Local Authority Discretionary Grants – Highland Council.
Finally some news and it is not at all satisfactory and it took a Freedom of Information request to obtain it!
Finally some news and it is not at all satisfactory and it took a Freedom of Information request to obtain it!
“You asked for details on the grants paid out by the Council under the Local Authority Discretionary Grant scheme.
The Scottish Government provided the Council with an offer letter and associated guidance for a Discretionary Grant scheme on 15 December 2020. In accordance with the terms of the grant, the Council is currently in consultation with business representative groups around Highland seeking their input as to how best the Council could utilise this grant allocation.
Since this time, and with the increase in COVID-19 restrictions, the grant situation for business has changed and we are currently seeing the introduction of a number of new grant schemes from the Scottish Government. Until such time as we receive the final guidance and eligibility criteria for these respective schemes, it is impossible to determine which funding gaps exist for business and how best to direct the Discretionary Grant.
Therefore, there has been no grants paid to business from the Discretionary Grant funding provided to the Council from the Scottish Government. “
Questions asked were:-
1. Please advise the number of Local Authority C19 Discretionary Grants which have been awarded to Home Based Businesses since the first lockdown was announced on 23rd March 2020 to date by this Council
2. Please advise the value of grants made since the first lockdown was announce on 23rd March 2020 to date.
3. Please advise the nature / business types of home based business which received the LADG.
4. Please advise the total number of home based business which applied for a LADG from 23rd March 2020 to date.
5. Please advise the total number of applications for a LADG received by this Council a home based business from 23rd March 2020 to date which were refused.
6. Additionally please advise the total amount paid to date for all business under the LADG scheme by this Council from 23rd March 2020 to date.
7. Please advise the total amount this Council has been given to date for the LADG between 23rd March 2020 to date.
