Disappointment after council’s bid for extra flood funding rejected

COUNCIL leader Cllr Russ Bowden says he is “saddened” and disappointed” after a bid for national funding, to provide extra support as a result of the flooding caused in Warrington by Storm Christoph, was turned down.

The bid for flood funding, coordinated by Warrington Borough Council, was put forward to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) as a submission to unlock funding as part of the Flood Recovery Framework – although the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government say talks are “ongoing.”

Leader of Warrington Borough Council, Cllr Bowden, said: “I am very saddened to learn that our bid for additional flooding support monies has been turned down. Given the record river levels we experienced during Storm Christoph and the consequential widespread flooding, I am extremely disappointed to learn that we aren’t going to receive any funding through the framework, which is designed to help meet the immediate recovery needs of communities affected by severe flooding.
“The flooding we witnessed in Warrington didn’t just affect our town, but wider areas across a much larger footprint, including St Helens and areas of Cheshire West. Given across this patch the unprecedented levels of flooding, I am dismayed that this was not deemed serious enough to unlock vital additional support.
“Council officers, our partner agencies, MPs and our communities responded to the major incident magnificently when it happened, and are still providing support to those who were hardest hit. This flooding was by far the most severe flooding I have witnessed in Warrington, with exceptional damage and disruption caused by Storm Christoph. It is such a shame that our communities who are still feeling the effects of the flooding won’t be able to access this further support funding.”
Storm Christoph caused major flooding and damage to homes and highways in Warrington, with river gauge levels 450mm higher than ever previously recorded. As a result of the flooding, the council has a duty to co-ordinate the investigation into the flooding and compile what is known as a Section 19 report.
A Section 19 is a detailed report which looks at conditions leading to flooding and particularly focuses on the statutory responsibilities and duties of flood risk management authorities during the flooding event. It also identifies the flooding mechanisms and causes, and any results found from the investigation are published and made public.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “While the impact of any flooding is undoubtedly devastating to a community, the reported impacts from Storm Christoph have not so far reached the level to activate the Flooding Recovery Framework and discussions with Warrington Borough Council are ongoing.”
For more information and guidance, visit warrington.gov.uk/flooding