Flood resilience cash for schools

Nine schools in Gloucestershire, which were damaged during last summer's floods, are to receive a share of £1.6m to help prevent against flooding.

The government money will be used to ensure measures are in place to minimise the risk of future damage.

All of the affected schools were repaired using a combination of county council and insurance funding.

But extra cash was needed to make the schools more resilient should another flood occur in the area.

'Funding confusion'

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

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 Joan Nash, from the county council, said: "This will give them [the schools] confidence that steps can be taken to minimise the risk of damage, should we ever experience another unexpected event such as in July last year."