District council to get one-off £300k to help cost of drainage boards

After a campaign by senior politicians, South Holland District Council is to be given nearly £300,000 to cover drainage costs.

It’s one of 15 local authorities announced to be sharing £3m of funding the government has allocated.
That South Holland District Council has to pay so much of its share of the council tax it collects to drainage boards locally has been a bug bear for many for a number of years.
Former leader Gary Porter led the calls and organised meetings with central government after this year costs rose more than normal due to increased energy bill.
Now South Holland is being given £298,739, though the government has made it clear it’s just for one year.
It was announced by Lee Rowley, to the House of Commons by the parliamentary under secretary of state for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
He said it was ‘exceptional’ and to support the 15 local authorities who have to pay independent drainage boards three per cent of their ‘average core spend’.
Lord Porter said the new funding equated to six per cent of council tax collected.
“It’s really good news,” he said. “It will help the new council with the immediate budget pressures we’ve been faced with.
“It’s still not a permanent solution but at least government are now recognising that it’s a problem so hopefully they will come to a permanent solution.
“As it’s six per cent of the council tax collected it’s not to be sniffed at.”
When asked if it’s a last leaving present to the council after failing to be elected last week after 20 years leading the council, he said: “It’s one of many leaving presents.
“There’s a lot things that have been put in place, many of which will take time to come through.
“I have every faith that Nick Worth (the new leader) and the new council will push through a number of things we’ve been working on in recent years.”