Decision details

Cabinet is asked to consider a report on supporting new and existing small businesses through enabling grants, shop front improvement grants, provision of retail training, and additional funding for Choose Work.

RECOMMENDED TO THE COUNCIL

That (a) the establishment of the Shop Front Improvement Grant Scheme and Provision of Retail Training for independent retailers as set out in sections 4.2 (as amended) and 4.3 to 4.5 of the agenda report supported by £168,800 allocated from the Pooled Business Rates Fund and £32,000 from reserves be approved and (b) the Head of Commercial Services be authorised to approve shop front improvement grants under the Scheme.

RESOLVED

(1)  That the continuation of the Enabling Grant Scheme for new and existing small businesses as set out in section 4.1 of the agenda report supported by £71,428 allocated from the Pooled Business Rates Fund and that the Head of Commercial Services be authorised to approve grants under the Scheme.

(2)  That the allocation of additional funding for Chichester District Council’s Choose Work Programme as set out in section 4.6 supported by £32,000 from the Pooled Business Rates Fund be implemented.

(3)  That a record of all grants allocated under the Enabling Grant Scheme and Shop Front Improvement Grant Scheme be reported to the Grants and Concessions Panel to ensure co-ordination of the approval processes.

[Note In the recommendation above section 4.2 was amended by the Cabinet by the addition after ‘Selsey’ and before the full stop of ‘, funded from £168,000 and in addition a further £32,000 from reserves for East Wittering local centre’]