How well is your local authority doing in getting money to your businesses?

In order to help you get a sense of how quickly you are likely to receive your small business grant, we are asking the twelve local authorities in our region to provide updates of how fast they are distributing the money from central government to their local businesses. 

Click on the links below to find your local council

Dates are given for the time the latest information was received, which varies based upon the latest communication. Caution should therefore be used in comparing Council performance.  

Last updated 3rd June 2020

West of England

Bristol

Bristol have received approximately £88 million in allocated funds from central government to pay small business grants. It has an estimated 8,071 businesses who are eligible for the small business grants. 

As of the 19th of April, Bristol had distributed £53 million of grants to an estimated 4,127 businesses.

This means Bristol has now distributed their grants to: 

  • 51% of eligible businesses 
  • worth 60% of allocated funding

Bristol say that 1,600 eligible businesses (which total 20% of eligible businesses) have yet to make contact with them to apply for the grant, meaning that they are unable to process grants and that this is holding up their ability to distribute funds. Please do apply if you are an eligible business in Bristol.

Apply for these grants here

Bath and North East Somerset

Bath & North East Somerset Council has received a total of £46.1 million from central government for distribution of small business grants. B&NES estimate that they have approximately a total of 3,500 eligible businesses in their authority area. 

As of the 3rd June, B&NES had distributed £37m to 2850 businesses.

B&NES say they still have many businesses that have not yet applied for the grant. 

B&NES say they have been aiming to pay money within 7 working days of registrations.

To apply for a grant visit the B&NES website.

North Somerset

North Somerset Council have now received £40.4m from government, to spend on small business grants of £10k or £25k. 

As of the 29th of April, North Somerset told us that they have paid out £26.9 million worth of grants so far to 2,257 businesses, which means they have delivered: 

  • 67% of grant money received

Apply for your grant with North Somerset here 

South Gloucestershire

South Gloucestershire Council have received £39m from Government, to spend on small business grants of £10k or £25k.

As of the 5th of May, South Gloucestershire have informed us that they have paid out £30.1 million worth of grants so far to over 2,499 businesses, which means they have paid  

  • 77% of the total of grant money that they have received

Apply for your grant with South Gloucestershire here.

Swindon and Wiltshire

Swindon

Swindon has received a total of £31.1million pounds worth of funding for small business grants from central government. Swindon estimate that there are 2,738 eligible businesses in its authority. 

As of the 21st of April, Swindon Borough Council had processed grants to 1630 businesses, totalling £20.3 million worth of grants. 

This means Swindon has now distributed their grants to:

  • 60% of eligible businesses
  • worth 65% of allocated funding  

Swindon Borough Council has sent letters to all businesses that are entitled to this support under current government guidance. Any business that has not received a letter but believe they fit the eligibility criteria should e-mail them  for advice. The e-mail should include their: full name, business name, business address and business rates account number 

For further information visit their website.

Wiltshire

As of 21st of April, Wiltshire County Council say they have cleared “over £50 million” worth of grants out of a total of £106 million they have been allocated from government. 

This means Wiltshire has now cleared for payment grants worth: 

  • 47% of allocated funding

Wiltshire published on the 21st of April that over 4,300 businesses have currently received grants and that “over 8,000” are eligible to receive these grants. Some 3,000 eligible Wiltshire businesses have still not applied for grants and need to do so if they are to receive them – please make sure you do. 

Cllr Philip Whitehead gives a business update here.

If you need to make an application you can download the form from the Wiltshire website

Gloucestershire

Cheltenham Borough Council

Cheltenham Borough Council has received a total of £24.5 million from central government for distribution of small business grants. Cheltenham estimate that there are approximately 1750 businesses who are eligible to receive these grants. 

As of the 29th of April, Cheltenham had distributed £18.3m to 1,471 businesses. 

This means Cheltenham has now distributed their grants to: 

  • 84% of eligible businesses
  • 75% of allocated funding

Cheltenham are still contacting some businesses to make them aware of the grants and some cases require further checks on eligibility.  If you think you are eligible, please apply. 

The website for application details can be found here

Tewkesbury Borough Council

Tewkesbury Borough Council have received £17.2m in funds allocated from central government. They estimate that a total of approximately 1500 business are eligible to receive grants. 

As of the 15th of April 2020, Tewkesbury had paid 1032 businesses and paid out over £12 million worth of grants.

This means Tewkesbury has now distributed their grants to: 

  • 69% of eligible businesses
  • 70% of allocated funding

Tewkesbury are paying grant claims on a daily basis and would like to complete this as quickly as possible. 

If you are an eligible business based in the Tewkesbury local authority area, please apply for your grant here 

Gloucester City Council

Gloucester City Council has received a total of £21.7 million from central government for distribution of small business grants. Gloucester has 226 businesses eligible to receive the £25k grant and 1430 businesses eligible to receive the £10k grant, giving a total of 1656 eligible businesses. 

As of the 28th of April,  Gloucester had distributed £17 million worth of grants to 1400 businesses. 

This means Gloucester City Council has now distributed grants worth: 

  • 78% of allocated funding
  • To 85% of eligible businesses

The date for estimated completion of grants for all businesses is the 17th of April, however this will be “dependent on applications”

You can find out more about how to access your small business grant and make a claim at the Gloucester City Council website.

Cotswold District Council 

Cotswold District Council have received approximately £37.5 million in allocated funds from central government to pay small business grants. On Cotswold’s website, accessed on the 16th of April 2020, the council say they have so far made 1,122 grant payments representing around £14.4 million of cash support. Cotswold estimate that there are more than 2,500 eligible businesses in their authority.

This means Cotswold District Council has now distributed their grants to: 

  • 45% of eligible businesses
  • Worth 38% of allocated funding

Cotswold District Council say they are still waiting for key information from many businesses who have not yet sent the application form in.

If you think you might be eligible for funding you can find it here. You should complete this form and return to revenues@cotswold.gov.uk.

Stroud District Council

Stroud District Council has received £26 million for the two small business grants from the Government which it is distributing to businesses. It has an estimated 2,250 businesses who are eligible to receive these grants. 

As of the 24th of April 2020 Stroud had distributed these grants to 1721 businesses, to a total worth £19.3 million.

This means Stroud District Council has now distributed their grants to: 

  • 76% of eligible businesses
  • Worth a total of 74% of total funds provided by government

 

You can find more information about how to apply for the grant and the process involved on Stroud’s website

Forest of Dean District Council

Central government has provided £21.2 million worth of grants to Forest of Dean District Council to be distributed to its eligible businesses. As of 24th April, 2178 businesses in the Forest of Dean were believed to be eligible for business support grants from the Government. Forest of Dean District Council has made payment to 1,472 of these, which equates to some £15.75 million of cash support. 

This means Forest of Dean Council has now distributed their grants to : 

  • 68% of eligible businesses
  • Which equates to approximately 74% of total available funding

The Forest of Dean say that they estimate there are around 600 eligible businesses that have not yet applied. 

Eligible business that have not yet submitted their details should visit the Forest of Dean website to download the application form or access all current Government and local business support, advice and guidance from the Council website.

  • Register today to get more from Business West

    Register with Business West to be informed of vital business issues, insights and opportunities, and gain access to business guides and content through our resources area.