COUNCIL leaders praised Oxfordshire’s flood heroes yesterday and urged swift action from the Government over flood prevention measures.

Councillors spoke at a county council meeting held in Bodicote House, Banbury.

The meeting was the first to be streamed live on the internet.

Arash Fatemian, cabinet member for finance, put forward a motion which said: “The recent flooding in our county posed very real and difficult challenges to the people of Oxfordshire. The efforts and achievements of our staff — and our communities — in responding to those challenges was an impressive testament both to public service and to community support.”

Labour councillor Susanna Pressel also put forward a motion which urged county council leader Ian Hudspeth to write to the Government asking for an urgent decision on a contribution to a flood channel for Oxford, known as the Western Conveyance, from Seacourt Stream to Sandford, which would cost about £125m.

She said the council should also urge partners and local businesses to contribute to the scheme.

Ms Pressel’s motion was passed, but Rodney Rose, deputy leader, said: “We are doing all this motion asks for and more.”

He said council leaders had already been to Downing Street to discuss the flooding.