Agreement of the Oxford City Council Coronavirus Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) Scheme Top-up

To ensure timely and appropriate use of further Additional Restrictions Grant Funding in-line with the guidance and local economic need, the decision has been made to:

a)    Increase the ARG budget available by £208,367 (total allocation  £5,602,741).

b)    Approve use of the top-up funds for delivery of the ‘Omicron Additional Restrictions Grant’ (see options considered). Any remaining funds from previous schemes will be also be allocated to this funds in-line with officer and leader delegations agreed on 26 April 2021.

To ensure timely and appropriate use of further Additional Restrictions Grant Funding in-line with the guidance and local economic need.

The grant scheme must be delivered to serve the interests of local business severely affected by COVID restrictions in line with Government guidance. A range of proposals were considered, and implementation of the recommended proposals was decided upon, based on the scheme guidance and local economic needs.

Option Agreed: Further discretionary Additional Restrictions Grants (ARGs) will be made available for businesses operating in the Oxford City Council area that have been severely impacted by the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and have NOT been able to apply for the main Omicron Hospitality, Leisure & Accommodation Grants.

These will be one-off grants of up to £5,000, available to all businesses, including those outside the business rates system, in the hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care, travel and tourism sectors, including group travel, travel agents and tour operators, coach operators, wedding industries, events industries, wholesalers, English language schools, breweries, freelance and mobile businesses (including caterers, events, hair, beauty and wedding related businesses), gyms, where NOT covered by the main Omicron Hospitality, Leisure & Accommodation grants.

Grants will be allocated to businesses dependent on their fixed costs, losses and number of employees, though they should not be used to support wages. We have a limited amount of funding, so may close the scheme early if demand exceeds funds. We will make all payments by 31 March 2022.

Decision taken by the Head of Paid Service (Chief Executive) – Caroline Green.

Decision taken in consultation with the Corporate Management Team and the Leader.