'THIS EXTRA FLOODS FUNDING WILL NOT BE THE LAST'

08:00 - 21 December 2007

Floods recovery minister John Healey has pledged more money will be made available for the region.

It comes after it was announced an extra £1m from a Government funding pot will be shared between councils in the areas worst affected by the summer floods.

But Mr Healey stressed this was not the end of Government funding and more was on its way.

The funds, announced yesterday during a visit to Hessle, which are yet to be allocated to specific councils, will be made available shortly. It is not clear how many councils the total will be shared between.

Totals of £5.6m and £3.1m have been allocated to Hull and the East Riding respectively from the Government so far.

However, the minister said more cash would be allocated to the region.

He said: "This extra £1m is to help the large number of people who will still be out of their homes during the winter months.

"It is of great concern to me that people are still living in caravans.

"This extra funding is not the last. There will be more money on its way to Hull and the East Riding.

"I will be holding more meetings with representatives from both councils in January to discuss further concerns.

"I am also holding regular discussions with insurance chiefs in order to get people back in their homes as quickly as possible."

While on his visit to Hessle, the MP met Anita Wilkinson, who has lived in a caravan with her husband and two daughters since August.

The 49-year-old, of Winthorpe Road, said: "We needed the money at the very start, not six months down the line. It has been very stressful.

"We lost our home and all our possessions in one go."

Earlier this month a report by the Audit Commission revealed the total cost of the flooding in Hull was £51.43m, the highest in the country.

Hull City Council will have to find 71 per cent (£36.51m) of the costs, due to a lack of insurance cover on its housing stock.

The bill in the East Riding was the second highest totalling £45.7m, of which the council will have to stump up 12 per cent (£5.5m).

Mr Healey said there were many lessons to be learned from this summer's floods.

He said: "It is clear from the various reports there has to be better planning in the future.

"We need to manage the drains better and look at the flood defences. We are also looking at how councils are insuring their housing."

Councillor Stephen Parnaby, leader of East Riding Council, said: "Any extra funding we receive helps and I believe the region will get a good share of the £1m.

"I think the minister was genuinely shocked to see so many people still living in caravans."

Hull City Council leader Carl Minns said: "It seems like a small amount if it is to be spread between several councils. But I welcome any funding the Government is able to provide."