Purpose

In 2017, the Government produced a Flood Recovery Framework (FRF) which is a framework for use in a severe weather event with significant wide area impacts. The triggering of this framework is intended to provide local authorities with central support to help their communities and businesses return to normal. The Framework was updated in 2021 following impacts from flooding events in 2019 and 2020.
The Government’s FRF was triggered on 25th October 2023 in response to severe flooding events which occurred following Storm Babet. On 3 November 2023, the Leader of the Council agreed to the implementation of three flood schemes in the borough, specifically the Community Grant Scheme, Council Tax Discounts and Business Rates Relief, all schemes administered by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).
DEFRA have now issued guidance on the administration of the Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant as a result of Storm Babet (appendix 1). This scheme runs alongside the other DLUHC schemes but is again administered locally by districts.
The purpose of this report is to seek approval to implement the Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant Scheme – Storm Babet 2023 (PFRRS), and to delegate administration and decision making under the scheme to the relevant Director in accordance with guidance issued by the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
The report also seeks delegation to Director level to sign the memorandum of understanding with DEFRA in relation to the PFRRS.

Decision

1)Approves implementation of the Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant Scheme – Storm Babet
2)Delegates to the relevant Director, the authority to administer and determine all applications for grants under the scheme in line with DEFRA guidance at Appendix 1.
3)Delegates authority to Director level to complete the Memorandum of Understanding issued by DEFRA to enable participation in the Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant Scheme – Storm Babet

Reasons for the decision

To implement the PFFRS in the borough as the eligibility criteria, of over 50 properties flooded as a result of Storm Babet across the LLFA is satisfied.

Alternative options considered

An alternative would be not to implement the scheme locally, however this would be contrary to Government expectation and recommendation and would not enable financial support to those households and businesses impacted by Storm Babet. Completion of the memorandum of understanding with DEFRA is required to access the PFFRS.