News Centre

06 May 2008 (archived)

Flood team finalists for national award

West Oxfordshire's flood response team is a national finalist for a local government award, but we need your votes to win.

"We are very proud to be shortlisted", says David Neudegg the Council's Chief Executive. "We are a small district up against some very large authorities. Please show your support by VOTING FOR WEST OXFORDSHIRE'S FLOOD TEAM. We need everyone's vote to win."

In July 2007 West Oxfordshire District Council had to deal with flooding on an unprecedented scale. People needed rescuing, sandbags distributing and rest centres and accommodation set up. Staff worked round the clock, some even had their own homes flooded.

The Award recognises the outstanding efforts made by the team, its partners and all those involved during the emergency and aftermath. Nearly everyone working in the Council has played a part, either through continued support to victims or by keeping other services going at such a dramatic time.

To vote, simply click on this link: VOTE FOR WEST OXFORDSHIRE'S FLOOD TEAM, or vote SMS to 80039 quoting LGATV7 West Oxfordshire. Voting ends 12 noon on Thursday 3^rd July.

More about the District Council's flood response

150 people assisted at emergency rest centres;
Temporary accommodation provided for 60 residents;
30,000 sandbags filled and distributed;
Website and media regularly updated;
Over 7000 leaflets detailing health and safety risks from flooding produced and distributed.

Since the flood waters subsided, many more staff have been involved in dealing with the aftermath including:-

Providing a free service to remove and dispose of flood-damaged furniture and domestic appliances;
Processing and paying out over 1000 flood recovery grants to West Oxfordshire residents and special Red Cross payments to flood victims across Oxfordshire;
Visiting flood-affected businesses to offer help and support;
Working on flood defence reports for each village and hamlet in the District with the aim of reducing the risk or impact of flooding in future;
Reviewing our planning policies and advising the Government on lessons that have been learnt.

Some of the comments about the flood response team

Steve Taschinie, Executive Editor at BBC Oxford: "I'm writing to thank you and your organisation for the help that you gave to BBC Oxford during the flooding emergency. During these events, the flow of information from front line services to the public is vital, my team and I believe it is a fundamental part of the response you give to saving life and property."

A Witney resident: "Just wanted to let you know what a great job the Streetscene crew did for us on Saturday. They delivered drops of sandbags until they could not get the van through the rising water. All of us in Waine Rush view were very grateful for their help. Please pass on our thanks to your team."

A Charlbury resident: "Thank you for the prompt updating of the website and information on the recent flooding situation in West Oxfordshire on your website. It's been useful just to catch up on minor matters like rubbish collections, as well as seeing, for example, what's happened to roads around our town (Charlbury). I get the impression you've all been working harder and longer than your job descriptions have called for."

A Bampton resident: "Many thanks for your prompt and efficient response to my request for the cleaning of Weald Street and Primrose Lane to remove all the stones and the shingle left there following the flooding. The road surface is so much tidier now and it is so q-u-i-e-t. These things are important at least to me, when trying to get house, home and neighbourhood back to normal. Thanks again to all concerned and especially to the driver of the mechanical sweeper."

A couple who came to one of our rest centres: "We would like to say thank you to the Rescue people who evacuated us, to the two gentlemen from WODC, who helped us at the Long Hanborough Village Hall, and to the ladies and gentlemen, who kept us supplied with tea, toast, soup etc etc. We don't know who they all were but they did a wonderful job."

Brenda Smith on behalf of the residents of Standlake, Northmoor and Bablock Hythe: "The WODC team which was in Standlake this weekend, and especially today, have been superb. Please thank everyone involved - officers, drivers, councillors and switch board operators for all the help and support we have received. We are very grateful if somewhat dazed!"

For more about the team's work and the other finalists visit the Local Government Channel. Alternatively tune into Local Government Today on the Community Channel every day at 6.30am on Sky 539, Virgin 233 or Freeview 87.

The awards scheme is run by the Local Government Association and the Local Government Channel.

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