Issue - meetings

This discretionary grants scheme had been introduced by the government on the 31^st October 2020, to be administered by all business rate billing authorities in England. The  scheme was aimed at supporting businesses:

·           who had lost income between during the second lockdown between the dates of 5^th November 2020 and 2^nd December 2020

·           with relatively high ongoing fixed property-related costs;

·           which can demonstrate a significant fall in income due to the pandemic;

·           which occupy property, or part of a property, with a rateable value or annual rent or annual mortgage payments; 

·           that were trading on or before 4 November 2020.

An additional criteria for microbusinesses had also been included:  

·           Microbusinesses that can demonstrate loss of income due to the Covid-19 crisis.  This may include Council Tax payers running a business from home, sole traders, or mobile businesses such as hairdressers and driving instructors.

The scheme had to be established locally by councils within a very short timeframe. The Tandridge scheme was therefore implemented by the Acting Chief Executive, in consultation with Group Leaders, under the urgency powers of Standing Order 35.

In addition to the scheme, an advisory panel of Members and Officers had been created to review applications received on a weekly basis.

The Committee was invited to ratify the scheme.

            R E S O L V E D – that the Additional Restrictions Grant Scheme, as attached at Appendix A to the report (and as amended with reference to microbusinesses), be ratified.