Following the First Minister’s announcement on 12th March, the Welsh Government will be introducing a further non-domestic linked grant scheme from 15th March 2021.
This fund is now closed.
The purpose of the NDR linked grant schemes is to support businesses with their immediate cash flow and to help them survive the economic consequences of additional restrictions necessary to control the spread of Covid-19.
These restrictions commenced on Friday 4th December and were extended by the First Minister in his announcement on 12th March 2021. The scheme being introduced on 15th March 2021 will help businesses affected by coronavirus restrictions meet operating costs falling within the 2020/21 financial year to 31st March 2021.
Businesses that registered their details and received an NDR linked grant for the schemes introduced in December 2020 and subsequently extended, do not need to take any further action as the Council will be making an automated payment under this new scheme during week commencing 22nd March 2021.
New businesses or qualifying businesses that occupy an eligible hereditament, that have not previously registered their details or have not been awarded a grant via the schemes introduced in December, will need to complete a short registration form. Businesses needing to register will need to be liable as the ratepayer to the local authority and in occupation of the qualifying hereditament on 1st March 2021.
The registration process for this grant will only be available from Monday 15th March 2021 until 5pm on 31st March 2021.
The two new NDR linked grant schemes introduced by the Welsh Government in March 2021 are as follows.
i) Grant A:
A £4,000 cash grant payment for hospitality, tourism and leisure businesses and their supply chain and retail businesses with Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) qualifying hereditaments with a rateable value of £12,000 or less.
ii) Grant B:
A £5,000 cash grant payment for hospitality, tourism and leisure businesses and their supply chain and retail businesses occupying hereditaments with a rateable value between £12,001 and £500,000.
The Restrictions Business Fund Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) Linked Grants - March 2021 Extension is separate to and distinct from earlier rounds of NDR linked grant support. All previous NDR linked grant schemes are now closed to new applicants and there are no exceptions to this. Registering for the Restrictions Business Fund Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) Linked Grants - March 2021 Extension does not enable businesses to apply retrospectively for previous or any other grant schemes.
Q. Do I need to apply if I received a payment in December (and subsequently extended)?
A. No - If you registered your details and received an NDR linked grant for the schemes introduced in December 2020 and subsequently extended, you do not need to take any further action as the Council will be making an automated payment under this new scheme during week commencing 22nd March 2021.
Q. If I have not previously applied for or been awarded a grant can I register for this grant?
A. If you are a new business or a qualifying business that occupies an eligible hereditament, that has not previously registered their details or been awarded a grant via the schemes introduced in December, you will need to complete the on-line registration form before 5pm on 31st March 2021. Businesses needing to register will need to be liable as the ratepayer to the local authority and in occupation of the qualifying hereditament on 1st March 2021.
Q. Can I retrospectively claim previous Non-Domestic linked grant schemes?
A. No - All previous NDR linked grant schemes are now closed to new applicants and there are no exceptions to this.
Q. I have accessibility issues – how should I complete the form?
A. If there are any accessibility issues for you that might prevent you from completing an online application form please call us on 01545 570881 where you will be directed for assistance.
Q. How must bank statements be presented? Can these be screen shots of my banking app?
A. You will need to provide a copy of a recent bank statement showing your name, address, bank sort code and bank account no. However, screen shots of banking apps will be accepted as long as they show the above details.
Q. What happens if I disagree with the decision of the Local Authority?
A. The Council is administering the scheme in accordance with the criteria and guidance set by the Welsh Government and there is no formal appeal process.
Extended Restrictions Business Fund Discretionary Grant
The Discretionary Fund is now closed. Welsh Government continue to consider the case for further funding from April onwards. Please continue to check the Business Wales website for updates.
Further information on financial support is available through Business Wales