Issue details

In 2017, the Government produced a Flood Recovery Framework (FRF) which is a framework for use in a severe weather event with significant wide area impacts. The triggering of this framework is intended to provide local authorities with central support to help their communities and businesses return to normal. The Framework was updated in 2021 following impacts from flooding events in 2019 and 2020.
The Government’s FRF was triggered on 25th October 2023 in response to severe flooding events which occurred following Storm Babet. On 3 November 2023, the Leader of the Council agreed to the implementation of three flood schemes in the borough, specifically the Community Grant Scheme, Council Tax Discounts and Business Rates Relief, all schemes administered by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).
DEFRA have now issued guidance on the administration of the Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant as a result of Storm Babet (appendix 1). This scheme runs alongside the other DLUHC schemes but is again administered locally by districts.
The purpose of this report is to seek approval to implement the Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant Scheme – Storm Babet 2023 (PFRRS), and to delegate administration and decision making under the scheme to the relevant Director in accordance with guidance issued by the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
The report also seeks delegation to Director level to sign the memorandum of understanding with DEFRA in relation to the PFRRS.