RICHMONDSHIRE District Council has allocated more than £75,000 to residents and businesses affected by last month’s flash floods in the Dales.

Through its relief schemes it is offering business rates and council tax relief to qualifying properties.

More than 250 residential properties and 35 farms were affected by the floods and the council has been in contact with 83 businesses – three of which could be closed for several months.

District Council Leader, Councillor Angie Dale, said: “These schemes spring into action when there is an emergency situation and are entirely funded by the district council.

“We have been working hard to support the people of the Dales affected by this catastrophic flash flooding – it is going to take some time for them to get their homes, businesses and lives back to normal, so if we can help in this small way we will.”

Where businesses have been affected by weather related flooding and are unable to trade, they may be entitled to business rate relief of 100 per cent.

It is for a maximum period of 12 months or less if trading restarts before the end of the 12 months.

Domestic properties may be entitled to a council tax discount for a maximum period of 12 months - less if the work required to make the property habitable have been completed.

For people no longer able to live in their property and have moved to a temporary address, the entitlement would be a 100 per cent discount.

For those only able to live in the upstairs, or required to live at the property for insurance purposes, the entitlement would be a 50 per cent discount.

The council will also be making a claim to central government through the Bellwin Scheme which is available to councils and allocates cash for costs incurred in addressing the immediate emergency.

That can include such things as sandbags and skips. The scheme does not cover longer term clear up costs or things like the council tax and business rates discounts.