Council releases details of Leeds flood resilience grant scheme

Details of Leeds City Council’s scheme to offer grants of up to £5,000 to help property owners directly impacted by Storm Eva protect against future flooding have been released today.

The council has set up a repair and renew grant scheme to support homeowners and businesses flooded over Christmas in carrying out work to improve flood resistance and resilience measures on their properties.

Information, guidance on how the scheme works and an application form can be seen via www.leeds.gov.uk/FloodingSupport or by calling 0113 222 4444 or emailing floodrelief@leeds.gov.uk.

The grants are available to properties where internal damage was caused by the Storm Eva flooding, with the funding able to be used towards the costs of buying and installing a range of measures to improve flood resistance and resilience. The grants will be payable to the person responsible for the fabric of the property, normally the property owner.

Retrospective funding is available for those directly impacted by the floods who have already carried out their own improvement measures. For successful applicants, £500 of the grant can be used for professional advice or property surveys carried out prior to making an application.

Grant scheme applications can be submitted any time up to March 31 2016, and the council will directly contact property owners where information has been supplied concerning internal flooding. If any property owners that have already supplied details to the council have not been contacted by January 25 please call 0113 222 4444 to discuss the position.

Any work supported by the grant scheme will need to be carried out by September 30 2016, with the council inspecting properties to ensure the measures have been installed appropriately.

Information about the scheme will also be available as part of the Flood Advisory Service roadshow and fair on Victoria Gardens from January 19-21, for more details visit www.leeds.gov.uk/FloodAdviceFair

Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Judith Blake said:

“This flood resilience and resistance scheme is the next phase of providing vital support to those affected by the terrible floods over Christmas.

“Our immediate financial support will hopefully help home and business owners get back on their feet, now this further funding will look to support them in making their properties more resistant to any floods in future.

“We are determined to do everything we can to help anyone affected by these floods, and in the longer term to stop this damage from happening again by ensuring Leeds receives the comprehensive flood defences it deserves.”

Details of the resilience grant scheme together with the immediate recovery funding available from Leeds City Council and further advice and guidance can be seen at www.leeds.gov.uk/FloodingSupport

The Leeds Community Foundation is also offering grants to those affected through its fundraising appeal. Further details can be seen at www.leedscf.org.uk.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:

Roger Boyde,

Leeds City Council communications,

Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk