This report sets out the decision to implement the Local Restrictions Grant Scheme (Open) Fund.
It is the decision of the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council that a Local Restrictions Grant Scheme (Open) Fund in respect of Businesses in hospitality, leisure, accommodation and retail sectors that have been suffering from reduced demand will receive backdated grants for the time spent in Tier 2.
Business types meeting the following criteria will be eligible to apply:
- Be operating in the hospitality, leisure, accommodation and retail sector, according to valuation Office records at the beginning of the lockdown period (see Appendix 1)
- Be registered for Business Rates
- Provide in-person services from the premises registered for Business Rates
- Have been actively trading from the premises prior to the Tier 2 restrictions coming into force (or if preceded by other restrictions, trading at the point of restrictions being imposed)
- Have not been required to close and be able to demonstrate that they have been severely impacted by the Tier 2 restrictions in place between 2nd December and 18th December 2020
- Not be in administration, insolvent or had a striking off notice
A three-tier payment approach will be introduced as follows:
£567.00 for the 17-day qualifying restriction period with a rateable value of £15,000 or under
£850.00 for the 17-day qualifying restriction period with a rateable value of over £15,000 and less than £51,000
£1,275.00 for the 17-day qualifying restriction period with a rateable value of exactly £51,000 or above
That an application window will run from 8 March 2021 to 31 March 2021 inclusive.