Mr. Michael J. FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide financial assistance to Worcester City Council under the Bellwin scheme for costs incurred following the severe flooding in the area between 27 October and 3 November 1998. [101102]
§ Ms Beverley HughesI am satisfied that financial assistance under the Bellwin scheme is justified in the case of Worcester City 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 has generally been paid to authorities at a rate of 85 per cent. of their eligible expenditure above a threshold. However, a Bellwin scheme was activated for Worcester as a result of the 1998 Easter floods. Since Worcester have already spent over their threshold for 1998–99 in dealing with that emergency, it seems reasonable that they should not have to do so in dealing with a second incident in the same financial year. I therefore propose to waive the threshold.
§ Mrs. OrganTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide financial assistance to Herefordshire District Council under the Bellwin scheme for costs incurred following the severe flooding in the area on three occasions during 1998–99. [101103]
§ Ms Beverley HughesI am satisfied that financial assistance under the Bellwin scheme is justified in the case of Herefordshire 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.