Decision Maker: Mayor and Cabinet
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: No
Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the jobshare
Cabinet Member for Culture, Jobs & Skills, Councillor Joe Dromey, the Mayor
and Cabinet agreed that:
(1) the broad package of support to business and residents set out together
with the specific recommendations indicated below be approved;
(2) Across all areas of income collection for the next three months note the
Council’s general approach be noted and endorse the following be endorsed:
:
a. Generate invoices based on existing agreements and charges
unless specifically waived;
b. Hold the sending of any reminders for payments due on bills
raised; with communications emphasising payment flexibility for
business those struggling to pay and not referencing
enforcement action;
c. Invite all customers, businesses or residents, to contact the
Council early to discuss any financial difficulties they may be
facing as a result of Cod vi19;
d. Offer flexibility to vary payment schedules to waive charges for
up to three months and reset future payments to recover the
monies due thereafter.
d. Delegate authority to the Executive Director for Housing,
Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Acting
Chief Finance Officer to scope the recommended options,
implement processes and eligible accessibility criteria.
(3) the Executive Director for Housing, Regeneration and Environment in
consultation with the Acting Chief Finance Officer be authorised to introduce
temporary top-up to emergency loans to support families with unexpected
Covid-19 bereavement costs, to bridge the circa 7 week delay in obtaining the
£1,000 DWP ‘funeral expenses payment’; this is subject to the outcome of the
current all Borough’s representation to DWP to reduce delays in processing
applications.
(4) the Executive Director for Housing, Regeneration and Environment in
consultation with the Acting Chief Finance Officer be authorised to implement
the following proposals as part of a comprehensive package of support to help
protect Lewisham business and jobs:
(5) For Council commercial tenants - if requested by the tenant and having
checked on a case by case basis that they have availed themselves of other
available government support, to:
a. At least defer all commercial rents due up to a 3-month period - essentially
terms would be agreed to recover the rent over a longer period.
b. Allow flexibility for officers to discount or forego commercial rents due for
small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs with fewer than 250 employees,
and a turnover of less than £50 million) who have not received business rates
relief or grants, voluntary groups and charities – initially - up to a 3-month
period,
c. Consider in June on whether to defer or forego rent for a further quarter for
businesses that - still remain vulnerable to imminent closure.
At an estimated cost to the Council from loss of income of up to £800k.
(6) For commercial waste customers - where appropriate for those not trading
(e.g. excluding supermarkets), agree an initial three-month free-period on
annual waste collection charges from the 1 April 2020; and if requested, defer
payments for 3-months for SMEs who are still trading (e.g. shops) at an
expected cost to the Council from loss of income of up to £500k.
(7) For Licenced premises - provide leniency on when the statutory premises
licencing fee is paid, not to suspend premises for non-payment of license
fees, not to chase on non-payment – but continue to invoice premises for their
annual fees as normal. Council will provide a 3 month grace period after the
Covid-19 lockdown regulations cease before chasing payments and
suspending premises.
(8) For Commercial tenants paying service charges - If requested, defer
charges due from Forest Hill Business Centre and Bow Arts Trust for up to a
3-month period, with consideration in June for a further quarter deferral –
essentially terms would be agreed to recover the full service charge over a
later or longer period.
(9) For Market Traders - endorse the agreed blanket approach to cease all
fees and charges to support Lewisham Markets & Traders without charge
penalty or loss of pitch for the first quarter at an expected cost to the Council
from loss of income from all markets across Lewisham of £225k.
(10) For Business parking - endorse the four month blanket reduction on
annual business parking permits from the 1 April 2020 at an expected cost to
the Council from loss of income of £130k.
(11) For Shop Forecourt licences - cease all fees and charges to support
Lewisham business owners without charge, penalty, or loss of shop forecourt
licence for the first quarter at an expected cost to the Council from loss of
income from all licensed shops of £35k.
(12) a ‘Lewisham backs Business’ Task Force, comprising lead Members,
representatives from the local business community, industry, and officers be
established to develop and coordinate a whole Council response to
supporting business and jobs recovery quickly and inclusively from the
disruption of Covid 19.
Publication date: 14/05/2020
Date of decision: 13/05/2020
Decided at meeting: 13/05/2020 - Mayor and Cabinet
Accompanying Documents: