New Covid Discretionary Grant Scheme For Businesses Ready To Go
4th February 2021
Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee have approved a new discretionary grant scheme to mitigate some of the short-term financial challenges being experienced by businesses adversely impacted by restrictions and regulations introduced since October to control the spread of COVID-19.
In recognition of the significant financial hardships and risks for businesses as a result of COVID-19 protective measures, the Scottish Government has made available a range of grants to businesses which are being delivered by The Highland Council, including a new discretionary grant of up to £1,525,924.
Unlike previous funds which have been targeted towards specific groups or sectors impacted by COVID-19, this new wide ranging Discretionary Fund will empower the Council to direct additional financial support to specific groups or sectors within the business community where they consider this to be necessary or justified based on the distinct characteristics of their local economies, including those who may potentially be falling through the current funding gap.
Chair of the Committee, Cllr Trish Robertson said: "The Council has fulfilled a key role in delivering, on behalf of the Scottish Government, a number of grant schemes. To date our team of staff have processed grants of approx. £85m to over 8000 businesses.
"A benefit of this new discretionary grant is that it is not sector specific but is wide ranging and therefore potentially offers support for a wide range of businesses.
“Following approval today, we will now be finalising the guidance and preparing the online application form, with the aim to launch the grant scheme during next week (week commencing 8 Feb)."
Details of the new scheme including the deadline for all applications will be published on the Council's website and promoted on social media channels.
Separately Councillors were advised that a small additional grant allocation has been provided to the Council from the Scottish Government, to provide for support for businesses in the Small Isles and Raasay who currently are unable to access the same Strategic Framework Business Fund grant support that is available to Tier 4 mainland Highland businesses. Council staff are contacting these businesses directly to advise them on the opportunity to apply for support.
Related Businesses
Related Articles
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
Households across Scotland have received £4.1 billion in relief since the Council Tax Reduction scheme was introduced in 2013. People on low incomes are eligible for the benefit if they live in Scotland - there is no equivalent in England where most councils require each household to contribute a minimum amount of council tax, irrespective of ability to do so.
The Highland Council is preparing to carry out improvement works in Thurso at Ormlie Road and at The Mall riverside path adjacent to Janet Street. The scope of works on Ormlie Road will include junction improvements between Castlegreen Road and Juniper Drive with new drop kerbs and tactile paving and some surface repairs.
A Highland-wide partnership launched earlier in 2024 to support people on their journey towards, into and within employment is looking forward to a New Year in 2025 full of exciting opportunities designed to help hundreds more people across the Highlands unlock their work potential. Work.
The Highland Council is delighted to share that its Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme has won the Outstanding Project Award at the Scottish Green Energy Awards. Described by Scottish Renewables as a "pioneering clean power scheme", this £7 million project demonstrates the incredible impact that can be achieved through combined public and private sector investment.
The ambitious yet focused ‘Highland Investment Plan' is committed to addressing our asset challenges over the next twenty years. By using a place based approach, to ensure a more integrated community offering through the creation of new community facilities.
Applications to the Inverness Winter Payments Scheme, which is fully funded by the Inverness Common Fund, have already been awarded to 1,035 eligible households within the 7 specified Inverness Wards. Leader of Inverness Area, Councillor Ian Brown said: "Since the Scheme was opened to applications for this winter, already £114,885 has been awarded to people who live in the eligible Wards of Aird and Loch Ness, Inverness West, Inverness Central, Inverness Ness-side, Inverness Millburn, Culloden and Ardersier and Inverness South Wards.
The first Highland-wide virtual jobs fair held last month has proved to be a hit with participants and businesses. The week-long virtual event, which was delivered by the Local Employability Partnership for the West - The Highland Council, Skills Development Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Department for Work and Pensions, Developing the Young Workforce and UHI North West and Hebrides was timed to coincide with Scottish Careers Week 2024.
