The Discretionary Business Grant Scheme was announced by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) on 1^st May 2020 and outlined in detailed guidance on 13^th May 2020, and further guidance on 22^nd May. This report outlines how Brentwood Borough Council will locally administer this discretionary scheme, aimed at businesses that were not eligible for either of the two previous Small Business Grant Fund or the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Fund, to support the Government’s Covid-19 response.

The Grants to be awarded are at total discretion of the Council, however BEIS has set down eligible criteria which must be met by each business making an application. The department has also indicated types of businesses which should be given priority.

The Emergency Committee is being called to make the decision to adopt the Brentwood Discretionary Scheme. There is an urgency to award the grants as soon as possible. The expectation is that they will be paid out early June. If the adoption of a scheme is not approved promptly, this could delay vital and necessary income being received by businesses of the Borough of Brentwood.

The Committee is being asked to delegate authority to the Section 151 Officer to administer the Brentwood’s Discretionary Business Grant Scheme and to make technical adjustments if necessary.

After a full discussion, Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Nolan SECONDED the recommendations in the report.

Members are asked to:

R1.      To approve the Discretionary Business Grant Scheme attached as Appendix A.

R2.      The committee delegates authority to the Director of Corporate Resources (Section 151 Officer), in consultation with the Leader, to administer the Brentwood’s Discretionary Business Grant Scheme and is authorised to make technical scheme amendments in line with Government guidance.

A recorded vote was requested and taken.  Members voted as follows:

FOR: Cllrs Aspinell, Dr Barrett, Hossack, Keeble, Mynott, Naylor, Nolan, Parker,

Mrs Pearson and Poppy (10)

AGAINST: (0)

ABSTAIN: (0)

The MOTION a was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY.