Council unveils immediate support to flood victims

Wyre Forest District Council has today unveiled immediate financial support for households and businesses suffering flooding as a result of Storm Dennis.

The announcement comes following the Government’s confirmation late last night (Tuesday 18 February) of a package of support for councils in flood-hit areas.

The council is granting 100% council tax and business rates relief for 3 months for dwellings or business premises that were flooded, where it already has confirmation of flooding. This applies to a number of properties in Bewdley, Wolverley and Stourport. The council will send notification of the relief by post or email, depending on how people have chosen to receive their council tax or business rates bills.

Any household or business that has been flooded and thinks it may be eligible for this support should get in touch with the Hub at Green Street, Kidderminster by emailing customerservices@wyreforestdc.gov.uk  or 01562 732928 so that their eligibility can be confirmed.

Council Leader Councillor Graham Ballinger said: “With the Government’s confirmation of funding support last night, it is right that we should move immediately to ensure that affected households and businesses receive financial support as quickly as possible. We will also be putting in place arrangements to administer financial hardship payments for  affected households and business recovery grants for small and medium enterprises that have uninsured losses.

“I would encourage anyone who has been flooded and thinks that they require council tax or business rates relief or help from the other financial support schemes to get in contact with the Hub.

“It is disappointing that the Government’s announcement does not include recovery grants for farmers similar to those announced last November and, with colleagues in other affected areas, we will continue to press the Government to address that important sector.”

Wyre Forest District Council has already announced it will also be offering free bulky waste collections to anyone in the district who has suffered flooding to their property and has damaged goods. Any flood damaged property will need to be placed at a collection point our team can access. Please check with your insurance company before booking a collection.

Click here for full details of the Government’s announcement

Keep up to date with weather warnings from the  Met Office and flooding updates are available from the  Environment Agency   If you are a food business and have been flooded there is specific help and advice available from Worcestershire Regulatory Services