Decision details

Guildford COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund 2021 - revision

Decision Maker: Exchequer Services Manager

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decision:

To revise the decision made on 31 March 2022 regarding a new COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund scheme.

To amend the maximum amount of relief from 50% to 75%.
To expand the property description list to include “Educational centre and premises (not owned by a local authority)” we will contact the ratepayer(s) of the properties affected
To run a third scheme for properties with a rateable value of 100,001 to 200,000 inclusive

Reasons for the decision:

The government expects Billing Authorities to use their discretionary powers to provide relief to businesses. Provided we do not exceed our maximum allocation they will reimburse us via S31 grant.

The relief will help local businesses at minimal cost to the council.

The fund is limited and we believed would be used by the first two schemes. There are however funds left so we are running a third scheme.

Alternative options considered:

Whilst not adopting the schemes is in theory an option, the expectation of both the government and business is that we will provide the relief.

Publication date: 29/07/2022

Date of decision: 29/07/2022