Decision details

In response to the COVID19 the Government introduced grant schemes to assist businesses to mitigate the loss of income during the pandemic.

The decision to implement a Discretionary Grant Scheme in line with the guidance issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is aimed at providing financial support to small businesses and Charities that were not eligible for the Small Business Grant Fund or Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Grant Fund.

The attached document sets out the Councils policy for the delivery of the Discretionary Grant Scheme, including:

Factors that should be considered when making a decision to award or refuse relief; and

Appeals procedure for businesses dissatisfied with the Council’s decision.

The Powers to implement such a scheme are contained in Section 1 of the Localism Act 2011.

In response to the Covid 19 pandemic the Government has introduced a package of measures to financially support businesses.

The Discretionary Grant Scheme is an important part of those measures and provides a local discretion to support those businesses that have suffered a significant reduction in income and fall outside of the scope of other support measures.

Whilst introduction of the Scheme is at the discretion of the council and the council could decide not to implement a scheme, this would be to the detriment to local businesses and wider economy.

The cost of the scheme is funded by Government up to a cap of £1,380,000.