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COVID-19: business update 30 April


Hello, I’m Cllr Toby Morris. The latest league table showing councils' performance distributing the two corona-virus grant schemes was published this week and I am delighted that WODC ranks 27th out of 315 councils, having successfully paid grants to over 80% of potentially eligible businesses.

The team is working through the eligibility of a small number of more complex applications and we are still trying to trace some that we believe might be eligible. The grants apply to either: 
  • Businesses that receive Small Business Rate Relief or Rural Rate Relief, or
  • Retail, hospitality or leisure businesses in a commercial property with rateable value below £51,000
If your business fits either of these criteria and you haven't let us have your details, please complete and return the form from the link below.

Beware of scams!

We are aware of some very realistic looking scam emails with links asking businesses to authorise their bank details to receive the business grants.

The ONLY way to submit a grant application in West Oxfordshire is to complete the form and email it to local.taxation@westoxon.gov.uk.

We do NOT ask businesses to provide their details in any other way.  Any other request you see, however realistic, is not from us. If you have any doubt at all, please contact us at local.taxation@westoxon.gov.uk or on 01993 861070.
COVID-19 business grants

100% Gov't backed loan scheme

The Government has announced a new 'Bounce Back' Loan scheme for small and medium-sized businesses to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000. The government will guarantee 100% of the loan and there won’t be any fees or interest to pay for the first 12 months.

It is hoped that the Bounce Back loans will plug the gap for those struggling to borrow through the CBILS scheme and it opens for applications on Monday 04 May.
Further information on the Bounce Back loan scheme

Helping the community response

OxfordshireAllIn is a central hub for the community response to Covid-19 in Oxfordshire. It maps and co-ordinates the various grassroots volunteering efforts around Oxfordshire, helping people and groups that need help to find it during the COVID-19 crisis. 

If you think your business could help in the response (or indeed if it already is), linking to OxfordshireAllIn is a great way to ensure those that need your help can find you. 
Link up with OxfordshireAllIn

Support from Jobcentre Plus

COVID-19 has had a huge impact on many parts of the labour market. Jobcentre Plus has launched a new website for businesses offering a range of advice to help overcome challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you need to expand rapidly or are worried about redundancies, you can find advice on next steps and the best ways to support your staff.
Support for Employers from Jobcentre Plus

Responsible innovation guide

A new standard guide for 'responsible innovation' has been published by Innovate UK and the British Standards Institution. The document, snappily known as 'PAS 440:2020 Responsible Innovation Guide', provides guidance for companies that want to innovate responsibly and to demonstrate their responsible behaviour to investors, customers and other stakeholders.

The guide is free to download from the BSI website.
Download the Responsible Innovation Guide

Online learning to boost workplace skills

The Government has launched a free online learning platform to boost workplace skills. The site, known as The Skills Toolkit, is designed to help people gain new skills while they are staying at home. The courses have been selected on the advice of experts and leading employers to make sure they meet the needs of business.
The Skills Toolkit

Support for early-stage social enterprises

OxLEP is running a facilitated peer to peer programme for early stage social enterprises. The group will provide:
  • A safe, supportive and confidential environment to share experiences, challenges and knowledge with a group of like-minded peers
  • An experienced business mentor to facilitate the sessions
  • The opportunity to develop a lasting network of connections
  • Gain insight and knowledge surrounding key strategic topics
See the link below for further information and booking details.
OxLEP social enterprise programme

Other helpful organisations

Several business groups are coming up trumps with help and advice for businesses. The ones below are good but do also check the trade association for your own sector.

Summary of business support

The Government's business support website sets out the full range of business support measures that have been made available to UK businesses and employees.
Government business support website

Keeping up to date

Please forward this email to others to whom this might be useful and encourage them to sign up to further updates.  Please note that you can access previous editions of this newsletter too.
Sign up for this newsletter and see previous editions
COVID-19 Latest information and advice
The council Coronavirus web pages have updates about business support, communities and leisure, bins and recycling, elections and council meetings, planning, building and council news.
Visit our website
We hope you found this newsletter useful. We would like them to be as relevant as possible so please let us know what you think and don’t forget to send us your news to business@westoxon.gov.uk
 
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West Oxfordshire District Council, Elmfield, New Yatt Road, Witney OX28 1PB.

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West Oxfordshire District Council · Elmfield · New Yatt Road · Witney, Oxfordshire OX28 1PB · United Kingdom

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