THE council is owed £874,000 in grants to pay for flood damage but due to a technicality the government is holding the money back.

Steve Pick, the executive director for finance, had signed the application for about £2 million of government grants.

But the first instalment of £874,000 has not yet been paid because the Department for Transport spotted that there is no written proof that he has the authority to sign claims on behalf of the council. Cabinet agreed on Monday to formalise his powers to sign any claims in future, and approve for this claim to be signed by him.

Speaking at the cabinet meeting, Coun Alan Gardiner said Steve Pick had long been signing applications, and this decision would simply enable him to do his job.