Decision details

1.1              The government has provided financial support for small and micro businesses that were not eligible for assistance in the Small Business Grant Fund or the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Grant Fund.  The businesses that were eligible for support from these funds were those that paid business rates.

1.2              The additional support has been administered via the Local Authority Discretionary Grant Fund. (DGF)

1.3              Approval for the DGF was granted on 5 June 2020.

1.4              Guidance for the administration of the grants was issued by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) with eligibility being based on some mandatory criteria and some specified priorities, albeit that local authorities have discretion to support businesses in their area based on economic need.  

1.5       As at 28 July 2020 only 74 businesses have qualified for the grant, with the potential for a further 12, subject to receiving evidence supporting their eligibility.  It is clear that the existing guidance will not utilise all of the available funding.

Full details are set out in the Cabinet Member Report

1.1       That a revised Discretionary Grant Fund policy, attached at appendix A.  The original policy, with tracked changes, is at appendix B be approved.

1.2       Delegated authority is granted to the Cabinet Members for Major Projects and Economic Development and Finance, Procurement, Customer Services, Revenues and Benefits, along withthe Head of Customer Services, Revenues and Benefits to determine the level of grant payment, when the scheme closes.