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Mark Williams, Chief Executive of East Devon District Council, introduces this week’s business update:
“Local businesses are waiting to learn more about the ‘top-up’ Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund. The Government has recently made changes to include those eligible for the Self Employed Income Support Scheme. As a result, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has updated its Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund (LADGF) guidance. We are currently working through this document and we will confirm a ‘go live’ date shortly.
Retail businesses are expected to reopen next month if they can meet secure guidelines to protect shoppers and workers. A decision will be made by Thursday, providing Government’s five tests for easing measures are being met. Outdoor markets and car showrooms are set to reopen from 1 June, and other non-essential retail to follow on 15 June. Government has made additional funding available to us to help support this process through the ‘Reopening High Streets Safely Fund’. We will be working with our partners to determine how this can be deployed to best effect.
Businesses will only be able to open from these dates once they have completed a risk assessment, in consultation with trade union representatives or workers, and are confident they are managing the risks. They must have taken the necessary steps to become COVID-19 secure in line with the current Health and Safety legislation.
Our East Devon Business Continuity Programme of informative webinars re-commence on 2nd June. These helpful online workshops will help you adapt to new ways of working. From Instagram to Zoom, OneNote, Office 365 and website SEO, these sessions provide real and useful guidance to reshaping your business for it to survive and thrive, so don’t miss out!"
Working safely
To get ready to open retail businesses, you can read guidance for shops and branches.
BEIS has published a toolkit that local businesses can use. A downloadable notice is included in the documents, which employers should display in their workplaces to show their employees, customers and other visitors that they have followed this guidance. In this toolkit, you can also download posters and images to use on your digital channels.
Employers can now also access a number of free webinars addressing the challenges in different types of workplaces.
Employers can read a short guide to working safely, a guide on talking with your workers about preventing coronavirus and further information on managing risks and risk assessment at work.
Watch a short video on how retail can be COVID safe.
Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme
The Government’s Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme is now live on GOV.UK. Employers with fewer than 250 employees can now claim for Coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). The repayment will cover up to two weeks of the applicable rate of SSP. For more information and check if you can claim back Statutory Sick Pay paid to employees due to coronavirus
Attend a free webinar on the scheme from HMRC, including: who can claim, when to start paying SSP, employees you can claim for, making a claim, keeping records.
Wearing a face covering
The Government said we should wear a face covering when in an enclosed space where social distancing is not possible, and where you will come into contact with people who you do not normally meet. It’s especially relevant for short periods indoors in crowded areas for example, or on public transport or in some shops. Evidence suggest that wearing a face covering does not protect you. But, if you are infected but have not yet developed symptoms, it might provide protection for others you come into close contact with.
It's important to remember that face coverings do not replace social distancing or self-isolation.
Read information about how to wear and make face coverings .
Disposal of PPE
Please dispose of PPE items safely. People should put used gloves and face masks into ‘black bag’ waste at home or at work, or in a litter bin. Gloves and masks should not be placed in recycling bins as they cannot be recycled through conventional facilities.
£50m reopening high streets safely fund
A new £50 million Reopening High Streets Safely Fund will help councils in England introduce a range of safety measures to kick-start local economies, get people back to work and customers back to the shops.
A carbon neutral future?
Coronavirus has impacted on the environment, with many fewer vehicles on the road and the closure of energy-using buildings, Devon's carbon emissions have fallen by nearly a quarter. And air quality is better.
It's given us insight into how things could be if we change the way we do things, the ways we work and the way we travel. Read more from Devon County Council.
Support for community organisations
The Coronavirus Community Support Fund and other financial support is available to voluntary, community and social enterprises.
Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill
The Government has introduced the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill in Parliament, which will put in place a series of measures to amend insolvency and company law to support business under strain as a result of the pandemic.
Useful links
*Stay up to date by subscribing to our business update. Visit public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/subscriber/new, add your email address and choose the ‘business’ topic.
Read answers to common questions: www.gov.uk/guidance/answers-to-the-most-common-topics-asked-about-by-the-public-for-the-coronavirus-press-conference
• Working safely during coronavirus www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19
• Coronavirus FAQ – what you can and can’t do www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do
• Public advised to cover faces in enclosed spaces www.gov.uk/government/news/public-advised-to-cover-faces-in-enclosed-spaces
• Reopening and adapting food businesses www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/reopening-and-adapting-your-food-business-during-covid-19
• Food business guidance www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-food-businesses
• Closing certain businesses and venues in England https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close
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