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Conservatives concerned over administration of business grants

May 15, 2020

CONSERVATIVES RAISE CONCERNS OVER ADMINISTRATION OF SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS FUNDING
Conservative Group Finance Spokesperson Joe Miller has today raised concerns that the Labour administration was not properly managing the small business grants scheme.
The Conservative Government has provided £83 million to Brighton & Hove City Council to be used to support local small businesses, however the Labour administration has not administered the full amount yet and it has been reported that the council has begun to discuss how it can keep the unspent part of the grant.
Cllr Miller said he was concerned that the Council was discussing keeping unspent funds when many small businesses were still waiting on grants to be administered.
“Small businesses and self-employed workers in the retail leisure and hospitality sector underpin our city’s local economy and supporting these businesses and the local jobs they create must be a priority for the council.  We know that there are many Brighton small businesses in financial stress that are waiting on payments and the focus should be on expediting these as soon as possible, not on lobbying the Government to keep parts of this grant for other uses” Cllr Miller said.
Cllr Miller said that he had received correspondence about a small business in Old Steine that demonstrated the frustrations that many local businesses were facing.
“The Conservative Group has been contacted by a small business employing 5 people based in Old Steine Brighton” Cllr Miller said.
“This business was keen to apply for the small business grants funding to help keep financially afloat during the COVID-19 crisis and says that it contacted the Council the day it was announced by the Government.
“However, despite efforts to engage with the council and follow its processes, including promptly applying through the council’s portal, this business has still not received the grant. 
“This case raises a number of issues that need to be addressed:
  • Delay in processing the application 
  • Inability to contact the council
  • Incorrect administration of the scheme
This small business is unsurprisingly concerned it like many others is facing cash flow issues, like many others, it frustrated to be having so much difficulty and having to expend so much time chasing up a grant that had been promised by the Government.
“It is understandable that this small business is frustrated when seeing communications from the council stating that the council is lobbying to keep the unspent parts of funds received from the Government when they are yet to receive support that they have been promised.
“The Conservative Group recognises the essential role small business plays in Brighton and Hove’s economy and the many jobs that they support and we will continue to stand up for them and local workers” he said.
Cllr Miller said that he had written to the Council CEO and asked him to investigate the matter further.
 
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