Decision details

‘Phase 1’ of the Discretionary Grants Scheme was introduced via officer delegations and followed the Government advice/guidance for each scheme. ‘Phase 2’ was introduced following Executive on 14^th July 2020 and at that meeting Councillor Ellesmere informed councillors that a Phase 3 report would be tabled for the next meeting in August.

A letter from Government was received on 23^rd July 2020 meaning that that timetable needed to be shortened to enable the funding to be paid out locally by 28 August 2020 and a Portfolio Holder decision was taken on 30^th July 2020 to establish Phase 3 of the Grants.

However, by an email dated 31^st July 2020, following queries being raised about the programme closure process, the Government confirmed that the 28^th August 2020 would be the deadline for applications with the 30^th September 2020 being the date by which the final payments had to be made. This decision will enable Phase 4 to be launched to meet the Government deadline of 28^th August 2020 for applications to be received.

To authorise the Chief Operating Officer to amend the Discretionary Grant Scheme policy as set out in Appendix 1 to enable a Phase 4 application process to start, in accordance with Section 2 of the report, and to authorise the Chief Executive to administer and determine the grants to the categories of business set out in paragraph 2.5 (i) - (iv) of the report.

Reasons for decision: To set an appropriate policy framework for Phase 4 of the Discretionary Grant scheme and to administer / determine the grants;

To enable arrangements to be made for the administration of Phase 4 applications within the Government’s new timetable.

Note: This decision has been certified as being exempt from call-in to enable the process to start and grants to be issued prior to the Government’s revised deadline for the use of the money.