A new discretionary grant scheme targeting businesses experiencing significant financial challenges could get the backing of councillors next week.
More than £500,000 will be made available to businesses that have received limited financial support since October.
Mark Flynn convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee said: “The council has already stepped up to administer more than £28m of support to almost 3000 city businesses, but we know that some have slipped through the net.
“That’s why we want to use this latest sum to help those directly impacted by restrictions on other firms, for example those in the supply chain or those that have been more generally affected by reduced footfall, as well as businesses without premises who have therefore been ineligible for previous grants.”
The grants to business will be met through an allocation of £525,570 awarded by the Scottish Government to Dundee City Council for operation and delivery of the scheme.
Dundee City Council’s discretionary Business Support Scheme will initially offer a one-off payment of £2000 per business, which could see up to 262 grants paid out before the end of this financial year.
To qualify for a grant, applicants would have to fall into one of the following categories:
• businesses that supply goods or services to those who have been closed or restricted (eg home-based B2B businesses (caterers; events/conference organisers, bands, DJs, photographers etc.) cleaning businesses; tradespeople; facilities management businesses, food/drink suppliers, AV companies);
• businesses facing hardship as an indirect consequence of the current travel restrictions (eg kennels and catteries; tour guides; removals); or
• businesses who do not have business premises and are therefore ineligible for grants attached to the rates system.
Steven Rome depute convener of the city development committee added: “We have had discussions with the Federation of Small Businesses, Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce and colleagues at neighbouring councils to try to ensure that any funding we offer helps those who need it, and is as consistent as possible across the wider region.
If the policy and resources committee on Monday (January 25) agrees the measures it is hoped that the scheme will go live within a week of approval. Details of how to apply will follow.
Dundee City Council
Dundee draws skilled workers from a 60-minute catchment population of 640,000 and has a local population of over 140,000. The availability of a large pool of highly skilled labour is a key feature in the Dundee economy. Flexibility in the labour force is currently more prevalent in Dundee than in Scotland as a whole. All forms of labour market flexibility - part-time, temporary employment, self-employment and shift work - are widely operational within the city. Labour force stability in the city is excellent, enabling companies to plan with confidence. Labour turnover levels are less than 5% and absenteeism averages 2%.
