Cornwall Council is publicising four schemes for financial assistance that are available to homeowners and businesses affected by the severe weather between December 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014.

Council tax discount

Householders, whose house has been affected by the severe weather, can apply to Cornwall Council for a three month discount from their council tax.

The qualifying criteria is: Flooding must have occurred between 1 December 2013 and 31 March 2014. You can only make one claim per property affected. The property has been flooded in whole or in part as a result of adverse weather conditions. The property was the sole or main residence of the householder on the day of the flood. As a result of the flooding the householder was adversely affected.

To establish whether a property qualifies for a discount due to flooding the following information is needed:

  • Name and address of the property affected
  • Date the flooding occurred
  • Details of how the property was affected by the flood
  • Supporting evidence to help us with your application

Applications can be made by phone, email or in writing. Phone: 0300 1234 171; email: revenues@cornwall.gov.uk; in writing: Shared Services (Income), PO Box 676, Threemilestone, TR4 9LD.

Business Rate Relief

Businesses, affected by the severe weather, between December 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014, are able to apply to Cornwall Council for a 100 per cent business rate relief for three months.

One hunded per cent rate relief will be awarded for those properties which meet the following criteria:

  • Flooding must have occurred between December 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014.
  • You can only make one claim per property affected
  • The property has been flooded in whole or in part as a result of adverse weather conditions
  • On the day of the flooding the property was occupied and subject to occupied business rates
  • As a result of the flooding the business activity undertaken at the property was adversely affected
  • The rateable value of the property on the day of the flooding was less than £10 million

To establish whether a business qualifies for business rate relief the following information is needed:

  • Name and address of the property affected
  • Date the flooding occurred
  • Details of how the property was affected by the flood
  • Supporting evidence to help us with your application

Applications can be made by phone, email or in writing. Phone: 0300 1234 171; email: revenues@cornwall.gov.uk In writing: Shared Services (Income), PO Box 676, Threemilestone, TR4 9LD

Repair and Renew grant

The Government has announced new ‘repair and renew’ grants of up to £5,000. The grants are to help households and businesses pay for repairs, over and above what would normally be covered by insurance, which improves a property’s ability to withstand future flooding. The grants will not cover standard repairs or provide compensation.

It is expected that the Government will publish details of eligibility and criteria soon. 

Business Support Scheme

he Government has announced a new Business Support Scheme for small and medium sized business premises, physically affected by coastal and inland flooding. Eligible businesses will be able to claim for costs, initially up to £2,500, which could include: immediate clean up costs and repair, replacement of stock or equipment, additional staff costs, structural surveys and non-recoverable insurance excess.

An application form to apply for a grant from the Business Support Scheme will be available by Monday, March 3.

Further contacts are:

West Cornwall Community network team: Mark James – mjames2@cornwall.gov.uk

East Cornwall Community network team: Steve Foster – stephen.foster@cornwall.gov.uk

Town centres/small businesses:Town Centre Management Specialist Guy Thomas -Guy.Thomas@cornwall.gov.uk

Agricultural and fishing:Business Development Consultant Peter Holland – peter@investincornwall.co.uk

This information, along with other available schemes and assistance, is on the council's website: www.cornwall.gov.uk/floodrelief