Issue - meetings

To seek approval for revisions to the use of the remaining Additional Restrictions Support Grant funding.

PURPOSE

To seek approval for the proposed revisions to the use of the remaining Additional Restrictions Grant Funds.

REASONS FOR DECISION

1.    On 31 October 2020, the Government announced the introduction of additional support for Local Authorities under national and Local Covid Alert Level 3 restrictions. It is for local authorities, within the broad parameters set out in the ARG Guidance, to determine how to use the fund. The Council approved a scheme on the 14th November 2020 and revised the scheme in January 2021 following the second lock down period and again in July 2021 after the end of the restrictions period.

2.    The remaining budget must be committed by 31^st March 2022. The recommendations and revised proposals reflect the amount of money available, the lifting of all restrictions in summer 2021 and the transition from response to recovery with a new emphasis on assisting businesses to recover and invest.

DECISION

The Executive noted the corrections to the report and resolved:

1.    To approve the proposals for the use of the remaining ARG grant as set out in paragraph 10.

2.    To delegate authority to Strategic Head of Economy and Growth in consultation with the Head of Finance and Property and Executive Member for Economy and Growth to agree the final policy detail.

3.    To delegate authority to Strategic Head of Economy and Growth in consultation with the Head of Finance and Property and Executive Member for Economy and Growth to agree any further changes to the use of ARG in response to arising situations and the limited time to commit the allocation.