Support available to flood-hit communities through grant scheme

Communities hit by flash floods in September are being encouraged to approach the Devon Community Resilience Forum if they need support.

The forum has extended its Emergency Resilience Grant scheme until next April so that Devon communities affected by flash flooding on Sunday 17 September can seek help if needed.

The initiative offers two funding schemes:

• Help for communities to develop emergency plans, and

• Support for small scale works and resilience equipment, which is usually intended for those communities with an emergency plan already in place.

However, in response to the recent flood events and to support community flood resilience, the grant of up to £1,500 for small scale works and equipment is being made available until the end of April 2024 for those communities that are still in the process of developing their plan or do not yet have one.

This funding is intended as a “fast track” grant to provide:

• Rapid purchase of simple flood equipment (PPE, signs, sand bags etc.);
• Exceptionally, a contribution to minor, practical works. (However, this will not cover activity that is otherwise being promoted through the community self-help / Road Warden scheme, such as clearance of drains, or general maintenance works that are the responsibility of land owners).
• For those communities that have recently experienced flooding, works to assist community recovery and getting things back to normal will be included.

Applications are made via a simple two-page form in Word. Any constituted group (Parish Council or Community Group) with a bank account is able to apply for the grant.

All communities and applications will be considered, however those areas affected in the most recent flood event in September 2023 will be prioritised in order to help those communities get back on their feet and address any immediate issues.

If a community is interested in developing an emergency plan then the scheme one grant is still available to assist with this. Devon Communities Together is also available to help groups put their plan together.

For more information visit the Devon Communities Together website or contact rod.birtles@devoncommunities.org.uk