Emergency Funding Considered For Councils After The Big Storm

20th December 2012

Photograph of Emergency Funding Considered For Councils After The Big Storm

Ministers will consider emergency financial assistance for local authorities to help deal with the costs of the storm damage last weekend.

Aberdeenshire Council and The Moray Council have made representations to the Scottish Government to activate the Bellwin Scheme as a result of the severe storms over the weekend. The Bellwin Scheme is a discretionary scheme to give financial assistance to councils who faced an undue financial burden as a result of large-scale emergencies.

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead yesterday saw the effects of the storms first hand when he visited the harbours of Lossiemouth, Peterhead and Fraserburgh.

Mr Lochhead said:“The extreme storms which hit the east of Scotland over the weekend were truly exceptional and left a trail of debris and damage, some of it significant. As the full impact on local communities continues to be assessed, we stand ready to provide urgent assistance and the Scottish Government will consider applications from local authorities for emergency funding through the Bellwin Scheme.

“Yesterday I saw first hand the magnitude of the damage and met with many involved in the emergency response. As well as major ports, small harbours and vital coastal defences that local communities rely on have been hit by the storms.

“With the clean up work ongoing, I commend everyone for their hard work and assure them that the Government is committed to helping communities get back on their feet as quickly as possible.”

Finance Secretary John Swinney will consider all eligible expenditure under the terms of the Bellwin Scheme when formal claims have been received from the Councils.

Mr Swinney said:"It is vital that nothing should deter local authorities from moving quickly to recovery and repair of the extensive damage caused by this weekend's storms. That is why I have today agreed to activate the Bellwin scheme which provides support to affected councils to assist with immediate and unforeseen costs of dealing with the aftermath of the severe weather.

"We look forward to working with those councils who apply to the scheme to ensure that resources are made available as appropriate."

The Bellwin Scheme operates under Section 155(2) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Councils may make applications for additional financial assistance for eligible expenditure over and above their threshold limit under the discretionary scheme.

There is no automatic entitlement to assistance and local authorities are expected to include a small amount within their annual budget to deal with unforeseen emergencies.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Educational Institutions

Fewer Children, More Difficult Decisions: The Future of Highland's Schools

For many years Highland Council has faced difficult decisions over small rural schools.   Some have closed, others have been mothballed, and communities have often argued that a village school is about much more than the number of children sitting in its classrooms.  

Today : Local Authority

Glasgow’s 23,000 Council Workers Face a Major Pay Shake-Up

Glasgow City Council has taken a dramatic step in its long-running equal-pay dispute, giving notice that it intends to end existing pay arrangements for its non-teaching workforce unless an agreement can be reached with the trade unions.   Around 23,000 employees are affected.  

Today : Employment Services

What Are the Options for Scottish Pupils Who Do Not Want the Traditional Academic Route?

Parents of teenagers in England are being told that they will need to understand a new range of vocational qualifications as their children approach the age of 14.   The Career Development Institute has welcomed the introduction of new Vocational GCSEs, which are due to start being introduced in England from 2029.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

The £27 Million Energy Bill Facing Highland Council – And NHS Highland's Hidden Cost

Rising energy prices are a problem for households and businesses, but there is another very large energy bill that receives much less attention.   Highland Council operates one of the largest public-sector property estates in Scotland, while NHS Highland runs hospitals, health centres, clinics and other facilities across an enormous geographical area.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Public invited to Justice Service open days in Fort William and Wick

The Highland Council’s Justice Social Work teams in Lochaber and Caithness will be hosting open days in Fort William on Tuesday 6 October and Wick on Friday 9 October 2026.   The open days will provide members of the public with an opportunity to gain an insight into the Justice Service and find out more about the excellent work going on locally.  

23/9/2026 : Local Authority

Launch of New Transport Service for Renal Patients in Highland

NHS Highland and The Highland Council are pleased to announce the launch of a new bespoke year-round transport service for renal haemodialysis patients across Highland.   Funded through a grant from NHS Highland, the service marks the first phase of a new approach to patient transport delivery, designed to support the long-term development of a more sustainable, flexible and community-focused transport model for Highland.  

23/9/2026 : Local Authority

Economy and Infrastructure Committee to consider next steps on proposed Short Term Let Control Areas

Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee will meet next Monday (28 September 2026) to consider whether to progress proposals for new Short Term Let Control Areas across parts of Highland.   At the special meeting, councillors will be asked to consider the findings of a public consultation on proposed control areas covering Inverness City and a wider Highland Rural area, before deciding whether the proposals should be submitted to Scottish Ministers for approval.  

22/9/2026 : Local Authority

Scotland's Local Government Reform: More Local Power or Mainly a Search for Savings?

The Scottish Government is proposing a major reshaping of local government, with fewer regional authorities and many more community-level bodies making decisions closer to where people live.   The language is about local democracy, stronger communities and bringing decisions closer to people.  

22/9/2026 : Local Authority

Local Government Set For Huge Changes

Initial proposals designed to deliver fundamental reform of local governance have been set out to help shape the debate on improving public services.   The possible changes, if implemented, could help achieve a better balance of decision-making powers across the public sector to ensure investment is focused on delivering improved services.  

21/9/2026 : Local Authority

Council Tax Reform: Just How Many Scots Took Part in the Debate?

Council tax is one of those bills that most households know only too well.   It arrives every month or in a series of instalments, and it helps pay for services ranging from rubbish collection and roads to schools, social care and other council services.