Cash tonic to help flood-hit families

Mar 3 2008 By Emma Cullwick

COUNCIL and fire service chiefs in flood-hit Worcestershire are to receive a slice of £2.5 million in funding to help them to get back on their feet.

Floods recovery minister John Healey has announced the extra funding after much of the county was brought to a standstill following the devastating floods last summer.

Wychavon District Council will receive almost £160,000, while Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service will be given £134,000.

The money is being dished out to make up for the thousands of pounds the council and fire service had to spend to clean up the aftermath of the floods.

The latest payments come after the Government last year dished out a first instalment of almost £830,000 to Wychavon District Council to help it get back on track financially after the floods.

Mr Healey said: "Last summer's flood caused widespread devastation and misery for thousands of people.

"I saw first hand the excellent response by local agencies, including local authorities, who worked tirelessly first to protect their communities and then to help people get back on their feet.

"But this comes at a cost. "I am delighted to announce funding for these authorities, which means that we have now paid over £15 million to 39 authorities which will help them cover some of the costs of dealing with the floods.

"But from my many visits to flood-hit areas I am only too aware that there is still a long way to go before some communities are back to normal.

"So Government is committed to continuing to support communities throughout this process and there will be more help to follows."