Ewing asks Finance Secretary to step in

Ms Ewing has written to the Scottish Government Finance Secretary, Kate Forbes, asking that the Bellwin Scheme be activated following recent flooding in her constituency, with particular reference to Cardenden, which has been very badly affected.

The Bellwin scheme is intended to reimburse the cost of local authority actions taken in the immediate phase of an emergency.

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Speaking on Monday, Ms Ewing said: “There is absolutely no doubt that the level of rainfall experienced here in my Cowdenbeath constituency last week was extreme and my heart goes out to those of my constituents whose properties were compromised by floodwaters.

“There is a process known as the Bellwin Scheme which allows for the reimbursement to local authorities of the actions that they have taken in the immediate phase of an emergency. I have written to the Finance Secretary asking that it be activated, in particular with reference to Cardenden which has been very badly affected.

“Flood damage in this area has been considerable and there is concern that insurers may not pay out on claims".

Ms Ewing added: “Many of those affected are elderly folk in private houses who have seen thousands of pounds of damage done to their homes. Some might not have been insured. Others are reporting insurers saying that flood damage is excluded from their cover.

“I hope that, in the short term, the Council can provide some assistance to them and that the support from the Bellwin Scheme will be able to back that up, although I am aware that costs which are regarded as insurable cannot be reimbursed.

“I am keeping in close contact with representatives of the affected communities and I am extremely aware that we have more rain forecast and there is a concern that drains still blocked with debris from the initial flooding could contribute to further problems.”