Flood Defence Schemes funding should include Care Homes & Hotels

Delighted that both the notices of motions that I presented at this weeks East Devon District Council meeting were overwhelmingly approved:-

Here is my presentation which was seconded by Cllr Geoff Jung

Hopefully the Government will agree for Care Homes and Hotels to be included when calculating funding for coastal and flood defence schemes.

As East Devon continues its vital work on coastal protection and resilience, we face a challenge embedded not in nature—but in the methodology we use to defend against it. Under current national flood risk models, care homes and hotels are classified simply as “commercial properties.” As such, they are excluded from the per-dwelling assessments that unlock substantial government funding for coastal and flood defence schemes.

This might appear technical—but its human impact is very real.

Care homes house some of the most vulnerable members of our communities. These are not simply buildings—they are homes, sanctuaries, and essential care environments. Similarly, hotels often provide emergency accommodation in times of crisis and are key contributors to our local economy. Yet both are overlooked when it comes to how risk—and support—is calculated.

This motion calls on Defra and the Environment Agency to correct that oversight: to formally recognise that care homes and hotels should be included in funding models in a way that reflects their true role in community life. They may not be single-family dwellings—but the people within them are no less deserving of protection.

By making this change, we move closer to a system that values people over categories. A system that ensures the resilience planning we do here in East Devon properly accounts for the residents who need it most. And a system that strengthens our ability to respond with fairness, foresight, and compassion.

I urge Members to support this motion and join me in pressing for a future where our most vulnerable are fully considered in the face of rising risks.