Pendle Council urges residents and businesses affected by flooding to apply for a grant

People affected by the Boxing Day floods are being urged to take advantage of a scheme to help make their properties more resistant to future floods.

Under the Government scheme, Pendle residents and businesses whose properties were flooded by Storm Eva can apply for grants of up to £5,000.

The grants are intended to help people put in measures which improve the property’s resilience or resistance to flooding, over and above repairs that would normally be covered by insurance.

Councillor David Whipp, who leads on flooding issues for Pendle, said: “We know there are residents and businesses eligible to apply for a grant and haven’t done so yet and we’re writing to them to remind them of what’s available.

“It’s important that you take advantage of this scheme and make your properties more resistant to any future flooding.”

Flood prevention measures which can be paid for using the grants include:
• flood door guards
• watertight covers for airbricks
• non-return valves for toilets to prevent sewage backflow
• raising ovens and boilers above flood levels
• installing more resilient flooring and plaster boarding.

Groups of residents can also use the grants to create flood defences to protect wider areas.

Leader of Pendle Council, Councillor Mohammed Iqbal, added: “A not-for-profit reinsurance company called Flood Re is launching a scheme in April. It’s directly accountable to Parliament and is funded from a levy on insurance companies.

“This means insurance companies can insure themselves against losses because of flooding and residents and businesses in flood risk areas will be able to access affordable insurance.”

All the information about grants, help and advice is on Pendle Council’s website www.pendle.gov.uk/floodsupport including links to the grant forms.

More information about Flood Re is on www.floodre.co.uk

People can also get in touch with our Contact Pendle Centre on (01282) 661661 or email us on [email protected]

Council staff will be happy to visit premises to advise on flood prevention measures and how to complete the grant application form.
 
For further information please contact: Alice Barnett, Communications Team, Chief Executive's Policy Unit, Pendle Council, Town Hall, Market Street, Nelson, BB9 7LG