City of York Council will distribute government grants to York businesses as quickly as possible, following an emergency decision session this afternoon (Thursday, 5 November).
The decision comes after the government issued detailed guidance on delivering the three new grant schemes, which had been announced over the past two weeks.
The decision by the executive member for finance and performance Cllr Nigel Ayre means the council will swiftly process the government-prescribed grant allocations, this will cover:
- the period of national lockdown;
- the brief period whilst York was in Tier 2 of local restrictions;
- the new grant for sectors which have received no previous government support.
Businesses will soon be able to apply for the following grants.
Lockdown Local Restriction Scheme
Business forced to close by law under national lockdown from 5 November will receive:
- for properties with a rateable value of £15k or under – grants to be £1,334 per month, or £667 per two weeks;
- for properties with a rateable value of between £15k-£51k – grants to be £2,000 per month, or £1,000 per two weeks;
- for properties with a rateable value of £51k or over – grants to be £3,000 per month, or £1,500 per two weeks.
Tier 2 Local Restriction Scheme
Businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors, B&Bs and hotels will receive a proportion of the following monthly grants to reflect the 19 days spent in Tier 2:
- for properties with a rateable value of £15k or under – grants of £934 per month
- for properties with a rateable value above £15k and below £51k – grants of £1,400 per month
- for properties with a rateable value of £51k or above – grants of £2,100 per month.
Sector support
A new government grant aimed at businesses which have not previously received support, including nightclubs, dance halls, discotheques, sexual entertainment venues and hostess bars, was introduced from 1 November 2020.
However, this will be superseded from 5 November by the lockdown restriction scheme.
- for properties with a rateable value of £15k or under – grants of £667 per 14-day period
- for properties with a rateable value above £15k and below £51k – grants of £1,000 per 14-day period
- for properties with a rateable value of £51k or above – grants of £1,500 per 14-day period.
Fast payers
Further to the decision made today, a decision session will take place next week to agree how best to use the discretionary element of the government’s grant funding, in order to best support local businesses across the city.
Cllr Nigel Ayre said: “Our staff previously put in a huge effort to distribute over £110m of support to businesses in the summer, resulting in York being one of the fastest paying councils for business support during the first national lockdown, and this time around, we are working hard to do the same.
“We have developed a system to pay out these these payments into business bank accounts as soon as possible. There have been three grant schemes announced in quick succession, so we’re also working on a process which helps businesses easily apply for everything they are entitled to.
“Now that we have received the full detailed guidance, we are also working to identify how best to spend the discretionary parts of the scheme.
“We are working with businesses and partners across the city to look at the fairest and most effective way to use that money, in order to protect businesses and jobs.”