Support after firms flooded
A COUNCIL scheme to support businesses has been extended to help those hit by severe flooding caused by Storm Callum in October.
Rhondda Cynon Taf council has confirmed the criteria for its enterprise support programme has been extended.
A COUNCIL scheme to support businesses has been extended to help those hit by severe flooding caused by Storm Callum in October.
Rhondda Cynon Taf council has confirmed the criteria for its enterprise support programme has been extended to help those businesses at the north of the Cwmbach Industrial Estate and the top end of Rhondda Fawr which were directly affected by the flooding.
The scheme was designed to provide grants to small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) to help them grow and create jobs.
It is funded throught the council’s capital budget and can go towards building works and buying equipment but not buying stock.
But it was extended after Storm Callum caused heavy flooding across RCT between Thursday, October 14 and Sunday, October 17 following unprecedented rainfall in the north of the Rhondda and Cynon valleys which was the worst seen in the area for 30 years.
The Cynon Valley had more than seven inches of rainfall at the top of the valley on the Friday and Saturday, which was more than culverts could deal with.
Rebecca Walker is a manager at Hammond ECS, a rail and structure maintenance company based on Canal Road in Cwmbach.
She praised the council and Welsh Water for the support they provided during the bad weather and said they are looking into long-term solutions to stop it happening again.
She said Hammond ECS has not previously been affected by flooding before as it tended to affect businesses at the front of the estate.
The problems were caused by a culvert in Cwmbach but council staff were on site providing sandbags during the worst of the flooding.
The company has had to have new flooring fitted with an estimated final cost of between £3,000 and £5,000.
“We have been here for 30 years and it is the first time it has ever affected us,” said Ms Walker.
“Businesses down the front have been affected previously.
“We had a meeting to see if we can get an early warning in place for the future.
“They (the council) offered to help us financially. It was really good of them.
“We weren’t hit as bad as other businesses but it was a disruption.
“The support from the local authority, Andrew Morgan and the highways teams has been excellent.
“There was a meeting so business owners could share their views and have a chance to give feedback.
“None of us expected that we would be affected.”
The proposed amendments to the programme see the grant rate go up from 40 to 50% of eligible costs with a maximum of £10,000.
It waives the usual job creation requirements and would allow for restropective expenditure but no further back than October 12, 2018.
Businesses need to complete an application form and provide photographic evidence of the flood damage.
The council says the amendments will enable the it to respond effectively to the needs of the businesses, supporting them to continue trading, minimising any impact on employment and future sustainability as a result of these exceptional circumstances.