McLeod writes to Scottish Government over Bellwin Scheme claim
SNP MSP for the South of Scotland Dr Aileen McLeod has today (Wednesday) written to Finance Secretary John Swinney to back Dumfries & Galloway Council’s case for financial assistance to meet the costs incurred during the severe snow in March.
Dr McLeod commented:
“Dumfries & Galloway Council’s response to the severe weather in March was rightly praised at the time and when I raised the issue of compensation under the Bellwin Scheme shortly after the incident the Transport Minister advised me that all eligible claims would be paid.
“Unfortunately the amount of money which the Council claimed for contained expenses which are not eligible under the Bellwin Scheme. Those expenses which were eligible were lower than the amount which the Council is expected to pay out of its own funds.
“It is unfortunate that the Council’s application has turned out not to meet the Bellwin Scheme criteria. However, the Council clearly had to spend a good deal of taxpayers’ money both on the emergency response and the subsequent roads repairs.
“Even though the Bellwin Scheme has not proved to be the answer in this case, I hope that the Government will still be able to offer some level of assistance given that the region was one of the worst affected. I have written to John Swinney to ask him to consider what can be done to help.”
13.08.28
