Council can bid for flood funds

The council has been given a second chance to bid for flooding funds

Schools in Gloucestershire will be able to bid for government cash to protect them from flooding after a successful appeal by the council.

County council officials did not bid for a share of £28m from Whitehall as they thought the authority was ineligible.

The government then admitted the invitation letter for bids was unclear.

Gloucestershire County Council has been told it can bid for £1.6m to protect its schools from future flooding.

The original letter from the government stated costs incurred from flood damage, and not covered by insurance, would be eligible for funding under the scheme.

Gloucestershire County Council has insurance for its schools and repair costs have been met - so officers assumed they would not be able to apply for the government cash.

Councillor Julie Girling, of Gloucestershire County Council, said: "This proves what we have been saying all along, that the initial letter we received was not clear and did not specify that we could apply for money for future flood defences.

"I am very pleased that the government has listened to our argument and I sincerely hope that our bid is considered favourably.

"I will continue to fight for the money that we need to ensure our schools are protected in the future."