Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director of Regeneration, Economy and Growth which sought approval for a package of measures to support County Durham businesses to recover from the impact of COVID-19 in order to safeguard jobs and facilitate economic recovery (for copy see file of minutes). 

Councillor C Marshall, Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration, commented that theintroduction of the £5 million business recovery grant scheme would enable businesses to plan for recovery from the pandemic and potentially safeguard jobs.  As companies in all sectors suffer reduced levels of income, planning for the return to trading in due course, would bring further challenges, as businesses adapt workplaces and methods of operation. 

Councillor A Napier, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Finance, highlighted that the proposal builds upon the excellent work done to support businesses through the business grant schemes, with the Council being at the forefront of implementing the schemes quickly and efficiently.  He referred to the inevitability of a prolonged period of recovery from the pandemic and the importance of protecting employment, to ensure the situation is not exacerbated by further job losses. 

Resolved:

That the recommendations in the report be approved.

Councillor A Patterson re-joined the meeting