The new scheme aims to help small businesses not covered by the Small Business Grant Fund or the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Fund. Businesses must have less than fifty employees, pay fixed property-related costs, and be able to show that they have suffered a significant loss due to the coronavirus crisis. Full details on the eligibility criteria and the application process can be found on our website at www.fylde.gov.uk/dbgf

The Council will prioritise small businesses in shared offices or other flexible works paces which do not have their own business rates assessment, short term holiday lets or B&B’s that pay domestic council tax instead of business rates, locally based charities receiving charitable business rate relief and regular market traders without business rates assessment but with fixed building costs.

Councillor Karen Buckley, Acting Fylde Council Leader, said:

“Supporting small businesses in Fylde is a key part of the economic recovery process. Once we received the go-ahead from central Government, we worked quickly to create an approved policy from which many businesses will now be able to benefit.

“We are proud of the wide range of small businesses that operate in Fylde and we look forward to being able to offer this additional support to as many as possible in the current crisis.”

Applications to the fund, which is cash-limited, must be made by Monday 8th June. Applications will be assessed against the scheme criteria and awards made to eligible companies. If there are funds left over after this initial round of applications, there may be another opportunity to apply in the summer.

The project which began work in 2018 stretches from Fairhaven Lake to Church Scar promenade on Seafield Road. The previous defences were built in the late 1890s and were in a poor condition, requiring emergency repairs to be financed every year to prevent a breach.

Further to Fylde Council securing a £21.4m grant investment from the Environment Agency, the contractor VBA Joint Venture Ltd is on schedule to complete all the works ahead of the planned date in December 2020.

Councillor Thomas Threlfall, the Council appointed representative for the Fairhaven and Church Scar Sea Defence project board said: “Following 10 years hard work I am delighted that we can now offer this section of the sea defence project back to the public to enjoy. I’d like to give special thanks and recognition to Fylde Council Officers Andrew Dickson, Paul Walker, Darren Bell, Steve Ball and Mike Pomfret for their tireless efforts throughout this project.

I would also like to extend my thanks to the Environment Agency and the Government for recognising the need for improvements in the area and subsequently awarding funding for this.

I am immensely proud of what has been achieved; a promenade to be proud of. Not only will this beauty spot be attractive for residents and visitors alike, but it has also significantly improved the safety of the surrounding area.”

The Church Scar section of the works was completed in March this year and was set to open on April 1^st, however due to the coronavirus pandemic the decision was made to keep the section closed to the public to avoid people visiting the new feature unnecessarily, compromising the stay home instruction from the Prime Minister.

This stretch of promenade can now be used for exercise but please continue to practice social distancing when using the promenade, keeping 2 metres apart from anyone not in your immediate household.

The remaining sections of the project at Fairhaven Lake and Granny’s Bay are progressing well and will complete later this year.  You can keep up to date with the project here  www.discoverfylde.gov.uk/seadefence

The Mayor of Fylde Councillor Angela Jacques, who will be continuing as Mayor until 2021 would like to recognise those heroes in a special event that will take place later this year.

We are looking for nominations from members of the public of those individuals who have been going above and beyond during these difficult times. Someone who has made a difference in the community and gone the extra mile to help those most in need.

Mayor of Fylde Councillor Angela Jacques said: “These past few weeks and months have been difficult for the whole community to come to terms with. Life as we knew it changed dramatically in such a short space of time and we have had to adapt to the current situation meaning most of us have not been able to leave our houses or see and visit loved ones. I know that there have been some incredible individuals throughout the community who have helped those in that situation, from collecting and delivering shopping and medication, to simply being a friendly voice on the end of the phone for those struggling with loneliness and isolation. These people really are the heroes of our community, and I want to recognise and personally thank them for this as part of the community campaign; Fylde COVID-19 Heroes.”

To nominate someone simply email joanne.collins@fylde.gov.uk with your details, the details of the person you are nominating, and provide a brief description of how they have supported the community throughout this health crisis.

Details of the recognition event will be published soon, and those who have received nominations will be contacted directly with the information.

If you fall within this category, then you may be eligible for a reduction on your Council Tax up to a maximum of two months, equivalent to £325.  Applications can be made online from 1^st May to 5^th June and will be discounted from your council tax bill after that date. A fund of £23,000 is set aside for this scheme and applications made up to a Council Tax band D only can be considered. Please note that this fund is capped at earnings of £2500 per month.

Councillor Karen Buckley, Acting Council Leader, said:

“The Government have provided much-needed grant funding for businesses, employees and the self-employed to help protect jobs and livelihoods through the pandemic and this is to be welcomed.  We are acutely aware that those who started self-employment in the last year do not qualify for the national scheme and yet they too are facing hardship during this crisis.  At Fylde Council we wanted to devise a scheme to recognise these particular workers and provide a discount on their Council tax bill using the extra funding provided to all local authorities.  I hope they will come forward and make use of the fund.”

Applications are now open. Visit here for further information and to complete the form.  The Finance team will contact you if any supporting documents are required and discounts will be applied on close of applications after 5^th June.