To implement the Covid Assistance Relief Fund Policy introduced as part of the Covid Assistance Relief Scheme.

The pandemic has impacted on most businesses to some degree whether through reduced trade, staff shortages or increased operating costs to maintain a covid secure workplace.  It’s therefore recommended that a scheme should be introduced to provide additional support.

In order to provide support as quickly as possible and minimise the burden on local businesses, a scheme of direct awards is favoured, with any application process and means testing held to be time consuming for businesses and operationally difficult to administer within the timeframe for awards, 2021/22.