The Scottish Government will give more than £2million to Aberdeenshire Council to help deal with damage caused by last year’s flooding.
The emergency cash is designed to help meet the costs of Storm Frank, which wreaked havoc in the north-east at the end of 2015 and start of 2016.
Local authorities have already received about £10million to help build flood defences – but they have faced criticism from some local politicians for not doing enough to protect areas.
The funding, delivered through the Scottish Government’s Bellwin Scheme, was announced on the eve of Finance Secretary Derek Mackay’s visit to the north-east today.
He said: “There’s no doubt that Aberdeenshire was among the areas hit the hardest by last year’s flooding which is why this £2million of funding will be welcome news to the council and communities affected by Storm Frank.
“This support through the Bellwin scheme will help Aberdeenshire Council meet some of the immediate and unforeseen costs of the flood damage.
“The Scottish Government is committed to working to reduce flood risk across Scotland and has committed £420million over the next 10 years to protect homes in many of our most flood-prone areas.”
Co-leader of Aberdeenshire Council Richard Thomson added: “The effects of Storm Frank continue to be felt in Aberdeenshire more than a year after the event, with much work still to be done locally.
“To date, we’ve spent somewhere in the region of £12million to help communities recover, from assisting families returning to their homes, to businesses re-opening their doors, and repairing the damage to our roads and bridges.”
Meanwhile, the dates for a public hearing to consider outstanding objections to the Stonehaven Flood Protection Scheme have been announced.
Design work has been progressing on the £16.5million project since councilors gave the go ahead, despite 12 objections being received following a consultation.
The hearing will be presided over by an independent Scottish Government reporter at St James Church Hall in Stonehaven from March 28-30.