Decision - COVID-19 ADDITIONAL RELIEF FUND (CARF)

RESOLVED: That the Sub-Committee – (i) Agreed to the development of a CARF local scheme following the principles laid in this report; (ii) Agreed to delegate authority to the Executive Director Economy, Environment & Culture in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer to finalise the design of the CARF scheme, including the appropriate option for the level of awards, implementing its introduction and overseeing the allocation of awards in accordance with the timetable and principles of this report; (iii) Agreed to the development of an ARG local scheme following the new guidelines provided by government when they emerge and using the principles already established in the previous ARG scheme which was approved by Members of the Policy & Resources Recovery Sub-Committee in November 2020; (iv) Delegated authority to the Executive Director Economy, Environment & Culture in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer to finalise the design of the ARG scheme, implement its introduction and oversee the appropriate allocation of awards within the quickest timeframe possible.

The report proposed local schemes to distribute up to £6.912 million in Covid 19 Additional Relief Fund business rates relief and £721,124 in Additional Restrictions Grants to businesses affected by the pandemic and Omicron restrictions. It recommended delegating the final design and implementation of both schemes to the Executive Director Economy, Environment & Culture, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer.