Financial assistance for flood victims

More than £60,000 has been paid to residents affected by Storm Desmond in December.

Lancaster City Council has made payments totalling £66,500 to 133 people in the district using funding from the Government.

Residents identified as having flooded homes have received the money directly, generally to the person registered for council tax.

City council officers have been working quickly to identify all properties that are eligible for the money, but anyone whose home was flooded as a result of Storm Desmond on the weekend of December 5/6 and is yet to receive a payment should telephone 01524 582935.

Flooded residential properties will also be exempt from council tax for a minimum of three months. The discount has automatically been applied for relevant affected properties, but to check email ctax@lancaster.gov.uk.

Businesses that were flooded as a result of Storm Desmond can also apply for an exemption from paying business rates. Exemptions will initially be for three months, but can be extended for up to 12 months if the property has not been re-occupied. Applications can be made by emailing nndr@lancaster.gov.uk or telephoning 01524 582920.

Full details of the schemes can be found on the city council’s website at www.lancaster.gov.uk/flooding. The page also contains details of other grants which may be available to both residents and businesses.

Coun Eileen Blamire, leader of Lancaster City Council, said: “We’ve been working hard to identify all the households that were affected by the dreadful flooding in December and to provide them with the help and support they need to get back on their feet.”

Last updated: 08 March 2016