Issue details

Summary

This report will provide details of the latest Government measures to assist business ratepayers in Medway in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, through the Covid-19 Additional Relief Funding (CARF), Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant (OHLG) and the Energy Bills Rebate.

The Cabinet will be asked to agree the two schemes and scheme eligibility.

Access to Information

The report together with any other documents being considered (unless they contain exempt information) would normally be available for inspection 5 clear days before the decision is taken by the Cabinet. Copies are available on the Council's website or requested from Democratic Services Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TR or email democratic.services@medway.gov.uk If you wish to submit information to the Cabinet about the item please also contact Democratic Services.

It is noted that the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements)(Meetings and Access to Information)(England) Regulations 2012 requires 28 clear days’ notice of the intention to make a key decision. On this occasion it has not been practicable to provide 28 clear days’ notice, nor 5 clear days’ notice, therefore Section 11 (Cases of special urgency) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements)(Meetings and Access to Information)(England) Regulations 2012 has been complied with. The Chairman of the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee has agreed that consideration of this report is urgent and cannot be reasonably deferred until the next Cabinet meeting on 5 April 2022 because it is imperative that the Council takes urgent action to support businesses by implementing the Government scheme promptly in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and to award the funding before 31 March 2022.