A £1m fund is available now for communities in West Sussex to bid for to help them prepare against flooding.
The popular Operation Watershed ‘Active Communities Fund’ – set up in 2013 by the County Council to help communities tackle flooding issues – has been extended for a further year.
Last year £1.25m was dished out to community groups across the county to help them with projects such as digging new drainage ditches, clearing out culverts and dredging ponds.
The public response to the fund was so great that the County Council decided to approve a further fund of £1million to help similar community projects this year.
It comes after the wettest start to the year in West Sussex since records began.
County Council Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, Lionel Barnard, said: “Due to popular demand, we have extended the Active Community Fund for another year.
“We want to support projects that make our communities more resilient to flooding and protect people and their homes.
“We are encouraging parish councils, Flood Action Groups or any other community group to apply.”
To be eligible for the fund, any application must:
- be made by an established community group in West Sussex, with its own banking facilities;
- address issues relating to flooding, flood alleviation and/or flood resilience; and
- demonstrate a commitment to developing future flood management strategies in their area.
County Council officers will be available to assist groups throughout the application process, and advise on any technical issues that arise.
For more information e-mail: operation.watershed@westsussex.gov.uk
Alternatively visit www.westsussex.gov.uk and type ‘Operation Watershed’ in the search bar.
