Small Business Discretionary Grants Scheme
Following the government’s announcement of a further discretionary grant scheme on 1 May, the council will be administering this support to small and micro businesses who have not been eligible for any other support measures to date. This is an important part of the work taking place to support the local economy and help protect local jobs during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Grants of £2,500, £5,000, £7,500 or £10,000 will be available for small and micro businesses in the borough linked to their level of fixed property overheads costs as part of the Small Business Discretionary Grants Scheme.
Businesses must also be able to demonstrate a significant loss of income as a result of the impact of COVID-19. To be eligible the business must have fewer than 50 employees, occupy a property with a rateable value of up to £51,000 or part of a property with a rateable value of up to £51,000. The business must also not be eligible for any other government schemes including (but not limited to):
• Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
• Small Business Grant Fund
• Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant
• The Fisheries Response Fund
• Domestic Seafood Supply Scheme (DSSS)
• The Zoos Support Fund
• The Dairy Hardship Fund.
Other than minor variations, most other councils across Hampshire are using their own adaptation of the policy principles template that our Revenues team has developed for the scheme, showing good partnership working and to enable a consistent scheme across the county.
The application window will launch on Monday (25 May) and businesses will need to complete an application form by 4.30pm on Friday 5 June. For more information on the eligibility criteria and to apply, please visit [http://]www.basingstoke.gov.uk/COVID-19-business-support-and-grants.
Community hub update
To date, the Basingstoke and Deane Community Hub has responded to 1,350 requests from vulnerable residents requesting access to food supplies and prescription deliveries and we are now starting to see a downward trend for the numbers of enquiries the team is receiving. As well as taking calls and triaging to local hubs, the team is working closely with the county council to carry out welfare checks on residents that the county have been unable to make contact with.
Following a £200,000 payment to Basingstoke Voluntary Action to help provide this vital support to vulnerable residents, local community groups were encouraged to apply for a grant to help pay for food supplies and other costs being incurred. To date, £159,000 of funding has been paid to 20 organisations.
If you are aware of any residents that need help and do not have support available from family or friends, please direct them to the Coronavirus Hampshire Helpline on 0333 370 4000 so that they can be looked after by the Community Hub and given access to the relevant local support.
Household waste recycling centres to open longer
Hampshire County Council will be extending opening hours of all household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) to 6pm from Saturday 23 May 2020
Further information on new measures in place at Hampshire HWRCs is available at: Coronavirus and waste services