Decision details

The purpose of this report is:

1)     To seek approval to implement, in accordance with the latest government guidance, the following grant schemes:

i)     Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) Addendum (Tier 4)

ii)    Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) Addendum (5^th January onwards)

iii)   Closed Business Lockdown Payment

2)     To delegate, to the Director of Corporate Resources, the authority to determine grant eligibility, in accordance with the Government’s guidance.

THAT:

1)         the grant schemes detailed in appendices 1 and 2 to this report are implemented in accordance with the latest Government guidance;

2)         a delegation is provided to the Director of Corporate Resources, for the determination of grant eligibility and payment award, in accordance with the Government’s guidance

The delegation is requested to ensure the timely award of the grants, efficient decision making and to avoid the Executive from becoming overwhelmed by applications. It is appropriate that this function is delegated to Officers for determination in line with established guidance.

An alternative to the proposal to implement the listed grant schemes in accordance with the latest government guidance would be to decline the Government’s offer of grant funding and not pay grants of this nature in the Borough of Gedling. To so however, would be to deny businesses in the Borough a significant amount of grant funding which is likely to assist in business recovery and continuity following the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.

An alternative to the proposal to delegate the authority to exercise the Council’s discretion would be to report each grant case to the Leader for his determination in accordance with the national and local guidance. This would mean that the Leader would have to consider multiple applications over a potentially long period. This would place an unnecessary burden on the Executive and may prevent the timely award of the grants.