Over £10million paid out to Moray businesses
Grants to businesses in Moray totalling more than £10million have been paid out by council staff in quick time.
Between April 6 and 28, 851 grants of £10k have been paid out and a further 68 sums of £25k paid to larger businesses.
Extra staff have been drafted in to work through the assessment and processing of the applications in order to get the much-needed grant aid into local business accounts as quickly as possible.
Manager of the council’s taxation team, James Taylor, said his team had pulled out all the stops to support local businesses.
“The team realised very early on the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on businesses, and has concentrated all available staff on the prompt assessment of grant applications,” he said.
“We’ve tried to turn around the large number of grant applications as quickly as possible, concentrating its efforts on getting payments to businesses. It is pleasing to see that so much money has been quickly distributed.”
The money is part of the government’s support package to business, and is addition to the HMRC furlough scheme. Once approved, the council’s payments teams ensure quick transfer direct into bank accounts of applicants.
Leader of Moray Council, Cllr Graham Leadbitter, praised the team effort.
“To get such a high percentage of emergency business grant applications processed and over ten million pounds awarded in such a short space of time is a really excellent job of work by our revenues and payments teams. This money is vital to the nine hundred-plus Moray businesses that are being supported by these grants.
“There will be much, much more to do in the coming months but with the commitment and support shown already by our council staff, staff in partner agencies like Highlands & Islands Enterprise and the close working relationships with business representatives we will do our absolute utmost to get the best recovery for Moray. “
On behalf of the local business community, chief executive of the Moray Chamber of Commerce, Sarah Medcraf, thanked the staff for completing so many grant payments.
“For applications which have no complications, Moray Council has achieved paying this crucial money to businesses within the agreed 10 working days.
“This has been particularly well received where businesses have had to use this money to pay their staff until the furlough scheme pays them this week.
“There is still a large number of businesses that have not applied for this lifeline grant, so double check if you are eligible and reach out.”
851 £10K Grants paid out, value £8,510,000;
68 £25K Grants paid out, value £1,700,000.
Check Moray Council’s website for details of how to apply.