LEWES SOLICITORS ASK 'WHY ARE WE WAITING FOR FLOOD WORK?'

A HORRIFIED Lewes solicitor, told that major flood prevention work is unlikely to start in Lewes before 2003, has written to the Government to express his outrage.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Jul 2001, 12:28 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 22:45 BST

And Christoper Coopey, on behalf of Wynne Baxter, solicitors, whose premises were among those flooded badly in October, has called for the re-payment of a VAT windfall to be used to help provide the cash to speed up the operation.

But in a letter back, a MAFF spokesman said additional sources of Government funding for flood schemes would be inappropriate .

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In his letter Mr Coopey said: In common with many other businesses and residents, this firm suffered appalling flooding in October.

We were therefore horrified to learn at a recent meeting that work on alleviating the flood risk in Lewes is unlikely to take place before 2003.

I understand that the processes involved in having funding approved are mostly to blame for the delay, as the work needed to plan and execute such schemes can be undertaken quite quickly if the funding is available.

It occurred to me that the Treasury has benefitted to a great degree from the flooding, based on the VAT take for the cost of flood repair works to buildings and possessions.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

I would therefore ask you to investigate such action as is necessary to release an equivalent sum to the VAT windfall of many millions of pounds, that the Treasury has collected, to those communities affected by the flooding.

This would mean that interim schemes can be undertaken to reduce the immediate risk, pending full funding aimed at achieving a more permanent measure of protection.

In his return letter, Richard Jeffery, flood and coastal defence, said the Government encouraged operating authorities to take a strategic long-term approach to flood and coastal defences.

The Government had increased funding by a further 51 million for such work.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The consideration of additional sources of Government funding would be inappropriate, he added.

And he continued: As far as funding for capital works in Lewes is concerned, provided proposals meet criteria, availability of Ministry grant should not be a delaying factor.

Published: 17.5.01 Sussex Newspapers Ltd

Related topics:GovernmentVAT