Financial support available for flood victims
RESIDENTS and businesses affected by the Boxing Day floods are being urged to take advantage of the financial support being offered.
Chorley Council is administering the help that will include relief from council tax and business rates as well as money towards getting people back into their homes and businesses as soon as possible.
It comes after hundreds of people across the borough had their homes and businesses turned into rivers just hours after celebrating Christmas.
Councillor Peter Wilson, Deputy Leader of Chorley Council, said: “We have had around 360 households and businesses from right across the borough contact us to request the support that is available and many of those will now have been paid or will receive the money in the next few days.
“What we want to do is remind people who have been flooded over the Christmas period but haven’t come forward yet to get in touch with us as soon as possible.
“There were some places that we know got flooded but there may be parts of the borough that we don’t know about so it is important people get in touch so we can help.”
The help on offer includes:
- Council tax and business rate relief
- £500 payments to households that have been flooded
- Grants of up to £5,000 to protect homes against future flooding
- Business support with grants of up to £2,500 to get businesses trading successfully again – these are being administered by Boost Business Lancashire
- Local discretionary relief fund – this will be administered by the Community Foundation for Lancashire and is intended to support people with specific needs e.g. as a result of not being insured.
“The vast majority of people who have contacted us are grateful of the support and are now determined to get their lives back to normal,” said Councillor Wilson.
“We know the financial support can only help so much and there are many other effects of flooding such as the mental strain it can put on people so we are looking at what other support we can provide.
“If there is anything else people would like us to help with then just get in touch and we’ll see what we can do.”
The area affected by the flooding covers many parts of the borough with households and businesses in 20 of the villages requesting help so far.
All the information is available, including how to apply for help, at chorley.gov.uk or by phoning the council on 01257 515151.
Business Survey Post Flood Event
If your business has been affected by the recent floods please spare a few minutes to complete this short survey.