![Handing out sanbags and sacks](/sites/www.esherwalton.com/files/styles/gallery_large/public/12539395563_c5d3145b81.jpg?itok=1h1Qj5v5)
The Conservative administration at Elmbridge Borough Council has been providing advice and practical assistance to residents affected by the winter floods.
It deployed 6,500 sandbags and sacks free of charge to properties most at risk, and carried out checks on vulnerable residents during the crisis.
A rest centre was opened at the Walton Centre for the Community and the Conservative-run council has announced this week, the creation of a hardship fund for home owners and local businesses without insurance cover who have suffered damage. Eligibility for this will be looked at on a case by case basis.
Councillor John O'Reilly, Leader of the Council said: "Elmbridge Borough Council is sympathetic to the circumstances that those residents affected by the floods are experiencing. We are committed to doing as much as we can to support our communities through what has been a challenging period."
The Council has already pledged to help Council Tax payers who had to evacuate their home due to flooding should their Insurers not meet the cost of the Council Tax because their property being uninhabitable.