1998. [64486]
§ Ms ArmstrongI am satisfied that financial assistance under the Bellwin scheme is justified in the case of Cherwell and Melton councils, given the exceptional nature of the floods and the damage caused. Schemes will, therefore, be established under section 155 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Grant will be paid to each authority to cover 85 per cent. of eligible costs above a threshold and which have been incurred by the authority in dealing with the flooding.