More help for flood-hit homes and businesses

Home on Weedon Street devastated by flood

Rochdale Borough Council has further extended the financial support available to homes and businesses hit by flooding last month.

Council tax and business rates relief for anyone who was forced to leave their home or stop trading as a result of the floods on 26 December has now been extended to a minimum of three months.

The council initially agreed to refund council tax for the period householders were forced to leave their properties (up to 12 months). The extension means all those that qualify will get at least three months refunded, even if the period they were out of their homes was shorter.

Affected businesses will also now get a minimum of three months rates relief. They could previously get one month refunded automatically and apply for more if they were forced to stop trading for longer.

Council leader Richard Farnell said: “We have been very proactive in making sure that the people who suffered so terribly during the flooding last month have as much financial support as we are able to give them. Everyone at the council wants to do as much as they possibly can to help get people back on their feet.”

The council’s cabinet committee agreed to the extension after receiving funding from the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

So far the council has agreed to pay qualifying homes and businesses £500. More than 400 have already received the payment.

Businesses have also been told they can apply for grants of up to £10,000 from a fund set up by Greater Manchester councils to help with their recoveries.

Badly-affected homes can get further financial assistance up to the equivalent value of £2,000. So far 40 properties are being considered for this additional support and will be subject to a detailed assessment.

Details of the financial support can be found on the council’s website or by calling the floodline number on 0300 303 0420.