Decision details


Approval for adoption of Additional Restrictions Grant policy 2022

Decision Maker: Chief Executive

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

The deadline for disbursing the Government’s third round of Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) funding (for which updated guidance was issued on 30 December 2021), is 31 March 2022.  A new Additional Restrictions Grant policy therefore had to be determined and approved under urgency provisions in order to administer a new discretionary grant scheme for businesses within the timescale specified by Government.

 

Decision:

Resolved

 

(1)           That Revenues and Benefits could proceed with the launch and administration of a new Additional Restrictions Grant scheme in line with the Additional Restrictions policy 2022 approved by the Chief Executive.

 

Reasons for the decision:

The deadline for disbursing the Government’s third round of Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) funding (for which updated guidance was issued on 30 December 2021), is 31 March 2022.  A new Additional Restrictions Grant policy therefore had to be determined and approved under urgency provisions in order to administer a new discretionary grant scheme for businesses within the timescale specified by Government.

 

Alternative options considered:

The following alternative options have been identified and rejected for the reasons as set out below.

 

Option 1: Non-adoption of the policy developed and proposed – this option was rejected because it would have run counter to the Government’s guidance to use the third round of the Additional Restrictions Grant funding to support businesses severely impacted by the Omicron variant.  The policy therefore includes business sectors which were not eligible to receive a mandatory Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant.

 

Wards Affected: (All Wards);

Declarations: None.

Subject to Urgent Proceedings: A report notifying of the urgent action taken will be submitted to the 7 March 2022 Executive meeting

Contact: Robert Jolley, Assistant Director Growth & Economy Email: robert.jolley@cherwell-dc.gov.uk Tel: 01295 221688.

Urgent item?: Yes

Publication date: 11/02/2022

Date of decision: 25/01/2022

Accompanying Documents: