Leaders from all of Oxfordshire's councils have appealed to the government for help to meet a �3.3m shortfall in their flood clean-up bill. They said the government promised to fully reimburse them for additional costs involved in the clean-up.
However, having scrutinised the funding options available, they said it seemed as though local councils would be left "very significantly out of pocket".
They said insurance covers less than �1m of the cost of more than �4m.
The councils have written to two cabinet members about the problem.
'Lack of funding'
One letter was sent to Hazel Blears, the Secretary of State for Community and Local Government, about the financial situation.
A second letter was sent to Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment and Rural Affairs, about an alleged lack of funding for the Environment Agency.
The councils said this letter argued the protection measures the government had for the county were inadequate.
The letters were signed by the leaders of Oxfordshire County Council, West Oxfordshire District Council, Oxford City Council, the Vale of White Horse District Council, Cherwell District Council and South Oxfordshire District Council.
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