Agenda item - Covid 19 Additional Support for Business

Report of the Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture.

RESOLVED:

(1)      That the progress being made to administer the £5.818m Additional restrictions grants, under delegated powers, relating to the 5 November 2020 to 1 December 2020 lockdown period, and the subsequent Tier restrictions be noted;  

(2)      That the Executive Director Economy, Environment & Culture be granted delegated authority, in consultation with the Acting Chief Finance Officer, to determine the criteria and agree processes for issuing the Additional Restrictions Grants using the £2.584million top-up recently provided by government, taking account of the need to issue the grants as quickly as possible whilst targeting key local sectors that are affected by the new lockdown; and

(3)      That the interim Executive Director Housing Neighbourhoods & Communities be granted delegated authority, in consultation with the Acting Chief Finance Officer, to determine criteria and agree processes for issuing payments to Brighton & Hove licensed private hire and Hackney Carriage drivers.

2.1            The Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture introduced the report which provided an update on the £5.818m Covid -19 Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) for Business allocated to the council in relation to the November lockdown. He noted that the report detailed the work that had taken place to administer the funds and proposals for the allocation of an additional £2.584m of top-up ARG. He stated that the council had sought to focus on the sustainability of businesses that were looking to open after lockdown restrictions were lifted. He also confirmed that there had been no indication from government on whether any further ARG funding would be made available.

2.2            Members of the Urgency Sub-Committee thanked the officers for the report and welcomed the progress that had been made and queried whether any businesses may have missed out and whether funding was still available to provide assistance. It was also suggested that a running total in future reports would be helpful.

2.3            The Acting Chief Financial Officer confirmed that should other businesses that qualify come forward in time, it was likely that funding could be made available to support them.

2.4            The Executive Lead Officer for Strategy, Governance & Law noted that following the UK’s departure from the EU, there was still a requirement to comply with subsidy requirements under the Trade & Co-op Agreement. A Procurement Green Paper was due and it was an evolving matter which would need to be monitored and there would be a need to ensure consistency across the council.

2.5            The Chair noted the comments and asked that a briefing be offered to the Group Leaders on the Green Paper. He then put the recommendations listed in the report to the vote which were carried.

2.6            RESOLVED:

(1)      That the progress being made to administer the £5.818m Additional restrictions grants, under delegated powers, relating to the 5 November 2020 to 1 December 2020 lockdown period, and the subsequent Tier restrictions be noted; 

(2)      That the Executive Director Economy, Environment & Culture be granted delegated authority, in consultation with the Acting Chief Finance Officer, to determine the criteria and agree processes for issuing the Additional Restrictions Grants using the £2.584million top-up recently provided by government, taking account of the need to issue the grants as quickly as possible whilst targeting key local sectors that are affected by the new lockdown; and

(3)      That the interim Executive Director Housing Neighbourhoods & Communities be granted delegated authority, in consultation with the Acting Chief Finance Officer, to determine criteria and agree processes for issuing payments to Brighton & Hove licensed private hire and Hackney Carriage drivers.