Wokingham Borough Connect
 Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund for businesses
The Government has provided funding to help support businesses affected by the pandemic which are not eligible for existing support linked to Business Rates, such as expanded retail discount.
The COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF) is a discretionary one-off payment credited to the business rates account.
The effect of the one-off payment will be to reduce the amount of Business Rates otherwise payable for the 2021/22 financial year. The scheme is a reduction in liability to pay and not a grant.
This is open to:
- Properties not eligible for relief schemes other than transitional relief and small business rates relief more than £12,000 rateable value
- Properties occupied and liable for Business Rates on 1 April 2021
- Properties must be occupied
- There must be a business rates liability for the financial year
We are automatically awarding the relief to the businesses we have identified that meet the criteria. This will show as an amended account confirmed with a letter.
More details are available by the button below. If you believe you are due this relief but have not received it, contact us using details via the webpage below.
 Free service for landlords - rent your property with us
We’re seeking landlords to rent properties to individuals and families who are in need of housing through our Private Rented Scheme.
The scheme provides a range of free services to landlords, including finding and vetting tenants to ensure they are suitable and arranging viewings of properties.
You can choose preferred tenants following viewings. We also provide personalised services such as regular visits to your property and advice on tenancy management.
Landlords are able to receive guaranteed rent payments up to the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate for up to two years. This includes a payment of up to five weeks' rent as a deposit. Rent is paid directly by the council, so there won’t be risks of your tenants going into arrears.
There is also a one-off bonus payment of £500 for each property let through the scheme. Find out more about the Private Rented Scheme on our website.
 Go green and reap the benefits of a grant
Have you thought about applying for a low carbon workspaces grant?
Often one of the biggest barriers to moving further forward with major energy efficiencies is the cost of technology.
With a match-funded grant between £1,000 and £5,000, you can recover up to a third of the cost of many different energy-saving measures at the home of your business.
This helps reduce the upfront cost and the time to recover your investment.
If you're planning to invest in a project which will cut carbon emissions, save money and minimise waste, then Low Carbon Workspace is here to help.
To check eligibility email economicdevelopment@wokingham.gov.uk
 Networking events listings coming soon
We're starting to send a new update to our business community from this month (August) looking at networking and business events in the area.
You'll get the first one tomorrow, which looks ahead to everything in September across the area.
We'll then send this in the last week of each month going forward.
If you are hosting an event and want it listed contact us to get it added.
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