Questions raised over support for business in Calderdale compared to other regions

Coun George Robinson, speaking at February’s full meeting of Calderdale Council, said a £4.2 million Additional Restrictions Grant pot had been made available by the Government and is directly distributed by councils who can decide the requirements to get the grant and the grant levels.

“It seems to me businesses in Calderdale are being disadvantaged compared to other local authorities,” he said.

Coun Robinson (Con, Hipperholme and Lightcliffe) said supply chain businesses in Calderdale were able to get up to £3,000 – but in neighbouring Bradford the equivalent businesses were able to claim up to £20,000.

“This is unfair and quite simply it is generating a postcode lottery,” he said.

Coun Robinson asked Cabinet if the levels could be reviewed and additional payments be made to those businesses which had been “disadvantaged.”

Cabinet member for Regeneration and Strategy, Coun Jane Scullion (Lab, Luddenden Foot) said she did not have all the details to hand in order to respond to the question but would provide Coun Robinson with a full response and copy it to other members.

She also wanted to check out what Coun Robinson had said as there were grants which had different time periods and different amounts.