Issue - meetings

The Head of Regeneration and Economic Development explained that, due to the short turnaround time of the multiple business support grants available during the pandemic, it was not feasible at that point to reflect on the administration process. However, the newly-released discretionary grant would be running for a longer period and therefore allowed time for a policy to be created and approved.

The Economic Development Officer introduced the report, which proposed the addition of four fixed-term Burden Support Coordinators to be funded through the new burdens fund, who could then reach out to businesses and signpost to relevant schemes. Businesses would be individually assessed so that appropriate support could be identified, and data would be collated and monitored so that regular reviews could be undertaken. A target was proposed of 50% of the spend to be achieved by the end of November 2021, when a review would take place with an opportunity to adapt the process if necessary. A second review would take place in January 2022.

RESOLVED: That the Additional Restrictions Grant Top Up Policy, at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved and a report brought back to the Committee in 6 months for review.