§ Mr. Derek FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide financial assistance to Wear Valley District Council under the Bellwin Scheme in respect of costs incurred following flooding in the district on the weekend of 3 and 4 June. [129913]
§ Ms Beverley HughesI am satisfied that financial assistance under the Bellwin scheme is justified in the case of Wear Valley District Council given the exceptional nature of the flooding 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 it has incurred in dealing with the flooding.