Covid 19 Business Grants Eligibility Criteria

Covid 19 Business Grants Eligibility Criteria

This page will provide you with details of the eligibility criteria and grant value for a range of Covid 19 business grants to support businesses through the Covid-19 restrictions.

It only includes information on grants that remain open for applications. For information on closed schemes, contact businesssupport@newcastle.gov.uk.

On this page:

Ventilation Grant Scheme Round 2

 The following criteria will apply:

  • The investment must be focused on the improvement of the ventilation system within a business premises within Newcastle upon Tyne.
  • The applicant must either be the property owner or have express permission from the property owner to enter into improvement works.
  • Applicants will be expected to demonstrate how the costs of the works they are proposing offers value for money. This ideally would be through the provision of multiple quotes. In exceptional circumstance we would consider alternatives where this isn’t possible; for instance, providing examples of costings for similar types of work elsewhere.
  • The grant will typically be paid retrospectively once evidence of spend has been provided; though we will consider providing an element of the grant up-front should the applicant make a sufficiently strong argument for it.
  • There is no minimum grant award; but strategic fit will be more difficult to justify for very small projects.
  • The maximum grant award is £10,000; though we may be willing to consider larger grants in exceptional circumstances.
  • We expect project costs to be external costs to the applicant. We will not reimburse internal charges e.g. internal staff time.
  • Only one grant will be awarded per property. Applicants wishing to secure funding for multiple properties will need to submit a separate application.
  • Applicants must be able to explain why grant funding is needed and explain why the work would not go ahead, or progress more slowly without a grant.
  • Applicants can ask for funding to cover up to 100% of the eligible costs.
  • Successful applicants will be asked to complete a short evaluation of the outcomes / impact and how the new installation has benefited the business.  This will take place approximately 6 months after completion.   

 Applicants are not eligible for support if:

  • They are in administration, are insolvent or where a striking-off notice has been made
  • The award of grant would breach subsidy allowance limits
  • The property has already received support through Round 1 of this scheme; unless clear added value can be demonstrated.

Audit checks will take place where you may be asked to support the evidence supplied. Should applicants be unable to provide satisfactory evidence, your application may be refused. If you have already received a grant, you will be required to return this to the Council. We reserve the right to request additional evidence at any time.

The type of improvements we are willing to make are:

  • Alterations, maintenance and/or refurbishment works that contribute to the improvement of indoor air quality within the premises (for example, this may include the installation/ replacement of openable windows or mechanical ventilation).

Grant award process

Potential applicants must first express an interest in the scheme by contacting PublicHealthAdmin@newcastle.gov.uk  with details of their proposed investment and the rough cost. Should this be deemed in line with our eligibility criteria, the potential applicant will then be issued with an application form. Within this form, applicants will be required to confirm how they meet the eligibility criteria for the funding. Applicants will also need to provide copies of quotes and any other evidence to support their application.

Applications will be considered by a panel of officers within the Public Health and Economic Development teams. The panel may decide to approve, reject, or ask for further clarification or amendments to the proposals. There is no appeals process. Applications will be considered in the order in which they are submitted. When the funds are fully allocated, the scheme will close. Potential applicants should submit their applications as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

 Successful applicants will receive written confirmation stating that by accepting the grant payment, they confirm they are eligible for the grant scheme, including that any payments accepted will be subject to subsidy control requirements. All work must be completed, and invoices paid before submitting your claim.  All claims must be submitted to the Council for payment before the end of February 2024, or within 6 months of being issued with the offer letter (whichever is earliest). This Claim form will clearly show what work has taken place; it will include copies of invoices; and copies of bank statements showing the applicant has spent the money. Once processed by the Economic Development team, payments will be made directly to the approved recipients’ bank account by electronic transfer (typically via BACs). Given our funding constraints, we may be unable to pay a claim if it is submitted after the end of February 2024.

Digital Tech Resilience Grant

The Digital Tech Resilience Grant aims to primarily support SMEs that rely on in-person custom within their commercial premises (though SMEs in other circumstances will also be considered) and have already accessed the free digital consultancy support provided by the North of Tyne Combined Authority funded ‘Digital Pathfinders’ programme. The ‘Digital Pathfinders’ team will help the SME identify appropriate technology that will help make their workplaces more efficient and Covid resilient, and our grant would cover 50% of the cost of the technology (up to a maximum of £3k) with the SME contributing the remainder.

 The following criteria will apply:

  • The business must be based within Newcastle
  • The business must have been referred for a grant by the Digital Pathfinders team.
  • The business must meet all the qualifying criteria for Digital Pathfinders support, and have completed all necessary paperwork, including a data sharing agreement between the Digital Pathfinder team and Newcastle City Council (where appropriate)
  • With the support of the Digital Pathfinders team, the business must be able to evidence that their digital technology investment is appropriate for the business; provides value for money; and should lead to an increase in Covid resilience.
  • An increase in Covid resilience is judged to be any activity that ultimately reduces the risk to the business, staff and customers caused by new Covid related cases, or mitigates against future occurrences. Examples include but are not limited to the following:
    • Technology that reduces the need for direct face to face interactions
    • Technology that better manages the movement of people
    • Technology that allows for multi-channel sales
  • The Digital Tech Resilience Grant will be paid retrospectively once evidence of spend has been provided to Newcastle City Council.
  • The grant will cover 50% of the overall project cost of the investment, up to a maximum grant award of £3,000. There is no minimum grant award.
  • We expect project costs to be external costs to the applicant. We will not reimburse internal charges e.g. internal staff time.
  • Only one grant will be awarded per business.

 Businesses are not eligible for support if:

  • They are in administration, are insolvent or where a striking-off notice has been made
  • The award of grant would breach subsidy allowance limits

Audit checks will take place where you may be asked to support the evidence supplied. Should applicants be unable to provide satisfactory evidence, your application may be refused. If you have already received a grant, you will be required to return this to the Council. We reserve the right to request additional evidence at any time.

Grant Award Process

The Council has been awarded limited funds from Government for these scheme and it is expected that there will be a high level of demand from business. 

Grant awards will be made at the levels set out above to applicants satisfying the above eligibility criteria, subject to the availability of resources. 

Applications for grant will be made through a dedicated online grant portal and business will be required to confirm they are eligible for the scheme(s). 

A grant may be paid for each qualifying property from which an applicant business operates eligible activity. A separate application must be submitted for each eligible property. 

Payments will be made directly to approved recipients’ bank accounts by electronic transfer. 

Beneficiaries will receive written confirmation stating that by accepting the grant payment, the business confirms that they are eligible for the grant scheme, including that any payments accepted will be subject to state aid requirements. 

Other Information 

Grant income received by a business is taxable. Only businesses which make an overall profit once grant income is included will be subject to tax. 

The Government and the Council will not accept deliberate manipulation and fraud and any business falsifying their records to gain grant money will face prosecution and any funding issued will be subject to claw back, as may any grants paid in error. 

The Council does not accept any liability for any issues that may arise for businesses because of applying for, receiving, or not receiving grant payments under this scheme. 

The Council reserves the right to vary the terms, or close the schemes at any time, and without notice, should it be necessary to do so. 

There is no appeal process. 

Enquiries about the scheme can be emailed to businesssupport@newcastle.gov.uk 

Go here  to go back to the business support page.

 

Advertisement

Is this page useful?