Council to advise and support private facility owners affected by December storm.

Members of The Highland Council’s Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee have agreed that the Council will continue to provide advice and support to privately owned facilities which have been affected by the storm surge.

Members were informed today (Thursday 17 January) that the extent of damage to 24 Council harbour facilities and coastal defences during the 14/15 December 2012 storm is likely to exceed the current estimate of £2.555 million.

Councillor Graham Phillips, Chairman of the Council’s Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee, extended his appreciation to Council staff for their excellent response during the storm and the clear-up in its aftermath.

He said: “We are now moving forward and advising the private sector in communities on the east coast and looking at requests for economic re-development of the areas affected. We are currently engaging with some of the private harbour owners and the local fishing community who have been affected.”

Neil Gillies, the Council’s Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services, added: “The immediate clean-up and many minor works have been carried out thanks to emergency powers conferred by our Chief Executive. We are now looking towards major repair works that are required and seeking assistance from the Scottish Government. We are endeavouring to work with the private sector owners who have been affected to try and find a way forward with them for repairs at locations, such as Lybster Harbour.”

To help meet the repair bill, the Council will be submitting a claim to the Scottish Government under the Bellwin Scheme.

Council Leader Drew Hendry has already written to Richard Lochead MSP Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment, inviting him to consider providing emergency financial assistance to meet the costs of the repairs and seeking an early meeting to discuss what financial assistance the Scottish Government can provide.

Further reports with full detailed costs will be submitted to a future Council meeting.