Scottish Government turns down Council Application for Extended Funding
Written by Kevin Rennie on August 23, 2013
Dumfries and Galloway Council received confirmation this week that the Council application for Government funding to assist with the costs associated with the extreme weather experienced in the region over the weekend of March 26th – 28th has not been successful. The region, and in particular the South West, experienced some of the most extreme weather conditions it has had in decades and this had a significant impact on roads infrastructure, businesses and communities.
An application for funding support was submitted to the Government’s Bellwin scheme. The Bellwin Scheme is a discretionary scheme, which exists to give special financial assistance to local authorities who would otherwise be faced with an unforeseen financial burden as a result of large-scale emergencies.
The Scottish Government has assessed the Council’s claim. It has been rejected on the grounds of the majority of the costs being deemed ineligible. The extra costs incurred by the Council as a result of the severe weather incident is in the region of £1m. It was intended that the claim would meet the majority of these costs.
The Council’s Administration is now speaking to the Scottish Government about any other possible funding that may be available. Council Leader, Cllr Ivor Hyslop, said “We are extremely disappointed that the Council has not been successful in its application to the Bellwin scheme for funding. We are now in positive dialogue with the Scottish Government to lobby for them to identify other means of providing much needed support to the region’s recovery from the severe weather”.
