Agenda item

Additional Restrictions Grant

Summary:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options considered:

Following the Council’s success in fully defraying its initial allocation from the Government funded Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG), NNDC has now qualified for additional funding. The top-up fund represents an opportunity for the Council to continue to assist local businesses, with a particular focus on supporting the recovery process from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and helping them to become more resilient to potential future threats and challenges.

 

As agreed at Full Council on 28 April 2021, delegation is provided to the Director of Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth, to:

 

1.    establish the terms and processes to commit the remaining ARG fund by 30 June 2021, and;

2.    develop a programme of business support using the anticipated ARG top-up funds that the District will benefit from following the full dissemination of the current fund.

 

The former point has now been concluded and the Council has received £760,411 to fund the delivery of a new programme of support. This report sets out the broad concepts for a proposed programme.

 

The Council is obliged to use the ARG fund to support local businesses, particularly those who may not been able to benefit from the mandatory grant schemes. The Government has advised that this should predominantly take the form of discretionary grants. However, the fund also allows the Council to use funding to deliver wider business support to which a range of options, including those outlined within this report, are possible.

 

The Council could choose to focus the remaining allocation solely on providing grants. However, it is recognised that businesses would additionally benefit from a broader offering of non-financial support to assist their recovery process, enable them to embed Covid-safe practices and to support resilience.

 

Conclusions:

 

The Covid-19 pandemic has taken a considerable toll on local businesses. Whilst some businesses were able to trade to some extent, many have been heavily impacted, struggling to meet their ongoing fixed costs and now, having reopened, are having to make significant efforts to recoup their losses. However, it is also recognised that the pandemic has also created opportunities and new revenue channels, to which the Council would wish to nurture and encourage.

 

Whilst the mandatory schemes have played a significant role in helping some businesses, there are many others who did not qualify for these grants. The ARG scheme has to date helped to address some of those who have slipped between the cracks. The next phase provides an opportunity for the Council to further develop the scheme to provide a wider range of assistance to help the local economy to bounce back.

 

Recommendations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reasons for

Recommendations:

 

It is recommended that Cabinet:

 

1.    note the content of the report and the progress to date in committing the ARG funding;

2.    agree and approve the Business Support and Recovery Grant Scheme;

3.    confirm support for the appointment of administrative resource (1 FTE) to support the grant scheme(s) and, as required, to support the delivery of wider business support;

4.    agree to the further development of a wider scheme, with specific targeted support for the visitor economy, social care sectors and digital skills;

 

To continue to support the recovery of the local economy and to ensure the funding is fully defrayed within the timescales determined by the Government.

 

 

 

 

 

               

Cabinet Member(s)

Cllr Richard Kershaw

Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth

Ward(s) affected

All

Contact Officer, telephone number and email:

Stuart Quick (Economic Growth Manager), 01263 516263, stuart.quick@north-norfolk.gov.uk

 

 

 

Decision:

Resolved to:

 

1.     agree and approve the Business Support and Recovery Grant Scheme;

2.     confirm support for the appointment of administrative resource (1 FTE) to support the grant scheme(s) and, as required, to support the delivery of wider business support;

3.     agree to the further development of a wider scheme, with specific targeted support for the visitor economy, social care sectors and digital skills;

 

Reason for the decision:

 

To continue to support the recovery of the local economy and to ensure the funding is fully defrayed within the timescales determined by the Government.

 

Minutes:

Cllr R Kershaw, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth, introduced this item. He explained that following the Council’s success in fully defraying its initial allocation from the Government funded Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG), it had now qualified for additional funding. This top-up fund would enable the Council to move from the rescue phase of the pandemic to the recovery phase. He said that the intention was to focus on business support and the provision of training for care sector workers.

 

Cllr C Cushing referred to page 246 and the reference to some small businesses ‘slipping between the cracks’ He asked whether efforts would be made to prioritise these and how the funding would be allocated. Cllr Kershaw confirmed that this was a priority. He said that there was not sufficient funding to help all of them but the Council would be sympathetic and would apply the funds according to merit.

 

Cllr V Holliday asked how much funding would be allocated to supporting the care sector. She said that young people had difficulty accessing work in this sector as they often didn’t have a car. Cllr Kershaw confirmed that £500k had been allocated to supporting the visitor sector and the care sector. The Economic Growth Manager added a firm amount had not been allocated to the care sector yet. All options were being looked and review would be undertaken in the next couple of weeks and then his team would be in a position to confirm the funding allocation.

 

It was proposed by Cllr R Kershaw, seconded by Cllr J Toye and

 

Resolved to:

 

1.     agree and approve the Business Support and Recovery Grant Scheme;

2.     confirm support for the appointment of administrative resource (1 FTE) to support the grant scheme(s) and, as required, to support the delivery of wider business support;

3.     agree to the further development of a wider scheme, with specific targeted support for the visitor economy, social care sectors and digital skills;

 

Reason for the decision:

 

To continue to support the recovery of the local economy and to ensure the funding is fully defrayed within the timescales determined by the Government.

 

Supporting documents: