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Deadline Extended for Council Tax Discount on properties affected by flooding

The deadline to apply under Castle Point Borough Council’s  scheme which provides financial relief to local Council Tax payers affected by the severe flooding event on the 20th July 2014 had been extended for one month to 30th November 2014.

 

Cllr Colin Riley, Leader of Castle Point Borough Council requested that  the deadline for residents across the Borough to claim Council Tax Relief for flooded properties be extended  until the end of November.

 

The discount is available to properties that have either remained occupied, have been left empty as a result of flooding or were empty prior to being flooded.

 

The support is limited to the impact of the severe weather flooding on 20 July 2014 only but a discount of 3/12ths (25%) of the net annual Council Tax charge for 2014/15 on the property as at that day will be calculated.

260 applications for flood relief have so far been received to date. The Council wants to ensure that residents don’t miss out on making a claim.

 

Applications are required to be made in writing. Further details of the scheme and application form are available on the Council’s website.

 

The qualifying criteria are as follows:

1. Flood water has entered the internal living area of the property (e.g. kitchen, bathroom, lounge, bedroom, hallway) and

2. The extent of flooding is more than minimal, affecting a substantial part of the floor surface area within the affected room(s); or

3. Access to the property has been severely restricted (exceeding 3 days) as a result of flooding or loss of amenities such as sewerage, drainage and electricity being severely affected.

 

Cllr Riley said  " The Scrutiny Committee is still undertaking a review  with  the various responsible agencies into this distressing event  and continues to receive  evidence from residents affected by severe flooding in July . I was very  concerned  that  it is  only right to extend the claim period for another month so that the Scrutiny Committee could reach a conclusion and issue their report on this matter . I hope all those entitled will claim this discount in order to provide the  evidence needed by the Borough .”