Issue 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.