I know that the recent flooding across Loughborough, Sileby, Quorn and Barrow, driven by the highest level of rainfall ever recorded in the county, has had a huge impact on residents, and my team and I have been working hard to support both those who have contacted me and those we have met on the ground.
As part of this, we have been in direct contact with the Environment Agency, Leicestershire County Council and Charnwood Borough Council on a range of issues including securing emergency accommodation, food, heating, furniture and financial support for those who need it, clearing debris and future flood mitigation measures.
One of the main concerns which has been raised with me is the need for capital to help with immediate costs. I, therefore, welcome that, earlier this week, the Government confirmed that Leicestershire County Council are eligible for the Flood Recovery Framework. Under this scheme:
- Flooded households can apply for up to £500 cash to help with immediate costs;
- Households and businesses significantly affected can access 100% council tax and business rates relief for at least 3 months;
- Small-to-medium sized businesses can apply for up to £2,500 from the Business Recovery Grant;
- Eligible flood-hit property owners can apply for up to £5,000 to help make their homes and businesses more resilient to future flooding via the Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant Scheme; and
- Farmers who have suffered uninsurable damage to their land can apply for grants of up to £25,000 through the Farming Recovery Fund towards repair and reinstatement costs.
Leicestershire County Council are currently working to put a clear system in place to make it as easy as possible for residents and businesses to claim extra support. In the meantime, please fill in the property flooded form on the Council’s website so they are aware that you have been affected: http://tinyurl.com/reportaflood
More broadly, I was very concerned that flooding occurred in areas which have not previously flooded, and that flooding was far more severe in areas which have previously flooded. Therefore, on 3rd January, I had an urgent phone call with the Area Director of the Environment Agency to discuss what was happening locally, having seen that Sileby and Hathern, and all the areas in between, were essentially underwater. The Environment Agency have since kept me updated on their work and have assured me that, as the river levels continue to recede, they will be checking all their assets and undertaking repair work where needed. In addition, Leicestershire County Council are continuing to support the district authorities in localised clean-ups and are seeking to reopen the remaining closed roads as soon as it is safe to do so.
Regarding the wider issue of flooding, I have, for many years prior to Storm Henk, been in contact with stakeholders and residents about local areas at risk of flooding. In Sileby, I have convened meetings between the Environment Agency, Leicestershire County Council, Charnwood Borough Council, Sileby Parish Council and Leicestershire Police to discuss the ongoing flooding issues, ensuring modelling work was undertaken to understand how future floods could be mitigated.
I have also worked with Leicestershire County Council to resolve flooding issues in the Mountsorrel area, since the last severe flooding took place there in early 2020. In addition, I have been working with the Environment Agency to assist areas of Loughborough with the £2 million from the Government’s Town Deal funding which has been allocated to alleviating and mitigating flooding in the town.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the first responders and local organisations, especially the Local Resilience Forum, Leicestershire County Council, Charnwood Borough Council and SERCO, who have been working tirelessly to support the community during this difficult time.
