TOWNS and villages in Devon are being invited to apply for a grant to help reduce the impact of flooding on their communities.

The funding is available for flood groups, community groups and town and parish councils to help increase a community’s flood resilience.

Grants of up to £1,500 are available from The Devon Emergency Flood Resilience Fund (https://www.devoncommunities.org.uk/emergency-flood-resilience-grant) which has been provided by Devon County Council and is being issued through the Devon Community Resilience Forum (https://www.devoncommunities.org.uk/community-resilience-initiatives-grant).

The money is for equipment like temporary flood barriers, sand bags, waterproof sheeting, road signs, emergency blankets and equipment for volunteers including tools, torches, high vis jackets and radios.

The fund is available to groups with a community emergency plan or flood plan in place but not individuals.

In some circumstances groups without a plan in place may still be eligible for a grant if a draft plan is being developed and it can show how the funding will support that plan.

In exceptional circumstances the grant may be used as a contribution towards small scale, practical works that will immediately benefit the community.

Communities that have already benefited during the last year include Abbotskerswell, Ilfracombe, Kingsbridge and Lapford.

Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for Environmental Services, said: “We have made this fund available as part of the county council’s commitment to help communities help themselves.

“We know that small resilience measures can significantly improve the speed householders and communities are able to respond to flooding and can reduce the impact of flooding.”

Central Devon MP Mel Stride is also urging people to prepare themselves for future flooding and to take up the offers of funding.

He said: “One of my most distressing times as an MP was in 2012 when I visited flooded communities including Buckfastleigh, where I took the then Prime Minister David Cameron to speak with affected residents, and Kennford where I brought then DEFRA Secretary of State to witness the appalling effects of water wrecking homes.

“We responded at the time with significant investment in flood defences and I have seen first-hand the major improvements in a number of towns and villages in my constituency. If any community feels they could benefit from additional equipment to help in the event of a flood, I urge them to apply to this fund.”

To find out more about this fund and for an application form go to:

Alternatively, contact Greg at Devon Communities Together at: [email protected] .

Alan Quick