Community Resilience Group Weekly Briefing – 6  – 12 February 2021

Launch of Discretionary Business Grant Scheme

This week the Council launched its discretionary business grant scheme.  This is a one off £2,000 grant to any business who have been unable to secure alternative grant support and seen a significant reduction in trade. It is to help micro, small or medium sized businesses and is open to all business types including Limited Companies, Sole Traders, Trusts and Partnerships.

Applications will be considered on a first come first served basis

The scheme is open until 3 March 2021

Core Criteria for businesses applying:

  • The business must not have secured a grant from any of the grant schemes in operation (or proposed) since October 2020.
  • By exception, if income (claimed/awarded for period 1 November 2020 to 29 January 2021) from the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme is less than the value of the Discretionary Grant Scheme (£2,000) – a top-up grant will be provided to make up the difference.
  • The business was trading on Monday 2 November 2020 (i.e. business is not in administration, insolvency or received notice to be struck off Companies House).
  • The business must be able to demonstrate a significant reduction in trade (50% or more) due to COVID-19 restrictions.
  • The business is a Small or Micro business and employs 50 employees or fewer.
  • The business is based within the Highland Council area.

Further details are available at: www.highland.gov.uk/discretionarygrantscheme

Details on how to apply can be found at: www.highland.gov.uk/info/20016/coronavirus/962/discretionary_grant_scheme/2

Over the coming weeks the Scottish Government will be making available a range of other grants to businesses, including Newly Self Employed, Mobile Close Contact, Large Self-catering and B&B’s. As information becomes available from the Scottish Government, the Council will provide guidance and detail on its website as to who is eligible and how to apply for grant.