Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member Finance and Assets

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    The Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open) Scheme in Appendix 2 be approved;

2.    Authority be delegated to the Head of Revenues and Benefits to take decisions relating to applications made under the Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open) Scheme, and to the Executive Director Finance and Assets, in consultation with the Cabinet Member Finance and Assets, to consider and determine any reviews requested in respect of such decisions;

3.    The Head of Revenues and Benefits be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Member Finance and Assets, to make changes to the Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open) Scheme in line with any changes made by Government, or, as required to ensure the successful operation of the scheme;

4.    The Executive Director Finance and Assets be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Member Finance and Assets to add any further category of businesses as eligible for the Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open) Scheme, if required;

5.    The Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) Addendum scheme be noted, and authority be delegated to the Head of Revenues and Benefits to take decisions relating to applications;

6.    The Christmas Support Payment scheme be noted, and authority be delegated to the Head of Revenues and Benefits to take decisions relating to applications.

The Cabinet Member Finance and Assets presented the report, noting that it would be implemented immediately once approved in order to get the funding out to those who needed it.

Following the second national lockdown beginning on 2^nd December 2020, the government had provided a series of support measures. The first of these was the Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) scheme, which allocated support to businesses that paid business rates and were required to close by law. This funding totalled £15,220 for the period 2^nd December to 19^th December, which was intended to be 80% of the total requirement and could be topped up at a later date.

The second scheme was the Local Restrictions Grant (Open) scheme, which was aimed at businesses that were able to open but were severely impacted by the tier restrictions. As an open scheme, the exact eligibility criteria was up to the council to determine. The council was allocated £300,037 for the same two-week period.

The Christmas Support Statement was also announced on 1^st December as a one-off payment for pubs that derived less than 50% of their income from food sales. For this, the council had been allocated £44,800.

He noted that the schemes all applied across both tier 2 and 3, meaning that the rules would remain the same if Cheltenham were to move up to tier 3. He acknowledged a degree of uncertainty about what would happen next, and thanked officers and colleagues for their hard work.

The Cabinet Member Healthy Lifestyles asked whether the amounts granted to businesses would be taxed. The Executive Director Finance and Assets clarified that they were considered taxable income, so they would be taxed if they were above the relevant threshold, but noted that they were substituting for normal income and likely amounted to less than would normally be generated.

The Leader of the Council praised the work of the Revenues & Benefits team throughout the pandemic.

The Leader moved to a vote, where it was unanimously:

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    The Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open) Scheme in Appendix 2 be approved;

2.    Authority be delegated to the Head of Revenues and Benefits to take decisions relating to applications made under the Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open) Scheme, and to the Executive Director Finance and Assets, in consultation with the Cabinet Member Finance and Assets, to consider and determine any reviews requested in respect of such decisions;

3.    The Head of Revenues and Benefits be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Member Finance and Assets, to make changes to the Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open) Scheme in line with any changes made by Government, or, as required to ensure the successful operation of the scheme;

4.    The Executive Director Finance and Assets be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Member Finance and Assets to add any further category of businesses as eligible for the Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open) Scheme, if required;

5.    The Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) Addendum scheme be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5