Agenda item

This report follows up on the one considered by Cabinet at the October meeting on the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and how best to support recovery; setting out the resource requirements associated with supporting economic recovery. 

The Service Lead Growth, Development and Prosperity presented this follow-up report regarding the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and how best to support recovery. The report sought to take stock of the current situation and put forward recommendations regarding deploying the funds being made available through the Additional Restrictions Grant as well as the recruitment of additional economic development capacity. It was also recommended that Cabinet receive a further report setting out an assessment of the programme level resources that could be made marshalled to support economic recovery. He updated members saying the date the scheme would go live was now 9 December 2020.

During discussions concern was raised for taxi drivers and the impact the pandemic had had on their business due to considerably reduced trade. The Service Lead Growth, Development and Prosperity stated that the policy was aimed at businesses who could show a significant impact on their turnover during the period of the national restrictions.   Taxi drivers were potentially eligible and the policy could be updated to make this more explicit.  It was requested that this information on funding support be made available to taxi drivers.

Cabinet endorsed the letter that the Licensing & Enforcement Committee had agreed to send to Government in relation to the taxi trade.

The Vice-chair thanked officers for getting the scheme together. He emphasised the need to nurture innovation and supported utilising some of the funding to support business adaptation and new business opportunities that could benefit the economy and reduce unemployment.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1.     endorsed the proposed spend framework for the deployment of monies that have been made available under the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG)

2.     approved the proposed discretionary grants policy to deploy £1m of these funds including the eligibility criteria, local priorities and grant payment levels as set out at Appendix A,

3.     grant delegated authority to the Service Lead Growth, Development and Prosperity in consultation with the Leader, Deputy Leader, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Chief Finance Officer to agree such further changes to this policy as may be required,

4.     grant delegated authority to the Chief Finance Officer to make any required technical changes to the Scheme,

5.     agreed that prior to the Service Lead Growth, Development and Prosperity taking a decision under the scheme that there was consultation with a group of members comprising the Leader, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holders for Finance and Corporate Services & Covid-19 Response and Recovery and two Conservative members, one of the Independent members and one Cranbrook Voice member to be nominated by the respective Groups,

6.     endorsed the proposal to recruit two additional Senior Economic Development Officer posts for a fixed term of two years,

7.     receives a further report on the programme level resources needed to support and sustain economic recovery including the balance of the ARG funds, and

8.      grant delegated authority to the Service Lead Revenues, Benefits and Customer Services in consultation with the Leader, Deputy Leader, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Chief Finance Officer to approve the scheme policy for the Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open) Scheme. 

RECOMMENDED to Council:

to fund the two Senior Economic Development Officer roles for a two year fixed term through the business rate retention pilot reserve.

REASON:

To help to mitigate the impact of the second national lockdown on businesses in the District and ensure that sufficient capacity was in place to deliver a programme of measures and initiatives to support economic recovery from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.