Sheffield's flood fight taken to national conference

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 20th Sep 2007

The leader of Sheffield's Liberal Democrat group has taken the fight for better flood relief to his party's national conference in Brighton. Cllr Paul Scriven addressed the national Liberal Democrat conference in a debate on the floods calling for a better deal for Sheffield.

Cllr Scriven highlighted the relatively small amount of money provided to help Sheffield from the Government (£0.5m). He also called for appropriate flood defenses to be fully funded by Government given that last year Gordon Brown cut the flood defense budget for the UK.

Cllr Scriven believes that Government should re-assess the relief fund to take into account all the extra major work that will need to be carried out by the council. Lib Dems fear that local taxpayers could end up having to foot the majority of the bill for unavoidable repairs due to the floods.

Cllr Paul Scriven, Leader of the Sheffield Liberal Democrat Group, said: -

"Its clear that the Government have not supported Sheffield in the long-term aftermath of the floods. If we don't receive anymore funds then it looks like local taxpayers could end up footing the bill for unavoidable extra work the council has to carry out."

"Our local infrastructure was hit badly and the final bill will run into millions. Sheffield deserves a fair deal from Government and extra support must be provided. The council itself must also do more to make sure the financial aid already obtained gets to the homeowners and businesses affected."

"The Government must also fully fund the flood defence programme in Sheffield. Local people need to be assured that everything is being done to avoid further floods insofar as possible."