sefton council taxi grant
As a result of Tier 3 local restrictions being put in place to manage the spread of COVID-19, the following business premises will be required to close: A Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) will be available to eligible businesses for each complete two-week period that a premises is required to be closed following the implementation of localised restrictions. If you need some flexibility or support up to the end of June 2020 and would like to request some contractual relief you should make contact with your normal Sefton Council contract manager or day to day contact to discuss the options that might be available. Note: This scheme is now closed to new applications. A decision as to whether you are eligible for this relief will not be made until after 31 August 2022. Except for specific circumstances, such as where these act as someones main residence, where they cannot return home, for homeless people, or where it is essential to stay there for work purposes. Antrec's step by step guide on how to apply for your taxi badge and licence in Sefton, Liverpool, Knowsley, St Helens, Wirral & across the North West. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Those payments will be: Payment will appear in nominated bank accounts as SEFTON PAYMENT. Businesses that have not been allowed to re-open since the original National Lockdown in March are entitled to receive the same payments as other businesses subject to Tier 2, Tier 3 or national restrictions from 1 November 2020. This fund is to. Applications are being processed in strict order of when full evidence has been received. A business was open and providing in-person services to customers prior to restrictions being applied. This does not impact the limited circumstances in which State aid rules still apply under the Withdrawal Agreement, specifically Article 10 of the Northern Ireland Protocol. Those payments will be: For the period 5 November 2020 to 2 December 2020. At the present time the only approved routes are within the tourist areas in Southport. St Helens, Sefton and Halton - with a current and valid licence issued by Liverpool City . The scheme provides support to hospitality, leisure and accommodation businesses, in recognition that the rise of the Omicron COVID variant means that some businesses are likely to experience reduced trade. Businesses that are eligible for this scheme are actively encouraged to apply. It has already received grant payments that equal the maximum levels of state aid permitted under the minimum limit or the Covid-19 Temporary State Aid Framework. For the purposes of this scheme, a non-essential retail business can be defined as a business that is used mainly or wholly for the purposes of retail sale or hire of goods or services by the public, where the primary purpose of products or services provided are not necessary to the health and well-being of the public. Businesses that only provide personal care goods, rather than services; Businesses used solely as training centres for staff, apprentices and others; Businesses providing dental services, opticians, audiology services, chiropody, chiropractors, osteopaths and other medical or health services, including services which incorporate personal care services, treatments required by those with disabilities and services relating to mental health. During this period the Council would like to work together with our contracted suppliers to provide support where it is possible in order that we can resume normal contract service delivery as soon as possible once the Covid-19 outbreak is over. Gyms and Sports BusinessGovernment guidance states that the definition of a leisure business should exclude gyms and sports businesses where physical exercise, or training is conducted on an individual basis or group basis. Grants will be payable to eligible business rate payers as named on the Councils records, and who were trading on 30 November 2020. The grant funding in this category aims to help small and micro businesses in any sector that are not eligible for other grant schemes and that are struggling with a loss of sales/revenue in the current financial year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We request that you do not contact us by telephone or by e-mail to progress your application as this will only delay how quickly we can process the applications that have already been received. The United Kingdom remains bound by its international commitments, including subsidy obligations set out in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) with the EU. To apply for a new licence, applicants must contact the Council Taxi Licensing Team by email to book an appointment at a Sefton One Stop Shop, where you are required to bring: If your application is successful and the name you wish to use does not resemble another then you will be issued with a licence and a copy of the Private Hire Operator's Conditions. It has chosen to, rather than has been required to, close. The Discretionary Business Grant fund was launched on Thursday 11 June 2020 and as of Wednesday 23 September 2020 all available funds have been allocated. I know that taxi drivers who have fallen on hard times recently, like many of our residents who need help during this crisis, are being supported by their family, friends or neighbours. Public playgrounds and allotments may remain open. This should be interpreted as carrying on a trade or profession or buying and selling goods or services, Local Restrictions Support Grant (now closed), Liverpool City Region Hospitality, Leisure and Retail Grant Top-up (now closed), Liverpool City Region Hospitality, Leisure and Retail Grant - Round 2 (Expanded Scheme - now closed), Liverpool City Region Hospitality and Leisure Sector Fund - Round 1 (now closed), Discretionary Business Grant Fund (now closed), Small Business Grant Funding (now closed), Christmas Support Payment for Wet-led pubs (now closed), Expanded Retail Discount (Business Rates Holiday), Business Rate Updates from 1st April 2023, LCR Care Grant Scheme Terms And Conditions Sefton FINAL, Sefton Care Providers Grant Scheme Privacy FINAL, Guidance Notes And Checklist LCR Care Providers Grant FINAL. However, in the vast majority of cases this will not apply. You can apply if you own your home, rent, are unemployed or working. Unincorporated businesses will be taxed when they receive the grant income. Every contract will have its own unique characteristics and therefore the relief available will vary case by case, but some examples could be as follows: Please note that the Sefton Council is itself experiencing staffing issues due to isolation and school closures and cannot guarantee a response time to any enquiries but we will therefore aim to achieve this support to the best of its ability. A business that was ordered to close due to due to Tier 3 restrictions are entitled to a payment for complete 14-day cycle. Payments after 6 April 2021 will fall into the 2021/22 tax year. . For the purposes of this grant scheme, a business is considered to be trading if it is engaged in business activity. *** Please read very carefully as some important changes have been made ***. Company Number (where the ratepayer is a Limited company registered with Companies House), Number of employees at the premises for which the application is being made, Percentage decline in turnover within the April 2020 to March 2021 period, compared to the same 2019 to 2020 period, A declaration that the award of relief will not result in a breach of Subsidy Control thresholds. Reduced trade When your licence is due present your vehicle to a testing station to be tested in the normal way. Employ fewer than 10 and more than 249 full time equivalent staff. In other cases, the Council will include the discount in bills and ask the ratepayers, on a self-assessment basis, to inform the authority if they are in breach of the cash caps. For the purposes of this grant, pubs should under normal circumstances (without local or national restrictions) be open to the general public, allow free entry other than when occasional entertainment is provided, allow drinking without requiring food to be consumed and permit drinks to be purchased at a bar, and under normal circumstances derive less than 50% of their income from food sales. Be viable and trading on or before1 April 2021. The Restart Grant scheme is a one-off grant for businesses on the ratings list only. your . We can also offer executive travel. The form is not compatible with many mobile phones or with the Safari browser. Businesses occupying hereditaments appearing on the local rating list with a rateable value of exactly 51,000 or over on 30 December 2021 will receive a payment of 6,000. Therefore, a further small pro-rata payment will be made for the 6 days from 30 December 2020 to 4 January 2021 in addition to any other payments due for other periods of closure. For more information visit www.sefton.gov.uk/taxigrant, Have your say on the future of Crosby Coastal Park, Autumn edition of Aiming High for Disabled Children newsletter out now, How to get in and out of Liverpool during Lime Streets major upgrade 30 September 22 October, Who's In Court: Flytipping, dangerous animals and dog fouling, Maghull & Southport next venues for mobile coronavirus testing, Watch out for the tide - beach safety advice from Southport Lifeboat. The fund will offer grants focused on helping businesses to retain jobs and meet operational costs during these difficult periods of trading and is designed to be complementary to additional measures provided by the Government such as the Jobs Support Scheme and the Local Restrictions Support Grant. Bootle One Stop Shop is operating by appointment only during the hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. All ARG funds must be disbursed to successful applicants by 31 March 2022. Documents can be posted or emailed to the Licensing Office.The Licensing Authority has a legal obligation to prevent persons from applying for and being granted Taxi and Private Hire Driver and Operator Licences when they do not have the right or entitlement to work in the UK. Leader of Wirral Council, Seftons Public Health Annual Report supports 30 Days of Sefton in Mind, Sefton landlord ordered to pay back money after operating premises without a licence, Council finalising testing arrangements to help detect and contain coronavirus variant, Council welcomes prosecution of unlicensed Southport dog kennels, Sefton urged to keep safe and well during cold snap, Appeal for Witnesses After Road Traffic Collision in Bootle, Sefton backs Keep Britain Tidys million-mile mission to clean up the country. These grants are for businesses in the Leisure & Hospitality industry whose activities have been significantly affected by Covid-19 restrictions. Those payment will be: Businesses subject to National Restrictions from March 2020. For the purposes of this scheme, a leisure business can be defined as a business that provides opportunities, experiences and facilities, in particular for culture, recreation, entertainment, celebratory events and days and nights out. We have received an exceptionally high volume of new driver applications that we will now review and consider for a Sefton licence. Businesses in these sectors are advised to monitor the Councils web pages, and social media for any announcements should Government guidance change or additional funding be made available. We may also require an accountants letter for which a template will be provided. Drivers who are eligible will receive a letter sent to their home address containing details of how to access the grant. The window for applications is now closed, it closed at 5pm on Friday 10 December. Businesses that offer close-contact services, which are required to deliver the treatment. We offer free information and advice for all non-rates enquiries please go to the Invest Sefton website. All businesses must still be trading on 1 February 2021 i.e. You must provide information and documents to support your grant application, so the checklist is to be used to help you gather the information BEFORE you start to complete the online application form. The funding, which has been secured from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, will be used to insulate the homes of low income families in Sefton. Achieve the Vocationally Related Qualification in Transporting Passengers by Taxi & Private Hire (VRQ) (New Applicants). Payments made to businesses before 5 April 2022 will fall into the 2021/22 tax year. From today (Monday, November 30) over 4,000 taxi drivers licensed in Sefton, and who live in the Liverpool City Region, will each be eligible for a 100 support grant. Grant recipients must be aware that the grant is for the ratepayer and may be liable for recovery if the recipient was not the ratepayer on the eligible day. If it is found that any supplier is found to be taking undue advantage or failing in their duty to act transparently and with integrity, then the Council has a right to act to recover payments made. For the purposes of this scheme, a hospitality business can be defined as a business whose main function is to provide a venue for the consumption and sale of food and drink. Are advertising and billboard properties. If you would like further help on finding information from The Sefton Directory please contact Sefton Council Contact Centre on 0345 140 0845. Businesses that provide food and/or drink to be consumed on the premises, including outdoors. The government has announced plans to provide support to businesses that have continued to be closed due to national restrictions implemented in March 2020, for example, nightclubs. Funding for the Discretionary Business Grant was limited and the funding was allocated on a first come first served basis when all of the required evidence had been submitted. A business that directly supplies to the Hospitality and Leisure sectors that: A home-based business (for example, a self-employed person, sole trader, or a limited company) that: predominantly works in or supplies to the Hospitality and Leisure sectors, can no longer generate income through usual channels, e.g., meeting customers, hospitality or leisure business - for example, a gym, a spa, a casino or a hotel, 100% off your business rates bills for the 2020 to 2021 tax year (1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021), 100% off your business rates bills for the first 3 months of the 2021 to 2022 tax year (1 April 2021 to 30 June 2021), 66% off your business rates bills for the rest of the 2021 to 2022 tax year (1 July 2021 to 31 March 2022). The business has only had a restriction placed on its opening times. Sefton Borough Council A principal council, an upper tier local authority, a body responsible for highways, a metropolitan district council, a local council in north west England, an education authority, a council with district-level functions and a council with district-level functions in England Also called Sefton Council. The Government has provided Sefton Council (and other neighbouring Local Authorities in the Liverpool City Region) with further Additional Restrictions Grant payments (ARG3). Further details of the proceedings may be obtained by writing to UBLs solicitors, Hogan Lovells International LLP (Julia.marlow@hoganlovells.com), copying the Council(sian.edwards@sefton.gov.uk). Business ratepayers who have already applied for, or been paid a grant from the national restrictions imposed from 5 January 2021 will not need to re-apply. These venues can continue to be able to operate click-and-collect (where goods are pre-ordered and collected off the premises) and delivery services. We will not be able to process your application without your tax check code. Club spaces that provide opportunities, experiences, and facilities, in particular for culture, recreation, entertainment, celebratory events and days and nights out, may meet the definition of a leisure business. Accommodation such as hotels, hostels, guest houses and campsites. To evidence the loss in sales/revenue of at least 40% and to show trading on or before 31 October 2020, a statement from a qualified, independent accountant using this attached proforma letter is required. Khalil Awla, of Greenwood Avenue in Wigan, was found guilty of murder and kidnapping. Sefton Council is currently distributing over 400,000 in grant funding to support taxi drivers who have been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. If you are applying to be a new Sefton Taxi Driver, contact the Council Taxi Licensing Team by email to arrange an appointment. The Council is using its Household Support Grant funding allocation from the Department of Work and Pensions to provide this invaluable service. Libraries can also remain open to provide access to IT and digital services for example for people who do not have it at home and for click-and-collect services. Entertainment, alcohol and late night refreshment, Contacting the One Stop Shop in relation to taxi licensing queries. A small number of successful applicants will mean that the grant values will generally be higher. On 3 March 2021, Government announced the introduction of grant support for non-essential retail, hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym businesses in England. Those payments will be: For the period 14 October 2020 to 4 November 2020. How do I apply for a private hire operator licence? Before granting a licence we require applicants to: If your application is successful you will then be required to pay a Licence fee. A business is not eligible if it has been subject to Covid-19, environmental health or planning enforcement prosecution (by the Police or any other authority) since 1 April 2020. You can make an application for a licence at either Bootle or Southport One Stop Shop, but due to Coronavirus, restrictions mean you have to book an appointment with the Council Taxi Licensing Team byemail*Please note that it may be several years before a licence becomes available. The team will ask you a few questions and your information will be shared with Sefton CVS (Community Volunteer Service) who are co-ordinating the support in the community.. Grant payments are split into three levels: If you do not occupy a business premises and subject to Business Rates you are not eligible to apply retrospective adjustments to the Rating List are to be ignored for the purposes of determining a grant. If we require further information from you, we will request it via the e-mail provided on the original application. A Micro Business must satisfy two or more of the following requirements in a year: Turnover, not more than 632,000; Balance sheet total of not more than 316,000; Staff headcount of not more than 10. This is an entirelyfreeprogramme of support. More detail of potential awards can be found in the policy document. An application made during the grant application window does not guarantee approval for payment. Indicators that a business is trading are: This list of indicators is not exhaustive, and we may use our discretion to determine if a business is trading. By reading the document first you will have a clearer understanding of the process and evidence that you will be required to provide and upload with your application. Supplier Obligations during the Relief period. If your business operates premises in another local authority within Liverpool City Region (Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, Wirral), and you would like those premises to be considered for this grant, you will need to submit a separate application to each local authority where the premises are located. Applicants must be prepared to provide evidence at short notice should it be required. A new indoor Inflatable attraction is opening in Southport this Saturday. Taxi Licensing Team Environmental & Technical Services Dept 1st Floor, Magdalen House 30 Trinity Road Bootle Merseyside L20 3NJ 0151 934 xxxx xxxxxxx@sefton.gov.uk 0151 934 xxxx www.sefton.gov.uk . Q: Are sports clubs with bars or other social spaces defined as leisure businesses? More than 4,000 drivers will be eligible for a 100 support grant from today (November 30). We are making grant applications as simple and speedy as possible, but we must follow strict processes to avoid fraudulent claims. The business continues to trade including online, or via delivery service etc. How much funding will be provided to businesses? The Government has introduced a scheme for a one off payment of 1000 for wet-led pubs impacted by the Tier 2 or Tier 3 restrictions between 2-29 December 2020. On 7 April 2022 the Council agreed the adoption of a COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund Policy. All enquiries should be emailed to handlgrants@sefton.gov.uk however please read the guidance notes before emailing to see if they can answer your question. 10 There are two Magistrates Courts in Sefton. Contact is currently only available via email to taxiapplication@sefton.gov.uk The number of a businesss Full Time Equivalent staff working in Liverpool City Region. The Government have advised that funding is provided for businesses where the primary purpose is to facilitate social mixing. Employ globally between 10 and 249 Full Time Equivalents (FTE) working at least 35 hours per week and are on payroll (sub-contracted staff are not counted towards the headcount). By working together we aim to deliver the best possible outcomes for Sefton businesses and residents throughout the Covid-19 outbreak. If you think you are eligible for OHLG you can still apply to Sefton Councils Business Rates Team, further information on the OMICRON Hospitality and Leisure Grant can be found on this webpage it is listed below the ARG3. I recognise that the last few months have been exceptionally difficulty for Sefton taxi drivers, and I hope that this new fund will go some way to easing the financial pressure taxi drivers are facing. Fully constituted businesses in liquidation, dissolved, struck off or subject to a striking-off notice are not eligible under these conditions. 8 12 When your vehicle is moving, between what times must you not sound the horn in a built-up area ? Those payments will be: As further national restrictions were imposed before the completion of 14-day cycle pro-rata payments will be paid for the additional 8 days before those additional restrictions were imposed. Following each ride, our drivers have at least 20 minutes to thoroughly clean the surfaces of the car and ventilate the cabin. The Government has launched the COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF) to support those businesses affected by the pandemic who are ineligible for previous related COVID 19 reliefs in the 2021/22 financial year. The primary principle of the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant scheme is to support businesses that offer in-person services, where the main service and activity takes place in a fixed rate-paying premises, in the relevant sectors. The Government has provided Councils with guidance to provide a discretionary discount scheme for nurseries. Level 3 Payment - the rateable value of your premises is exactly 51,000 or more. Businesses providing essential goods and services can stay open. In response to the Coronavirus the Government announced there would be support for small businesses, and businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. schools and other education providers, care homes, health care settings). Please complete theonline formto report an issue. Applications will be assessed in order of date received as long as they are complete. Business will have the option to refuse the discount for 2021/22. Rationale for requesting an accountants letter. Details of incident/complaint (please provide as much information as you can) You may remain anonymous if you wish but if you do provide contact details we will acknowledge your information and reserve the right to contact you if we feel you may be . Successful applicants will be notified by email and payment will be made by BACS. They may remain open for take-away services. Before applying for the Hospitality, Leisure and Retail Grant (Expanded Scheme) we would urge you to read the Guidance Notes and Checklist document. Well be working through your applications as fast as we can and you will be contacted by email when your application has been processed. Public sector organisations and other bodies directly funded by government grants, including education and health related sectors. Only ONE application for the Trading on Scheme must be made. Over 50% of all applications received have been reviewed to date and a proportion of these have been paid. You can complete this by visiting the gov.uk website -. Businesses occupying hereditaments appearing on the local rating list with a rateable value of exactly 15,000 or under on 1 April 2021 will receive a payment of 2,667. The discount scheme will end on 31 March 2022. Business Rate bills for 2021/22 have been withheld until we can apply the discount and we will not be collecting payments until July 2021. You will be contacted directly as soon as your application is processed. A business that was ordered to remain closed on 2 December 2020 due to the imposition of Tier 2 restrictions will be eligible to receive a payment for each complete 14-day cycle they remained closed. Incomplete applications will not be appraised. Some trading indicators are included below that can help assess what can be defined as trading for the purposes of the grant schemes. Direct access to driver management team to help with any queries Funding. For these purposes, the definition of a pub excludes: restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, hotels, snack bars, guesthouses, boarding houses, sporting venues, music venues, festival sites, theatres, museums, exhibition halls, cinemas, concert halls and casinos. Businesses subject to Tier 3 Local Restrictions (from 14 October 2020to 4 November 2020). Your bill could be reduced by up to 100%. Unincorporated businesses will be taxed when they receive the grant income. In those cases where it is clear to the Council that the ratepayer is likely to breach the cash caps, then the Council will automatically withhold the discount. However due to Covid-19 we have had to make some temporary changes to the level of service we can offer during this time. The Local Business Support Grant will be administered by each of the six local authorities that form the Combined Authority, namely Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral. The Council does not have any discretion over the deadlines imposed by the Government. More than 100 Sefton-based businesses applied during the initial grant application window at the beginning of November. Incomplete or inaccurate applications will be rejected, and businesses may miss out on funding. You can request a copy of your bill to be sent to the contact address we already have on record. This data covers coronavirus grant schemes managed by local authorities on behalf of SMEs: Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant - closed March 2022. However, it is expected that the minimum grant level will be around 5,000 and the maximum will be no more than 50,000. Hospitality venues such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs; with the exception of providing food and drink for takeaway (before 10pm; and not including alcohol), click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery. Antrec: 01388 436262 . The licence fee (this will vary depending on the number of licensed vehicles that you wish to use at any one time). From 1 November 2020 these businesses will be eligible to apply for the Local Restrictions Support Grant. How do I apply for a new Hackney carriage or private hire vehicle licence? Theapplication processtakes less than 2 minutes. If you require an appointment for either One Stop Shop please contact our Contact Centre on 0345 140 0845. Please sign up to InvestSeftons mailing list if you havent already sign up by email to be notified when business support funding is made available. Types of eligible personal care businesses: For these purposes, the definition of a personal care business excludes: The following general exclusions on eligibility apply to Restart Grant funding. A business that was ordered to close due to national restrictions imposed during this period will be eligible to receive a payment for the whole period. Council tax energy rebate On 3 February 2022, the government announced support to help households with rising energy bills including a one-off 150 energy rebate payment to council tax . Where a business has a qualifying connection with another business then those businesses will be considered as one business ratepayer for the purposes of the cash caps. Call us Antrec: 01388 436262. Home; . An initial window will open for receipt of applications for the Liverpool City Region Care Providers Grant on Tuesday 4th May 2021 and CLOSE on Tuesday 18th May 2021.