Scarborough borough businesses hit hard by coronavirus set to receive share of up to £46m in emergency funding

Businesses across Scarborough are set to receive their share of up to £46 million in emergency funding to help those in the borough hit hardest by the coronavirus crisis.
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Scarborough Council’s chief executive Michael Greene has approved the payment of Government-funded Covid-19 Business Support grants using emergency powers.

The decision, taken on Tuesday (31st) after consultation with the authority’s cabinet, allows the council to distribute the funds to those businesses in need.

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Shops, cafes, restaurants, and other hospitality and leisure businesses are among those eligible for relief from the fund.

Scarborough Town Hall. Picture: JPI Media/ Richard PonterScarborough Town Hall. Picture: JPI Media/ Richard Ponter
Scarborough Town Hall. Picture: JPI Media/ Richard Ponter

Businesses with a rateable value of up to £15,000 will get a grant of £10,000. Businesses with a rateable value of between £15,000 and £51,000 will get a £25,000 grant.

A report that was prepared for Mr Greene by the council’s corporate finance manager Kerry Metcalfe added: "The government has recognised that the value of the business support grants is substantial and, to provide the required cash flow, has agreed to pay local authorities estimated sums upfront, prior to the grants being paid out to beneficiaries.

“The government has announced that the grant funding will be paid to local authorities on April 1 and it is anticipated that the council’s allocation could be up to £46 million.

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“The data needed to process the grants will need to be entered onto the council’s business rates system and audit controls, checks and balances will be put in place to manage the process.

“Local taxation officers will start to process the data prior to April 1 to allow grant payments to start to be made as soon as the funding becomes available, however due to the volumes involved the grants will not all be processed that day.

“Officers will work seven days a week to get the grants processed and the payment of grants will be a key priority for the council.”

The grants will only be payable to businesses that are ratepayers within the business rates system with applications processed by Scarborough Council.

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For more information or to apply to the council for a grant visit https://www.scarborough.gov.uk/node/7948A message from the Editor:

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