Decision details

RESOLVED thatthe details of the forthcoming Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) be noted and the following proposals endorsed;

(i) a new scheme is open inviting businesses from across the District to apply through a new application process;

(ii) businesses who have been and continue to be affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, specifically the Omicron variant, be prioritised for the ARG including;

·        businesses from all sectors that may have been impacted, including but not limited to, hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care, the travel and tourism sector (group travel, travel agents, tour operators), wedding industries,

·        businesses who hold a business rates account,

·        businesses who do not hold a business rates account,

·         and businesses who have not received any previous ARG funding.

(iii) the following criteria be used to assess the level of grant funding to be awarded from the ARG scheme;

·        level of fixed costs faced by the business,

·        no. of FTE employees within the applicant business,

·        the impact of the Omicron variant on their business trading,

·        and, the value of previous grant/s award through ARG or other discretionary grant schemes.

(iv) the level of any award be set at a maximum of £5,000 for a single business with discretion to award a grant of £1,500 / £2,500 / £5,000 based on an officer assessment using the above criteria as set out in 1(ii) and 1(iii).