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Businesses in Sefton are being offered a series of support packages, as measures are taken and developed to tackle the impact of Covid-19.  The response is being driven by Sefton’s Business Rates team with support from InvestSefton, which leads on the Council’s business support.  Dedicated information is available on all aspects of the strategy being implemented to support businesses on the InvestSefton website: www.investsefton.com.

InvestSefton has assembled details of all the financial support and general guidance that is available for businesses at both a local and national level, which it will keep updating and sharing as new measures are announced.  At present this includes information on business rates, funding schemes, the self-employment income scheme, the coronavirus retention scheme and measures in place to cover statutory sick pay.

Crucially, InvestSefton is working with partners to lobby on the issues where it believes that further support is needed.  It will do this by identifying where it believes the gaps may lie and by listening to the concerns of businesses in the Borough.  One of the subjects it is already focusing upon, is to try and ensure that all small businesses receive the help they need within the plans being developed by Central Government.

Of the grant schemes already in place that will be delivered by Sefton Council, the Small Business Grant Fund provides grants of £10,000 in cash to the smallest businesses; those that pay little or no business rates and are eligible for small business rate relief (SBBR) or rural rate relief.  For those in the retail, hospitality or leisure sector there is a separate fund, also based on business rates.  The Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund will award businesses with a rateable value of between £15,000 and £51,000 a grant of £25,000.

Eligible businesses for both funds have been written to directly by Sefton Council.  If you think you are eligible and want to submit an application you can also do so directly here: http://forms.sefton.gov.uk/covid19businessform/

Cllr Ian Maher, Sefton Council’s Labour Leader, says, “We have been working hard across the Borough giving advice to businesses and individuals on the help and funding available to support them, to date we have sent over 4,700 letters to eligible businesses with over 50% returned already.  All businesses in all sectors, and of all sizes, are important to Sefton, not only in providing employment to residents, but also for all that they contribute to the prosperity and growth of the Borough.

 

“We are committed to providing the valuable support that businesses need in lots of different ways such as ensuring grant payments are processed as quickly as possible. We have already taken thousands of calls assisting Sefton businesses to access the correct information and will continue to do so.’

InvestSefton is the leading voice for Sefton’s business community, placing it at the forefront of Sefton Council’s work to support businesses impacted by the Covid-19 lockdown.  With a dedicated team of experts and resources in place, InvestSefton began to implement a Covid-19 strategy and response in early March, this means that it has been able to provide the necessary support, latest information and already started to lobby in the areas where it believes further action is required.

Businesses can call the InvestSefton team for advice on 0151 934 3452.  However, due to the high volume of calls being received, businesses are recommended to look on the website first as this is constantly being updated with the very latest information: www.investsefton.com.  Businesses can also email investsefton@sefton.gov.uk.

In a week where over 1000 people signed up to volunteer to help Sefton’s response to Covid-19, that community spirit led to a special letter of thanks from Sefton Council and Sefton CVS to all staff and volunteers in the borough’s VCF (voluntary, community and faith) sector.

Written by Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, Cllr Trish Hardy, the letter, outlines the role of the Community Response Cell, bringing together partners including Sefton Council, Merseyside Police and Sefton’s Council Voluntary Services, along with Sefton’s two clinical commissioning groups and other partners in responding to the changing needs of the borough and our residents in the coming weeks and months of the crisis.

The letter shared useful information on the national helpline set up for those shielding, and the Council’s support for those registered as shielding, such as making regular phone calls to those shielding to find out what needs they have in relation to medicines, food supplies and more.

Last but not least, Cllr Hardy expressed gratitude for all those who had volunteered their support at an extremely difficult time, whether through established volunteering channels or helping their communities in lots of different ways. From supporting foodbanks, to helping to tackle social isolation at a very difficult time.

 

Tanya Wilcock, Head of Communities at Sefton Council said:

“The picture changes daily for our residents and communities as Coronavirus and its impacts are felt. It is great to pause for a brief moment to recognise the way our communities have come together to help one another, while also bringing our partners in the VCF sector up to date with Sefton’s response. This letter will do this, while helping to maintain morale at such an unprecedented time for us all.”

 

Angela White OBE, Chief Executive at Sefton CVS said:

“Sefton has a unique community spirit, and Sefton CVS has been overwhelmed with the number of Sefton residents that have come forward to volunteer, as well as our local voluntary, community and faith sector organisations who are continuing providing valuable support to our communities. Following this letter from Cllr Hardy, I look forward to continuing our partnership work in supporting our most vulnerable residents at this very difficult time.”

 

Fiona Taylor, Chief Officer for NHS South Sefton and NHS Southport and Formby CCGs, said:

“Our GP practices and other local health services are working tirelessly together with all our partners involved in our Sefton response to Coronavirus, to ensure that our most vulnerable residents have the care, medicines and food supplies they need during this pandemic. Despite this being a worrying and challenging time for many, I have been heartened by the speed with which organisations and individuals have come forward and together are providing essential support and care for those residents who need it most. I would like to pay tribute to everyone involved in this effort.”

To find out more about Sefton’s volunteering response, what you can do to help and to read Cllr Hardy’s letter in full, visit the dedicated webpage on the Sefton Council website