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Flood relief

On this page you will find details on:

Flooding and council tax
Flood grants for businesses

Flooding and Council Tax:

If flooding has meant that you have had to leave your home we maybe able to help by awarding you a Council Tax exemption. This means that you will have no Council Tax to pay on the flooded property for an initial period of up to six months (this can be extended if structural damage is still being repaired).

In order to claim an exemption, properties must be unoccupied. If you would like further information or advice you should contact the Council Tax team as soon as possible on 01993 861040 or email local.taxation@westoxon.gov.uk

Help for flooded businesses:

Business Rates
If all (or a significant part) of your business premises are unusable as a result of flooding, you may be eligible for a temporary reduction in your business rates. This is likely to be achieved by a temporary reduction in the rateable value of your premises and you should therefore contact the Valuation Office for more information at: www.voa.gov.uk (or telephone: 0845 602 1507).

The flooding will not automatically entitle you to a reduction, as the Valuation Office staff will consider every case individually. It is important that you contact them quickly as they may not be able to offer assistance after any repair work has been completed.

If you have a general Business Rates enquiry, or require assistance in liaising with the Valuation Office, please contact the Council's Business Rates section on 01993 861070.

Temporary Premises
The Council regularly publishes a list of commercial property available in the area, and will be able to help businesses to find temporary premises. For further information call the Business Development Team on 01993 861485 or email diane.chung@westoxon.gov.uk

Interest Free Loans
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is offering its members whose businesses have been affected by flooding interest free loans of up to £5,000. For further information and an application form contact Karen Durcan on 0118 945 6848 or email karen.durcan@fsb.org.uk.

Tax Helpline
HM Revenues and Customs has set up a helpline to deal with tax queries from businesses affected by the flooding. The helpline number is 0845 3000 157.

Help for Farming Businesses
Support for those affected in the farming community is available, including:

Domestic financial support from RABI: Helpline: 01865 727888 (weekdays, office hours) or through national helpline
A small grant is available for those affected by flooding from the ARC-Addington Fund (Helpline 07002 326 326, 7am - 11pm every day, answer phone 11pm - 7am)
Pastoral and practical support from the Farm Crisis Network (Helpline 07002 326 326)

More details about the Farming Help Partnership organisations mentioned above is available on the Farming Help website.