Support for struggling businesses

North Ayrshire Council is to roll-out further support to struggling businesses.

A new Local Authority Discretionary Fund will help those that may have fallen through the gaps of support available through existing Scottish government schemes.

The new discretionary fund was announced in November as part of an additional £185 million in response to the continued impact of Covid-19 on the economy.

Previously councils administered financial support on behalf of the Scottish Government but the new fund allows local authorities to use their knowledge of their business base to help those that may have missed out.

The council has agreed to support:

▪ Businesses that supply goods or services to those which have been closed or restricted;

▪ Businesses facing hardship as an indirect consequence of restrictions but have not been eligible to receive financial support through the Strategic Framework Business Fund;

▪ Businesses which do not have business premises and are therefore ineligible for grants attached to the rates system.

This approach has been agreed across the three Ayrshire local authorities.

North Ayrshire Council has been given £461,793 which is to be doubled when the Scottish Government announces its budget shortly.

North Ayrshire Local Authority Discretionary Fund will provide a payment of £2,000 per business to support immediate financial hardship.

Council leader Joe Cullinane said: ‘Our business team has done an amazing job of processing hundreds of applications to help support local business during these difficult last few months.

‘They have excellent relationships with businesses and their representatives so will be acutely aware of the problems so many are currently suffering from.

‘We are glad that the discretionary fund will give them scope to help those that have fallen through the gaps and haven’t had access to that lifeline support over the last few months.

‘We would urge any business to please keep an eye on our social media channels and to apply for this new fund if you believe you are eligible.’

Meanwhile, an innovative £500,000 fund has been set up to support economic recovery and tackle climate change as part of North Ayrshire Council’s Green New Deal.

It will support the creation of fair and green jobs whilst supporting businesses to becoming ‘greener’ through reducing carbon emissions and developing new processes and technologies.

The commitment is part of the council’s net-zero carbon emissions target for 2030 following the declaration of a climate emergency in 2019.

The proposal for a Green Jobs Fund is part of the council’s economic recovery and renewal approach agreed by cabinet in September 2020. Grants of up £10,000 will support businesses and larger-scale projects (£1m plus) could seek up to £30,000 of support.