Victims of flooding in Dumfries and Galloway should be exempt from paying council tax for homes they have had to evacuate.
That was the plea from the region’s Labour Group at the latest full council meeting.
Lochar Councillor Linda Dorward said in a statement: “Residents should not be penalised for these unprecedented events.
She tabled a motion arguing that all residents who are already dealing with expense and trauma of floods badly damaging their homes should not be forced to continue paying council tax.
Councillor Dorward was unable to attend the meeting but in a statement read out on her behalf, she said: “Unfortunately householders forced to vacate their homes due to flooding are not deemed – in the interpretation of legislation – exempt from paying council tax, despite having no control over the circumstances of their temporary absence.
“This is because the property is considered their sole or main residence. We are aware of individuals who have still not moved back into their homes after the unprecedented levels of flooding that hit this region in December last year.
“Dumfries and Galloway residents who are dealing with the expense, trauma, and challenges of moving out of their property do not need the added state-enforced burden of paying council tax.
“That is tax on the property they live in and for a property that’s temporarily uninhabitable through no fault of their own.”
Councillor Archie Dryburgh, the Labour group leader, shared an example of an ex-soldier who found himself in such difficult circumstances.
He said: “In Kirkton, we had a former veteran who was suffering from PTSD and physical injuries as well.
“As part of the flooding in Kirkton, he had to move out of his house. All his equipment was in his house, but he couldn’t move it because it was contaminated by the flooding. He’s still not back in his house, and his mental health has degraded since then.”
Mr Dryburgh added: “His big issue is that he’s still having to pay council tax, and he’s not in his house.
“When you are away on ship, or you’re deployed (in the forces) and you’ve got a house back home, you can get relief from council tax. But if you’re in a home that’s flooded you cannot get relief from council tax.”
The motion called for council tax payment exemptions to be implemented when a home has to be vacated due to flooding or any other natural disaster.
Council leader Gail Macgregor said that she fully supported this move and suggested that the issue be investigated as matter of urgency.
