Want to help?
The Council has now set up a special e mail address for members of the public and people who want to offer help to use – offersofhelp@cornwall.gov.uk. The offers are then being matched with the requests for help from people living in the affected areas.
The Council is also supporting the Cornwall Community Foundation by enabling people to make donations to the Cornwall Flood Fund via the flood line number 0800 731 3247. This will be open between 8 am and 8pm Monday to Friday, and between 9 am and 4 pm on Saturday. Members of the public can also make donations at any of the Council’s One Stop Shops.
Worried about paying bills?
The Council is also offering support to people worried about paying their council tax and business rates. Members of the Council’s Revenues team will ensure that, where necessary, an appropriate discount or exemption will be applied as soon as possible. The payment process will also be delayed in the main affected parishes of Lostwithiel, St Blazey, Mevagissey and Pentewan. Further information can be found by calling the Revenues team on 0300 1234 171 or email: revenues@cornwall.gov.uk.
Help for Businesses
Any business affected by the flooding should contact the confidential free and impartial advice line set up by the Council in partnership with Business Link. This number, which is open from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm, is 01752 759988. Other sources of information are also available from www.businesslink.gov.uk/southwest
Help is also available from Volunteer Cornwall (01726 71087, Mon - Fri, 9.00am - 4.30pm) and the Federation of Small Businesses has launched an interest free loan up to £5,000. Contact Ann Vandermeulen on 0845 1308217.
Help clearing up
The Council is continuing to provide support to residents and businesses whose properties were damaged by the flood water. The skips which were sited in Mevagissey, Lostwithiel, St Blazey and Pentewan immediately after the floods have now been replaced by an assisted collections service in which local people can contact the Council to arrange for bulky waste items to be collected from outside their properties.
Anyone requiring the assisted collections service can either telephone the Council’s waste collection contractor Serco on 01726 223311, the dedicated flood number on 0800 7313 247 or the Council’s main customer service number 0300 1234 100.
Health
Health services are working as normal, so anyone who has an appointment at hospital or with their GP, should still attend. Community health staff are also now working as normal, and will be providing crucial information about the communities and people they visit, so that any additional needs can be identified and dealt with.
Apply for help