Decision details

To approve and update the Local Authority Discretionary Grant Funding for Small Businesses Policy in line with the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund – Guidance for Local Authorities’ and endorse previous operational decisions of the Chief Finance Officer to award grants in accordance with government guidance.

The policy was originally developed following guidance from Government and following informal consultation with Cabinet. Central Government provided direction on eligibility and priority areas, along with a push to deliver the funding to those in need in very short timescales. The funding pot has not been fully utilised during the first tranche of the policy, and so discretion has been used to broaden the eligibility criteria in order to maximise benefit for local businesses.

Local authorities are responsible for delivering grants to eligible businesses in accordance with the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund – Guidance for Local Authorities.   In order to formalise arrangements for  carrying  out this function the Chief Executive, in exercise of the emergency delegation in paragraph 4.4 of the Scheme of Delegation in Part 3 of the Constitution, and the emergency delegation approved by the Leader of the Council on 30 March 2020, authorising the Chief Executive to exercise all executive functions, or to authorise specified officers to exercise any such functions, and after consultation with the Leader of the Council:-

1  Approves the updated Local Authority Discretionary Grant Funding for Small Businesses Policy.

2  Endorses previous operational decisions of the Chief Finance Officer to award grants in accordance with government guidance.

3. Authorises the Chief Finance Office to approve  future individual discretionary grants for small businesses up to £10,000.

Due to the Covid 19 emergency and the need for the Council to administer the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund in line with Government guidance.

None.  The Council is responding to Central Government direction.