One Year After Floods, Ryde Awaits Government Grant Payments

A council has reported that a town, which experienced catastrophic flooding a year ago, has not yet received any funds from a government grant program. More than 100 properties in Ryde were inundated by floodwaters early on 25 October 2023. The Isle of Wight Council stated that no payments had been disbursed under the government’s Property Flood Resilience Grant scheme, despite residents and business owners having received over £370,000 in other flood benefits. Both the council and the government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) declined to offer further comments. The council had previously reported that a total of 107 properties suffered internal flooding when unexpectedly heavy rain caused Monktonmead Brook to overflow. Among those affected were a pregnant nurse, who had to dive underwater to escape her basement flat, and a pub landlord whose cellar was flooded “right up to the ceiling”. In November 2023, the council announced it was opening applications for financial support. Dan Thomas previously stated that he received a £500 flood relief payment and a three-month exemption from council tax. However, he was unsuccessful in securing a Property Flood Resilience Grant for protection measures, which offers up to £5,000. He informed BBC Radio Solent: “What you needed to do was allow an organisation… to come and do an audit of your property and they would put forward a plan.” “You would have to pay this organisation, I think it was about £800 or £900 for them to come and have a look and survey your property. “You don’t know… whether they’re saying you’ve got to spend £20,000 in order to beef up your flood defences or £2,000. “But you would only get back the £800 or £900 that you paid for the survey if you went along with their work, regardless of whether you agreed with the work or not.” Mr Thomas indicated that he chose to apply for the scheme, but his application was misplaced by the organization. The Isle of Wight Council stated that several claims under the Property Flood Resilience Grant scheme remain pending. The council reported that it had distributed £372,554.21 through alternative schemes, including recovery grants and reductions in council tax and business rates. The authority is responsible for managing these government schemes, which receive full funding from DEFRA.