Pickles finds £30m for riot-hit communities

Author: Mark Conrad, The MJ - Aug 15, 2011

Local authorities and businesses affected by the riots will receive financial support from the Government as part of a package of measures to assist communities' recovery.
Communities secretary Eric Pickles announced on 11 August the establishment of a £10m 'recovery fund' to help councils with the immediate costs of making their areas safe, clear and clean again. ‘This fund can be used, for example, to clear debris left strewn in streets and make immediate repairs to pavements and roads,’ the Department for Communities and Local Government explained. The fund can also be used to support councils offering council tax discounts or council tax relief to those whose homes have been damaged but are still habitable.

Mr Pickles also announced:

•A £20m 'high street support' scheme - funded jointly by the DCLG and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills – to help the worst affected areas trading again.
•Seriously damaged homes and properties would be removed from respective valuation lists – thereby removing any liability for council tax or business rates.
•Councils to be given powers to offer rate relief for local firms – with authorities covering a quarter of the cost and central government the remainder.
•Emergency funding designed to re-house families made homeless by the disturbances.
Mr Pickles said: 'Our priority is to get local communities back on their feet, get businesses up and running again and make sure nobody is left without a roof over their head. We will stand side by side with communities as they rebuild their lives.'

In a written statement to Parliament, Mr Pickles also praised the work of fire-fighters across England during the riots – many of whom put their lives on the line to save people, property and buildings.

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