The first step has been taken towards organising a voluntary flood warden scheme for Carlisle - as one city councillor reveals special tax relief is being considered for those affected by the most recent flooding.

Labour councillor for Cathedral and Castle Louise Atkinson was successful during Tuesday’s city council meeting in getting a motion passed calling for the organisation of a voluntary flood warden scheme for the city.

And yesterday, Conservative city council deputy leader Gareth Ellis revealed the council is considering targeted council tax relief to help households in the Carlisle area hit by flooding during Storms Ciara and Dennis.

Mr Ellis explained that, unlike in 2015, the flooding experienced in the Carlisle district was not extensive enough to quality for central government financial help - known as the Bellwin scheme.

“For those properties flooded recently, we’re considering funding some temporary tax relief, which will come directly out of our budget,” Mr Ellis said.

Tuesday’s motion, brought before the city council meeting by Louise Atkinson, called for “accelerated delivery” of Carlisle’s flood defences, and called on central Government to increase funding to the Environment Agency.

“Carlisle gets its fair share of funding for the Environment Agency,” Mrs Atkinson said.

“We’re just getting the fair share of a budget that’s not big enough. The Environment Agency has had its budget slashed over the last 10 years.”

Mrs Atkinson also stressed the importance of continuing to fund further flood management works in order to “future proof” the city against the changing climate, and called for a Government review into the Flood Re scheme. Currently, the scheme does not extend to commercially managed blocks of flats, such as those found on the banks of the River Caldew at Willowholme.

Independent Botcherby councillor Robert Betton amended the motion to further stress the effects of flooding in rural areas.

“Residents in all parts of the city have been faced with a risk of flooding,” he said.

Mrs Atkinson explained her motivation behind calling for a voluntary flood warden scheme.

“Some elderly or disabled residents I’ve spoken to in my ward struggle to fix flood barriers to their doors or to move furniture.

“This only adds to the stress and anxiety they feel every time the weather is bad. I hope that a volunteer flood warden scheme will help to alleviate some of that worry.”