Decision details

Having consulted with the Leader of the Council and Finance Portfolio Holder to delegate to the S.151 Officer the ability to:

• administer the Grant Schemes in accordance with Government Guidance; and the local key principles; and
• recover the costs associated with the above in accordance with s.31 of the Local Government Act 2003.

As announced and required by Government in October 2020 and howsoever amended until such time as they are discontinued when this delegation shall also cease subject to any appropriate transition arrangements having been concluded and all costs appropriately recovered.

To ensure businesses receive the grants monies from government to support them during the Covid 19 crisis.

As there is currently no regular system in place for the administration of the Grant Scheme this would fall for determination by Full Council. The next Council meeting is not until 23 February 2021, without taking this urgent decision the awarding of the grants will be unacceptably delayed and businesses will suffer as a result potentially become insolvent leading to the loss of local jobs.

There is no financial impact on the Council as the government is reimbursing the Council via a Section 31 grant.

No alternatives available as waiting to agree the new schemes at the next scheduled meeting of Full Council will result in a delay to implementation and therefore the availability of funding to qualifying businesses.