Please provide a comprehensive list of business support measures that were provided by Devon County Council to offset the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, details regarding business and other grants that were available, including their qualification criteria and the statutory procedures that applied. Please include a list of forms and documents that businesses were required to submit in order to access these support measures.
It is understood that the local authority has a duty to provide this information pursuant to the principles of good public administration. Additionally, the central government imposed a duty on local authorities to administer these support schemes, including business grants, which inherently requires transparency in providing information to the public.
In accordance with the principles of good public administration and the duty imposed by central government to administer support measures, please provide detailed information about:
1. All business support measures and grants administered by your authority during the COVID-19 pandemic
From the list of schemes provided for which information is specifically requested, none of those schemes were administered by Devon County Council. To support the recovery from the impacts of Covid-19 on the Devon economy, Devon County Council’s Economy, Enterprise and Skills team worked together with local and district councils, businesses, third-sector organisations, colleges, and individuals on the Devon Recovery Fund. Further details are available here Devon Recovery Fund
Devon County Council also received European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) funding from government to deliver support to businesses. Devon County Council delivered this programme across the Heart of the South West area (Devon, Somerset, Plymouth and Torbay) under the name Growth Support Kickstart Grants Programme. For this programme, business were asked to complete an application form and submit evidence of the cost of the support or items needed, such as quotes.
2. The qualification criteria for each scheme
Open to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises located in Devon, Plymouth, Torbay or Somerset who meet all criteria to receive European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding.
3. The statutory procedure for applications
No statutory procedures were applicable.
4. Complete lists of required forms and documentation for applications Specifically, please provide information relating to, but not limited to, the following schemes:
– Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)
– Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS)
– Small Business Grant Fund (SBGF)
– Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF)
– Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG)
– Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG)
– Restart Grant
– Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS)
– Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)
– Business Grant Scheme
– Christmas Support Payment
– Recovery Fund Grant
– Local Authority Fund Grant
Please refer to responses to questions 1-3.