Decision details

To approve the update to the National Lockdown Business Support Policy Addendum (Tier 4 and National Lockdown Business Support) which details additional support for businesses impacted by Tier 4 introduced from 26 December 2020, and national lockdown measures introduced from 5 January 2021.

The update details that the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) will be used as a one-off top up to those who already received ARG funding in November, mirroring the process for the provision of top ups that are being provided to closed ratepayers which was already detailed in the policy. It also confirms that the Council reserves the right to close applications for any government business support grant schemes once funding allocations from Central Government are exhausted.

This policy has been developed following guidance from Government and in consultation with the Lead Cabinet Officer for Business Recovery and Skills.

Local authorities are responsible for delivering funding support to eligible businesses in response to measures that have been put in place in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, as detailed within the National Lockdown Business Support Policy.

The National Lockdown Business Support Policy Addendum (Tier 4 and National Lockdown Business Support) sets out how SCDC will administer support to businesses covering the period of Tier 4 restrictions introduced in South Cambs from 26 December 2020, and National Lockdown, introduced 05 January 2021.  In order to formalise updated arrangements for carrying out this function in line with government guidance, 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 National Lockdown Business Support Policy Addendum (Tier 4 and National Lockdown Business Support), including details of how grant schemes will be administered to support local businesses impacted by Tier 4 and National Lockdown restrictions

2.    Authorises the Chief Finance Office to approve future individual discretionary grants for small businesses, as set out within the policy.

Due to the Covid 19 emergency and the need for the Council to administer these grants in line with Government guidance and to support local businesses impacted by the pandemic and subsequent restrictions.

None. The Council is responding to Central Government direction.