Sarah Dyke, MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, is encouraging organisations in Shepton Mallet, Wells, Glastonbury and Street to prepare for the risk of another wet winter by applying to the Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) Community Flood Action Fund. The deadline for the next round of funding is Tuesday 26 August 2025.

The fund is open to not-for-profit organisations, including town and parish councils, charities, social enterprises and community benefit societies. Grants of between £3,000 and £20,000 are available for projects that aim to reduce the impact of flooding. The scheme is designed to help people with detailed local knowledge of flood risks put preventative measures in place.

Funding rounds take place four times a year, with successful applicants notified within six to eight weeks. The SRA website also lists other possible sources of flood-related funding, including grants for training and equipment.

Sarah Dyke said: "Tragically every resident of Somerset knows that flooding is a major issue here, but it's easy to forget during a hot, dry summer the devastating effects that winter flooding can have on our local businesses, homes and infrastructure. I'm urging organisations to think ahead and apply to the SRA Community Action Fund to help reduce the terrible impact that winter flooding regularly has on our communities."

In the first round of 2025, seven successful applicants shared £77,439 in funding. In the second round, five applicants received a total of £61,070.

Sarah added: "I continue year-round to convene with relevant organisations, local authorities and stakeholders to address the impact of flooding in Somerset. The next deadline for the SRA grant applications is 26 August 2025 and I encourage those not-for-profit organisations who have knowledge of local flooding hot-spots and a plan of action to remedy them to apply now for funding to get those plans into action ahead of winter."

Application packs for the Community Flood Action Fund are available via the Grants section of the Somerset Rivers Authority website.