Highland Council committee gives green light to new Covid Discretionary Grant Scheme to help businesses weather the coronavirus pandemic's financial impacts

LIFELINE grants of up to £2000 will be offered to Highland businesses from next week as part of ongoing efforts to provide vital Covid support.

Members of Highland Council’s economy and infrastructure committee today approved its new Covid Discretionary Grant Scheme, which is being funded through more than £1.5 million of Scottish Government cash.

Unlike previous funds, which were targeted towards specific groups or sectors impacted by the financial impact of the pandemic, the new fund will empower the council to direct additional support where they consider this to be necessary or justified based on the distinct characteristics of their local economies – including to those who may have fallen through the cracks of existing funding.

Chairwoman of the committee, Cllr Trish Robertson said: “The council has fulfilled a key role in delivering, on behalf of the Scottish Government, a number of grant schemes. To date our team of staff have processed grants of approximately £85m to over 8000 businesses.

“A benefit of this new discretionary grant is that it is not sector specific but is wide ranging and therefore potentially offers support for a wide range of businesses.

“Following approval today, we will now be finalising the guidance and preparing the online application form, with the aim to launch the grant scheme during next week (week commencing February 8).”

Details of the new scheme, including the deadline for all applications, will be published on the council’s website and promoted on social media channels.

Separately councillors were advised that a small additional grant allocation has been provided to the council from the Scottish Government, to provide for support for businesses in the Small Isles and Raasay who currently are unable to access the same Strategic Framework Business Fund grant support that is available to Tier 4 mainland Highland businesses.

Council staff are contacting these businesses directly to advise them on the opportunity to apply for support.

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