The Government announced that it would provide Local Authorities with additional funding to target small businesses with high fixed property-related costs but that are not eligible for the current grant schemes.
Decision type: Key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Wards affected: None Specific;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 13/05/2020
Reason for urgency:
On 1 May the Government announced that it would provide Local Authorities with additional funding to target small businesses with high fixed property-related costs but that are not eligible for the current grant schemes.
The Government want Local Authorities to exercise their local knowledge and discretion and they recognise that economic need will vary across the country, so they are setting some national criteria for the funds, but allowing Local Authorities to determine which cases to support within those criteria.
The Council is still awaiting the guidance in order to produce a policy but as this is a discretionary scheme rather than a mandatory scheme it will need Executive approval. The Government has made it clear that Local Authorities need to distribute this funding at the earliest opportunity therefore it is deemed urgent that the matter be considered by the Executive at its 28 May meeting. This will enable early distribution of the funds.
Decision due: 28 May 2020 by Executive
Lead member: Executive Member for Finance - Imogen Shepherd-DuBey
Lead director: Deputy Chief Executive - Graham Ebers
Department: Housing, Income and Assesments
Contact: Andrew Kupusarevic Email: andrew.kupusarevic@wokingham.gov.uk Tel: 0118 974 6803.
Reason For Consideration: Local discretionary grant policy to be agreed in line with recent government guidance