Chichester is best area in country for distributing emergency business grants

Chichester is the best performing area in the country for distributing business grants on behalf of the government.
Chichester District Council has been commended for the job it has done distributing business grants during the coronavirus emergencyChichester District Council has been commended for the job it has done distributing business grants during the coronavirus emergency
Chichester District Council has been commended for the job it has done distributing business grants during the coronavirus emergency

Chichester District Council has paid out business rate grants, totalling around £36 million, to approximately 3,000 businesses.

The 99.56 per cent payment rate makes CDC the number one rated local authority in this country for delivering this support.

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The council was recognised by local government secretary Robert Jenrick during Wednesday night’s Downing Street press briefing.

Afterwards CDC sent a tweet thanking the minister for ‘congratulating hard-working staff’, adding: “We’re proud to be the highest performing council in the country and this is due to the dedication of our staff who have been working around the clock to support our local businesses.”

Henry Potter, a district councillor for Goodwood, said today: “We should all, in the Chichester district, pay a tribute to the CDC management team led by the chief executive, Diane Shepherd for the exceptional achievements of the council.

“In regular almost daily contact with our leader, Eileen Lintill, the management team have just about kept the council ahead in the implementation of measures to keep us safe, yet still maintaining the services we are accustomed to.

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“And to receive a commendation from the Government for the speed and efficiency in distributing £36 million of Government funded grants to local businesses is the icing on the cake. Well done CDC!”

Earlier this week, Peter Wilding, cabinet member for finance, corporate services and revenues and benefits at Chichester District Council, said: “Although all eligible businesses received a letter asking them to apply, not all initially responded, and so our staff have been heavily promoting the scheme, emailing and making phone calls - sometimes late at night. They truly have gone above and beyond to make sure that every single eligible business has had the opportunity to access their grant.”

He described the council’s response to the coronavirus emergency as a ‘team effort’, with the economic development team speaking to hundreds of businesses offering support, while the health protection and licensing teams have been helping businesses to meet Government guidelines and helping them to adapt their businesses.

Cllr Wilding added: “One of our key priorities is about helping businesses to recover from this crisis. We know how supportive and fantastic our residents have been during this crisis and we would encourage them to support our local businesses wherever they possibly can. Encouraging people to shop locally has always been a key focus for us and this is more important now than ever.”

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