Stratford-on-Avon District Council COVID-19 update - 10 June

Key updates - 10 June

• Discretionary Business Rates Grant Scheme
  
  The District Council's Discretionary Business Rates Grant scheme launched on Monday 8 June and 146 applications have already been received.
  
  The scheme will provide support to businesses that fall into a number of main priority areas:

• • Bed & Breakfasts which pay Council Tax
  • Small businesses in shared offices or other flexible workspaces
  • Regular market traders with fixed building costs
  • Charity properties in receipt of charitable business rates relief
    
    The District Council is also accepting applications from other Businesses significantly affected by COVID-19 who:

• • • are suppliers reliant on the retail hospitality and leisure industry who were not included within the original scheme
    • have a Rateable Value greater than £15k but are outside of the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors
    • have a Rateable Value marginally greater than £51k but could be considered as a small business
    • are a Small Business who are not eligible for Small Business Rate Relief as they occupy a second property with a combined value below £15k
    • are a business unique to the tourism sector within the Stratford District.

      Eligible businesses need to complete the online application by Friday 26 June and payments will be made the week commencing 29 June. 

• Business Rates Grant
  
  We have now paid out £30,190,000.00 to 2,453 businesses.

• Schedule of virtual Council meetings
  
  
  • 17 June - Planning Committee A
  • 30 June - Employment & Appointment Committee
  • 1 July - Planning Committee B
  • 8 July - Planning Committee A
  • 6 July - The Cabinet
  • 13 July - Full Council
  • 15 July - Planning Committee B
  • 22 July - Planning Committee A
  • 29 July Planning Committee B

To view previous meetings please visit: https://www.stratford.gov.uk/council-democracy/council-meeting-webcasts.cfm 

• Reopening Elizabeth House to the public
  
  The District Council is at an advanced stage in its planning for the reopening of Elizabeth House and has been making changes to the building to ensure that all visitors and staff are kept safe.

  We are waiting further guidance from the government early next week before we can provide a date as to when the offices will be open once more to members of the public.

Cllr Tony Jefferson, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council says: "The Discretionary Business Rates Grant Scheme is a welcome addition to the support we can offer to local businesses. However, £1.7 million may sound a lot but it will not satisfy all the needs. The good news is that applications are coming in from right across the District. As usual with central government initiatives, 'discretionary' means within pretty tight limits and we have to report back frequently on progress which has to be fast."