East Staffordshire Borough Council will award the Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF) to eligible businesses that have been adversely affected by the pandemic, with aims of providing business rates relief for the financial year 2021/22.
To be eligible for the funding businesses must have occupied a property any time between 1st April 2021 and 15th December 2021, and must also meet the eligibility criteria outlined within the Council’s Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund Discretionary Non-Domestic Rate Relief Policy. This policy can be found at www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/businessrates/East-Staffs-NDR-CARF-DRR-Policy-FINAL.pdf
Fully constituted businesses in liquidation, struck-off or subject to a striking-off notice or where a person is subject to insolvency proceedings (bankrupt, debt relief order) are ineligible.
Declarations made by third parties, such as agents, accountants and solicitors, will not be accepted.
Cllr Bernard Peters, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing Standards, said: “I encourage all eligible business owners to apply for the Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund, as we continue to recover from the pandemic. Funds such as this are vital to the ongoing support of local businesses across East Staffordshire.”
Declarations must be submitted no later than 16th September 2022. Any declarations made after this date will not be approved.
Once the validation process is completed, relief will be applied to accounts and revised bills after 1st October 2022. Refunds will be issued automatically if the business’ bank details are known. Where this is not the case, businesses will be asked to provide bank account details.
If you operate a business and believe you are eligible for the Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund, please complete the online declaration at https://www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk/business-rates/carf.