Agenda and minutes

To consider the appointment of a Chair for the duration of the meeting.

01/20 – APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR:  The Mayor, Councillor Stuart Martin, was unanimously appointed Chair for the meeting.

(4.02 pm)

COUNCILLOR STUART MARTIN IN THE CHAIR

02/20 – APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:  There were no apologies for absence

(4.04 pm)

Members to advise of any declarations of interest.

03/20 – DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:  There were no declarations of interest.

(4.04 pm)

of the meeting of 25 May 2018.

04/20 – MINUTES: The Minutes of the meeting of the Urgency Committee held on 25 May 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

(Four Members voted for the motion and there were seven abstentions)

(4.05 pm – 4.06 pm)

To determine whether to exclude the press and public during the consideration of any exempt information items.

05/20 – EXEMPT INFORMATION: There was no exempt information.

(4.06 pm)

To consider any questions under Standing Order 27.

06/20 - PUBLIC ARRANGEMENTS - QUESTIONS:  There were no questions to consider under Standing Order 27.

(4.06 pm)

The Revenues, Welfare and Customer Services Manager to submit a written report.

MATTER DEALT WITH UNDER DELEGATED POWERS

07/20 - DISCRETIONARY BUSINESS GRANT SCHEME 2020/21: The Revenues, Welfare and Customer Services Manager submitted a written report which sought approval for the Harrogate Borough Council Discretionary Business Grant Scheme 2020/21 which would provide support for businesses affected by Covid-19, and which was attached at Appendix 1.

The Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund (LADGF) was announced on 1 May 2020 to provide additional funding for businesses who were not eligible for the Small Business Grant and the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Grant Fund.  This Discretionary Grant scheme widened access to support to businesses who were struggling due to Covid-19 but were unable to access other grant funding.  Government guidance contained some criteria for allocation of the funds, but also allowed local authorities discretion in determining which cases to support.

On 20 May HBC was notified that the initial minimum allocation under the Local Authority Discretionary Grant Fund would be £2,370,250.  Grants could be disbursed to the value of £25,000, £10,000 or any amount under £10,000, at the discretion of the local authority.  Paragraphs 5.8 and 5.9 of the report set out the types of small businesses and small charities that the grants were predominantly aimed at.  The first phase of the allocation process had commenced, with bed and breakfasts and small charities being offered support first and it was proposed that payments would be made from the week commencing 15 June 2020.

It had been agreed that the matter was urgent as to wait for Council approval of the policy on 8 July, the next scheduled meeting of Council, would delay payments being made to businesses at a time of economic crisis.

The Revenues, Welfare and Customer Services Manager responded to questions relating to the eligibility of market traders, bed and breakfasts and small charities to claim the funding.

RESOLVED (UNANIMOUSLY):

That   (1) the proposed Harrogate Borough Council Discretionary Business Grant Scheme 2020/2021 (Appendix 1) be approved; and

          (2) authority be delegated to officers of the Council to administer the scheme and the Revenues, Welfare and Customer Services Manager to make technical scheme amendments to ensure it meets the criteria set and in line with Central Government guidance.

(4.07 pm – 4.42 pm)

(D)