Councils could face high flooding repair bills following news that ministers may cut funding for the problem. The LGA expressed ‘deep concern’ at reports the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) may have to cut its budget by £200m, following the debacle over subsidy payments to farmers. Cllr David Sparks, chair of the LGA’s environment board, described the current annual budget of £75m for coastal erosion projects as ‘woeful’. He said: ‘This needs to be dramatically increased to make sure councils are able to protect towns and villages.’ DEFRA was unavailable for comment.
