To secure the benefits of the Discretionary Grant Scheme for Oxford City.

To agree the £1.265m Discretionary Grant scheme, for urgent launch on June 1st, in line with the other Oxon LA timescales for launch.

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Partnerships, and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management have been consulted. All are satisfied with the decision and guidance and their feedback has been incorporated into the guidance.

As this was a key decision the Lord Mayor (because the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee had not been elected) was consulted under Part 15.17 of the Constitution and agreed that the decision was urgent and to waive call in.

The grant scheme must be delivered to serve the interests of local business and workers. However, different options for delivery were considered including;

•         First come first serve until monies are spent. Issues include fairness, possible poor VFM, and funding going to less serious cases of loss/costs.

•         Widest possible interpretation with a detailed evaluation process. Issues include capacity to handle over-subscription and disappointment/wasted effort for local businesses.

•         Focus round 1 on the four priority groups in the BEIS guidance with a light touch evaluation where demand outstrips supply. Evaluation to focus on financial need, employment levels, supply chain, and evidence of positive environmental and social impacts. The scheme might be widened to other business cohorts in a second round, if funding remains. This approach is intended to balance demand, with a desire to support businesses where it will be likely to lead to the most positive set of triple bottom line outcomes

The Chief Executive  on 27 May 2020.