A TORY councillor has explained why he said he was not in favour of the flood-stricken region obtaining millions of pounds in EU Solidarity Funding.

Cllr James Airey initially stated at Wednesday's SLDC meeting that he did not support the potential £125m worth of funding because, after discussions he had with DEFRA, he believed that it would cost Britain more in the long run.

Britain receives a rebate on its contribution to the EU budget and Cllr Airey was concerned that, should the government apply for the Solidarity Funding, the rebate would be reduced.

However, he has now changed his course after yesterday's announcement that the government will be applying for the EU Solidarity Funding, which is available to member states who have been hit by natural disasters.

Cllr Airey has made it clear that he wants the region to receive financial help, but did not want that financial help to end up costing the country more in the long run.

Cllr Airey told The Gazette: "I was initially told that it could affect our rebate and I have never been given any other advice. Now it appears the government has applied for it. 

"I was told that it would affect our rebate and cost us more in the long run.

"They must have figured it out and realised it was a good option but initially they were telling me it was too costly.

"Let's hope this doesn't slow the process down any more - it's about getting extra money into Cumbria and that's a good thing.

"We need to get the much-needed work done to damaged bridges, for example, that are really affecting communities - that really needs to happen quickly."

The announcement that Britain would be applying for the funding came with just a day to go before the window of opportunity slammed shut.

In response to an urgent question in Parliament yesterday morning, Department for Communities and Local Government Minister James Wharton confirmed that the government would indeed be applying.

Matt Severn, the Lib Dem councillor for Kendal Underley, described the Solidarity Funding as being 'the right thing for the area' and was critical of the Conservatives' approach to the application.

He said: "On Wednesdy night Cllr Airey, the leader of Conservatives on Cumbria council, emphatically rejected applying for the EU money and was adamant that the government should not do so.

"That at the last hour the government have agreed to apply is entirely down to the pressure applied by local people and South lakes MP Tim Farron.

"The people of Kendal will long remember local Tories misguided attempt to spare their governments blushes ahead of doing the right thing for our area."

Accounting firm KPMG has estimated the total flood damage in the UK at £5bn, meaning that the UK could be eligible for up to £125m from the fund - 10 per cent of which will be available immediately.

Rory Stewart, MP for Penrith and the Border and Minister for Floods, informed The Gazette of the decision yesterday morning.

He said: "We had to go through the process of making sure we would benefit from it if we applied and we concluded that we would."

South Lakes MP Tim Farron is 'delighted' with then news, having set-up a petition, signed by more than 2,000 constituents, which he presented at the European Parliament last week.

Tim said: "I am delighted that the government has finally decided to apply for this money. The government has prevaricated for far too long, but has finally decided to apply.

"This is a big win for everyone who signed the petition and supported the campaign. Local people have shown overwhelming support in favour of applying for this money, and although it took months of constant lobbying and a trip to Brussels, I am glad that the government has finally listened.

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"We now need to make sure that the money which is granted actually reaches the areas that most need it, rather than remaining with central government.

"This money is desperately needed to help flood-hit areas rebuild infrastructure and repair damage following the devastating impact of the floods."