Perth & Kinross Council’s Discretionary Fund is open for applications. The fund was doubled from its original £60 million to £120 million as of 10th February 2021 to allow councils to respond further to local economic pressures.
What is this fund?
The PKC Discretionary Fund aims to provide direct financial support to businesses in the Perth & Kinross Council area, specifically to mitigate immediate financial challenges arising from the COVID-19 restrictions and regulations announced in October 2020.
UPDATE: An increase in Discretionary Grant payments from March 8th has brought the one-off grant award up to:
- Owner operated businesses, no employees: £4,000
- Businesses employing 2 – 10 staff: £7,000
- Businesses employing 11 or more staff: £10,000
Qualifying businesses that received the initial one-off grants of £2000 will be topped up to bring payments to the new funding amounts outlined above.
Please note, these businesses will be contacted directly via email and informing them of the additional payment. Please do not contact us – we will contact you. We may ask for additional evidence if required.
The Discretionary Fund also remains open to new applicants who will be awarded the one-off amount at the new, higher rate. See below.
Who is eligble?
Small and micro-businesses – 50 employees or fewer – that have been unable to access other funding and support since October 2020 and are therefore experiencing hardship.
The following businesses can apply:
- Limited Company (including Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations and social enterprises)
- Sole Traders
- Trusts
- Partnerships
- Community Interest Companies
- Freelancers
- Self-employed individuals
- Sub-contractors
Notes to consider re benefit payments
If you are in receipt of Universal Credit or any other Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits, receiving this grant may affect your benefit entitlement. This could mean you need to pay some money back to DWP, or that your future payments are reduced.
How this affects you depends on your individual circumstances and you should contact DWP to confirm this. PKC cannot advise on individual circumstances.
If you are in receipt of Council Tax Reduction from your Local Authority you are also under a duty to report this grant to the local authority’s benefits or council tax service.
Making Your Application
Please note: When making your application you will be asked to upload various supporting documents so it will be important to have these to hand and ensure all the required supporting evidence (e.g. bank statements) is submitted. Details of what you need is listed within the application form.
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The following types of businesses are NOT eligible for this fund. Please see the PKC website for other available funds.
- Any business which has received a grant through the Strategic Framework Business Fund (Closure/Restriction Fund)
- Taxi, private hire and coach operators
- Mobile Close Contact Services (including child minders and driving instructors)
- Travel Agents
- Brewers
- Tour Operators
- Visitor Attractions
- Wedding and Events venues
- Activity and Outdoor Tourism providers
- Hostels, Hotels, Guest Houses, B&B and Self Catering accommodation providers (including those paying Council Tax rather than Non Domestic Rates)
- Inbound Tour Operators Events Industry providers