This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Moray flood damage support
21/11/2002
Moray is to benefit from extra financial support to
tackle the immediate aftermath of recent, severe flooding
which hit the area, the Parliament was told today.
Moray was one of the worst affected areas when severe
floods hit the North East of Scotland recently.
Elgin and the neighbouring towns of Forres and Rothes
were affected by storms which caused the River Lossie to
burst its banks.
The actual level of support Moray Council will receive,
from the Bellwin scheme, will depend on the eligible costs
incurred by the council.
Minister for Finance and Public Services Andy Kerr
said:
"The Executive is fully aware of the damage and
disruption the recent severe floods have caused to people
in the North East of Scotland.
"I am delighted that the First Minister has announced
the activation of the Bellwin Scheme to help tackle these
problems - we have listened to the concerns of the council
about the immediate costs, and are acting on them.
"As a result of the flooding, Moray Council had to
temporarily rehouse around 175 people and locals had to be
airlifted to safety from the main street in Elgin.
"I would like to congratulate the local emergency
services for dealing with these problems so effectively
without their prompt response, the situation could have
been even worse.
"The assurance we are giving will allow the council to
get on with tackling the immediate impact of the flooding.
I am confident that this will help return as much normality
as possible to the lives of local people in the
community."
The Bellwin Scheme exists to provide financial
assistance to local authorities for the immediate costs of
dealing with emergency situations. Assistance is provided
above a set threshold for each council.