Purpose

The funding strengthens the funding case for the Wheatley West Flood Alleviation Scheme and supports delivery of the scheme.

The preferred scheme option would:

• Remove 18 residential and 5 non‑residential properties from a very significant flood risk category.
• Deliver £4,699,432 in economic benefits over the lifetime of scheme.
• Represent the best‑performing option assessed through Incremental Benefit Cost Ratio (IBCR) analysis based on SODC Outline Business Case.

Decision

It was decided, subject to entering a formal grant agreed, to provide a £100,000 contribution to South Oxfordshire District Council as partnership funding towards their Wheatley West Flood Alleviation Scheme. The funding will come from the OCC funding scheme of discretionary grant/direct works scheme for the delivery of formal flood investigations recommendations.

Reasons for the decision

The Wheatley Flood Alleviation Scheme is a priority project with strong economic justification and clear alignment with Economy & Place objectives. Approval of a £100,000 OCC contribution would support delivery of a scheme that provides significant flood risk reduction by strengthening the overall partnership funding package.

Alternative options considered

Provide no contribution. This was rejected as it would prevent delivery of the scheme, that would not align with the Economy & Place objectives.

Provide a smaller contribution. This was rejected as it would prevent or hinder delivery of the scheme, that would not align with the Economy & Place objectives.