Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Discretionary Fund has been given an extra £3 million from the Scottish Government to help mitigate the short-term financial challenges being experienced by firms adversely impacted by regulations since October 2020.
The council can direct the additional support to specific groups, sectors or businesses within their communities, particularly small and micro-businesses as well as self-employed people, who have been excluded from other Scottish Government financial support since October.
It opened for bids on February 16 and closed this week and it’s hoped payments will be made before the end of the month, with applications now being processed.
And over £1.4 million of discretionary funding has already been paid out.
However, officials are concerned there won’t be enough to go around.
Business and enterprise manager David Gardiner said: “Discretionary fund applications are being processed and evaluated, and the number received may mean that the eligible applications could exceed the available funding provided by Scottish Government.”
But he pointed out that the council has ‘committed’ to ensure all eligible businesses suffering hardship, which had not been able to secure support from other funds, would be helped.
Meanwhile, Mr Gardiner also revealed that 2500 applications have been made to the Strategic Framework since Dumfries and Galloway has been in level four.
These have been from businesses that have had to close.
He said: “Since the Tier 4 restrictions were introduced, a total of £16.5 million has been paid out to local businesses from the Strategic Fund, including £7.3 million top ups for retail, leisure and hospitality.”
Looking ahead, he is waiting to hear if more business support funding will be made available to allow a continuation of a discretionary fund in the new financial year while restrictions remain in place into 2021/22.
