Leeds City Council has pledged £130,000 to a fund set up to support community groups and individual residents in Leeds that have been affected by the recent floods.
The Leeds Community Foundation recently launched an appeal to raise funds for the victims of flooding in Leeds and the £130,000 from the council will go towards this appeal.
The money has been made available to Leeds as part of a national £14 million contribution by the Government to those areas of Yorkshire and the Midlands affected by the flooding in June.
Under the scheme, individual victims of the flooding, or community groups will be able to apply for support to help them meet their immediate needs - buying cleaning products for example, or organising temporary accommodation, basic furniture or other equipment such as cookers and kettles.
The following priority groups will be eligible to apply for a grant:
- individuals in the most badly affected areas of Leeds whose homes or property were most affected,
- community groups who helped or are helping flood victims;
- community groups whose premises or equipment were affected by the floods.
People living in those areas most affected by the flooding will be eligible to apply for a grant, such as Halton, Collingham, Wortley, Rothwell, West Garforth, Meanwood and Kippax. Applications from other areas will also be considered if individuals can demonstrate flood damage.
Other support for people affected by the flooding includes:
- For people whose properties are uninhabitable, Leeds City Council may be able to offer further support in the form of council tax relief. For further details people should contact the council’s contact call centre on 0845 1260113.
- For the especially vulnerable, the Department for Work and Pensions have a scheme where non-repayable community care grants are available to help provide assistance. People wanting to apply for the grants can call 0845 6088671.
- Yorkshire Forward are offering support to businesses that have suffered business continuity problems following the floods. A special recovery helpline number has been set up: 0800 0226201, this is manned from 8am-8pm, seven days a week.
You can find full details at the Leeds Community Foundation.
Alternatively, you can ring the Foundation on Leeds 0113 242 2426 or email floods@leedscommunityfoundation.org.uk for a form. The Foundation will respond to all applications within a maximum of 7 days.
The Foundation has launched an appeal so that any companies or members of the general public can contribute to the fund. You can donate on line by credit or debit card at Just Giving. You can also send a cheque made payable to Leeds Community Foundation to 6 Lisbon Square, Leeds LS1 4LY. Please clearly mark your envelopes Flood Appeal.
Grants will not be given to businesses as other schemes have been established to help them.