Labour in Leeds - Nearly 30,000 pounds still left in Council's flooding fund, say Councillors

Nearly 30,000 pounds still left in Council's flooding fund, say Councillors

Two leading Labour Councillors have revealed that £28,000 is left in a fund specially created by the Council to help those people hit by the terrible floods in the city last year. £130,000 was put into a community fund last July to be spent on providing residents with much needed assistance to buy for example furniture and equipment such as cookers and kettles. However, a recent enquiry by Cllr Mark Dobson has found that with just weeks left to spend the money, only £102,000 has been spent.

Councillor Michael Lyons said: “I am absolutely astonished that after eight months, £28,000 of the Council’s Flood Relief Fund has still not been spent. “I want to know why there has been such a delay in the distribution of this money which the Government provided to help with one of the most desperate situations this city has faced in recent years? “It is simply not good enough. I will be contacting the leader of Council as a matter of urgency to demand that a review is undertaken into this fiasco at the earliest opportunity.”

Councillor Mark Dobson said: “I would urge anyone who has not yet submitted an application for assistance from the fund to do so as soon as they possibly can. “While I was amazed at the substantial amount of money still left in the fund, we must concentrate right now on getting this money to those people who need it the most.”

£130,000 was provided by the Government to the Council last July to assist those in the city hit by the floods. Full details of how to apply including the eligibility criteria and application forms can be obtained from the Leeds Community Foundation and Leeds City Council. The deadline to make an application is 31^st March 2008.

People can also visit websites at www.leedscommunityfoundation.org.uk/latest-news.htm or www.leeds.gov.uk. Alternatively, they can call or email the Foundation on Leeds 0113 242 2426 or email floods@leedscommunityfoundation.org.uk to request a form. The Foundation has pledged to turn-around all applications within a maximum of seven days.