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Wednesday, 12 March 2014
More information about flood and storm recovery, along with details of grant schemes and other assistance, is on our website: www.cornwall.gov.uk/floodrelief
Dear Members,
Cornwall Council’s community network and Volunteer Cornwall teams are continuing to work together to ensure that people who have been affected by the floods and storms are getting the help, support and advice they need.
Repair works are taking place in many places including Bude, Newquay, St Ives, Penzance, Portwrinkle and Portreath. There have been 250 incidents of damage to communities and infrastructure reported to the Council so far, with a potential cost of £21.4m. We are also expecting more damage to emerge as the land dries out, particularly around the coastal areas and the South West Coast Path.
We are still assessing the full extent of the damage and are drawing up a priority list of works. We will be shortly making a bid to the Government for financial assistance with these costs and, once the level of funding has been confirmed, will be starting work immediately in those communities that have been left most exposed. However it is important to recognise that until this funding has been clearly identified, many areas will not see permanent repairs started. We will, however, ensure that the public are protected by fencing and other means.
Update on support for fishing industry
Following last week’s announcements on support for fishing businesses we are seeking further clarification from BIS on the different remits of the Business Support scheme and the Marine Management Organisation grant.
Our view is that the Business Support scheme can cover fishing businesses and their (on-shore) locations that have been directly affected by flooding but that the MMO scheme can cover loss of/damage to kit as a result of the storms.
There is no compensation to be had for inability to get out and fish as that, we believe, is the intent behind the recently announced quota adjustments.
Coastal Communities scheme
The government have just announced that Coastal towns damaged by storms and flooding will be able to bid for a share of a £64m regeneration fund. The Coastal Communities Fund was set up to pump government money into depressed coastal areas across the UK. Fifty projects were awarded a share of £27.7m on 7 March 2014 including 5 in Cornwall.
Ministers said areas affected by storms would be prioritised in the next bidding round. The Council will work with partners and local communities to try to maximise our chances of receiving funding from this fund
Sport England Fund
Sport England have announced details of funding to help repair sports facilities damaged by the floods and storms. Clubs, charities and similar organisations can apply for funding to re build sports pitches, club houses, slip ways and changing rooms.
Emergency funding grants of between £500 and £2,000 are available now to help with clean up and emergency repairs. This will include decontaminating and repairs to club houses and drains, reconnecting services and securing sites.
A second larger fund offering grants of up to £25,000 will be available for those needing support for more extensive repairs . Applications for this second fund will open at the end of March.
An application form and more details are available from the Sport England website http://www.sportengland.org/funding/our-different-funds/flood-relief-fund/
Help for tourism businesses
Tourism businesses in Cornwall are being encouraged to apply for a share of the £2m announced by the Government earlier this month to help tourism businesses affected by floods. More information, including an online toolkit produced by VisitEngland, is available on the Government’s website.
Help available for homeowners and businesses
There are four schemes available for homeowners and businesses affected by the severe weather, between 1 December 2013 and 31 March 2014, to apply for financial assistance. Please see below for details of three of the schemes, more information on the fourth scheme, the ‘Repair and Renew’ grants, will be available soon.
Business Support Scheme
The Government has announced a new Business Support Scheme for small and medium sized business premises, physically affected by coastal and inland flooding. Eligible businesses will be able to claim for costs, initially up to £2,500, which could include: immediate clean up costs and repair, replacement of stock or equipment, additional staff costs, structural surveys and non-recoverable insurance excess.
An application form to apply for a grant from the Business Support Scheme is available on our website www.cornwall.gov.uk/floodrelief
Council tax discount
Householders, whose house has been affected by the severe weather, can apply to Cornwall Council for a three month discount from their council tax.
To establish whether a property qualifies for a discount due to flooding we need the following information:
- Name and address of the property affected
- Date the flooding occurred
- Details of how the property was affected by the flood
- Supporting evidence to help us with your application
Applications can be made by phone, email or in writing. Phone: 0300 1234 171 Email: revenues@cornwall.gov.uk In writing: Shared Services (Income), PO Box 676, Threemilestone, TR4 9LD
Business rate relief
Businesses, affected by the severe weather, between 1 December 2013 and 31 March 2014, are able to apply to Cornwall Council for a 100% business rate relief for three months. To establish whether a business qualifies for business rate relief we need the following information:
- Name and address of the property affected
- Date the flooding occurred
- Details of how the property was affected by the flood
- Supporting evidence to help us with your application
Applications can be made by phone, email or in writing. Phone: 0300 1234 171 Email: revenues@cornwall.gov.uk In writing to: Shared Services (Income), PO Box 676, Threemilestone, TR4 9LD
Regards
Rob Andrew
Cornwall Council
Assistant Service Head - Localism and Devolution
Photos: top left - Portreath harbour, top right - Portreath harbour wall bottom left and bottom right - Penzance
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