Angus Council says Storm Babet repairs will exceed £4m

The cost of repairing damage caused by Storm Babet in Angus is likely to exceed £4m, councillors have been told.

More than 400 households were affected by flooding during the storm in October - many of them in Brechin.

The council says initial repairs to structures such as the Brechin Flood Prevention Scheme will cost £3.9m.

They will claim about £4m from a Scottish government scheme - but it will not cover the cost all the repairs required across the region.

Ian Lorimer, director of finance at Angus Council, outlined the immediate cost of the October storm in a report that warns of "significant financial implications" for the local authority.

The council estimate their claim to the Scottish government's Bellwin Scheme - a fund designed to help councils that face extra costs after large-scale emergencies - will be £4.155m.

It will cover the costs of repairs to structures including the Brechin Flood Prevention Scheme (estimated at £100,000); Montrose Splash Seafront (£250,000); and Brechin Bridge (£125,000).

However the figure does not include the cost more substantial repair works which are not eligible under the scheme.

Speaking of those additional repairs, Mr Lorimer said: "The cost of such works is still being assessed but is likely to be significant.

"No funding source has so far been identified for the cost of these works but in the absence of any additional Scottish government financial support they would need to be prioritised alongside all other repair works across Angus and funded through the limited resources available in the council's capital budget."

As well as causing widespread damage in Brechin, Storm Babet also caused further erosion of the Montrose dunes which were described as "an essential defence" against flooding from the sea.

Costs for this and the long term reinstatement of the town's promenade are expected to reach several million each, with neither eligible under the Bellwin Scheme.

The report, which will go before councillors on Thursday, states that more than 400 households were affected by flooding, most of them severely, with many people out of their homes.

The council housing service is arranging alternative accommodation for 67 households, while 20 housing association tenants have been rehoused by their landlord.

Affected households can receive £1,500 from the Community Recovery Grant - but second homes or those who suffered flooding damage to their gardens only - are not eligible to apply.

More than 70 crisis, community care and discretionary grants have also been approved from the Scottish Welfare Fund in the area.

A business recovery grant of £3,000 is also available.

Many of the businesses affected by Storm Babet were in Brechin at Eastmill and the majority of those were small, micro businesses who were unable to get flood insurance.

One of the town's major employers, Matrix International, which has around 120 staff, was also forced to move to a temporary premises following the storm and are in talks regarding the long-term support they need to remain in Brechin.

Speaking about both the community and business grants, Mr Lorimer said: "The eligible timeframe for damage is limited to that occurring during Storm Babet only (19 - 25 October) and claims must be made by affected households/businesses by January 19 2024.

"The application process went live on November 25 and at the time of writing a large number of applications have been made."

A spokesperson for the Scottish government said they have been working closely with local authorities to support those impacted by Storm Babet.

The spokesperson said: "As well as individual grants, the Scottish government is also providing an additional £100,000 for Angus Council to help those families who have lost everything to resettle and rebuild their lives.

"The timeframe for local authorities to apply to the Bellwin scheme has been extended, to further support local authorities with the cost of recovery, and we have committed £1.8m to support farmers in affected areas repair damaged flood banks.

"We are also providing an additional £50,000 to the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution to help bolster the charity's flooding crisis fund supporting those affected by recent adverse weather in the agricultural sector."

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