§ Mrs. HumbleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide financial assistance to South Lakeland District Council under the Bellwin scheme for costs incurred following the severe flooding over 5 and 6 January. [85311]
§ Mr. MealeI am satisfied that financial assistance under the Bellwin scheme is justified in the case of South Lakeland District Council given the exceptional nature of the floods and the damage caused. A scheme will, therefore, be established under section 155 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Grant will be paid to the authority to cover 85 per cent. of the eligible costs above a threshold which have been incurred by the authority in dealing with the flooding.