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Council offers support to flooded properties
Following the devastating floods at the start of the year, West Oxfordshire District Council is offering
business and homeowners who have been directly affected by the high waters some financial help. West
Oxfordshire was badly affected by the floods for several months causing a huge financial blow to many
businesses and wreaking havoc throughout many homes.
Business are set to receive a three month 100% relief from business rates, regardless of how long they
were flooded for between December and March 2014. A Business Support Scheme will also be available
to help small and medium sized businesses develop and implement recovery plans. A repair and renew
grant will also provide financial support for work that will improve a properties ability to withstand future
flooding.
Homeowners who have been flooded since December 2013 will be eligible for a Council Tax discount. A
Repair and Renew Grant will also be available to provide financial support to pay for work that improved
the properties chances of holding back the flood waters in the future.
Cllr David Harvey, Cabinet Member for Environment said, “We welcome the support that the government
is giving and we will be doing all we can to alert people and businesses about these grants as the
repercussions and costs of flooding can places a huge financial strain on them.” Compared to some other
parts of the country and to 2007, the numbers of those impacted by flooding in the last few months are
low in West Oxfordshire; the latest information indicates around 12 businesses and some 24 households
were affected.
Could you be a Parish Path Warden?
Are you a keen walker? If so, you could play a vital
part in keeping the paths around your local area
accessible by becoming a Parish Paths Warden
for Ramblers. Each parish of Oxfordshire has a
warden who walks all the paths in their area at
least once a year, noting any problems that need
attention. A form to report the issues is provided
and it is best for you to also have a camera. Working
alongside the Parish Council, free training sessions
will be given and you will be supplied with a list of
guidelines too. The project is supported by the local
Ramblers as well as Oxfordshire County Council.
If you want to know more, email Jim Parke at jmh.
or call him on 01865 730664.
