Willie Rennie presses Fife Council on flood protection grant scheme

North East Fife MSP Willie Rennie (Lib-Dem) has received assurances from Fife Council that its flood protection grant scheme is still going ahead on schedule with applications expected to go live in April.

Fife’s minority Labour administration agreed just last month to put £500,000 into a brand new Property Flood Resilience grant scheme as part of the 2024/25 budget. The budget papers specify that households can apply for grants up to £5,000.

The scheme will launch four months after Storm Garrit caused Cupar’s Lady Burn to burst its bank in December and forced people and businesses from their premises.

Rennie has been pushing both the Scottish Government and local authority to help the flood victims for months. Now the council has confirmed that some support will be available next month.

In response to Rennie’s questions, the council confirmed that Storm Garrit flood victims in Cupar will be able to apply for the grant scheme to help protect their homes from future floods.

However, the council made clear that they will not be paying upfront to seal the solums – or subfloors – of privately owned properties.

Rennie asked whether or not these could be sealed on properties that were flooded while residents are still out of their homes.

The council responded: “The sealing of the solums for Council-owned properties is presently being progressed by housing services. As for the private owners, Fife Council can provide quotations to these owners and works can be undertaken by the council.”

They continued: “Private owners would need to fund this, however the forthcoming Flooding Grant Fund may be able to offer assistance for such issues.”