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£500,000 Small Business Support and Apprenticeship Scheme
The Conservative Group note that businesses in Bury have suffered greatly over the last year and the Council needs to provide more support on top of the millions the received from Central Government.
To promote micro-businesses, including those who are registered at home businesses, grants will be provided. Match funding up to £2,500 in business support will help businesses thrive and create a micro-business boom in Bury.
As part of the funding, the Council will support Small Businesses, those who employ between 10-49 employees. Apprenticeship grants will be given to those who take on an apprentice living in Bury. £1,000 will be given to businesses with a maximum of two per business. The aspiration is for 100 apprenticeships to be created within the private sector.
A discretionary grant scheme will also be created and used to further support businesses with need of financial assistance to keep operating. The Grant funding will cover a range of sectors including but not exclusive to, Kennels, catteries, dog groomers, coach firms and airport transfer companies haven’t been forced to close during the current lockdown, but their trade has been massively impacted.
The funding will also include support to community facility which is open to members of the community to access, such as village halls and community centres.
Bury Council will provide support to businesses which have not received any of the grants from central government or any other previous Council scheme. Grants of up to £2,500 will be provided. £125,000 will be ringfenced for this support.
Supporting Hackney and Private Hire Taxis
The Conservative Group for many years have called on extra support to the Hackney and Private Hire taxis. We recognise that the fees are high and the Council needs to do more to support. The current Taxi driver license fee (valid for 3 years costs £180[1]. This amendment will reduce the cost of the license fee to £120 over three years.
In September 2019 the Conservative Group tabled a motion to support Taxi Drivers which the Labour Council rejected. The Conservative Group stated, The vital contribution that Bury’s taxi drivers make to providing safe and accessible transport, including for many of the Borough’s elderly, disabled and younger residents.
That as the Licensing Authority Bury MBC, must do all it can to support the Borough’s hard working taxi drivers and play it’s part in ensuring the trade provides a sustainable income for local drivers and their families[2].
To further support the Hackney and Private Hire Taxi’s this amendment proposes the establishment of a VOSA MOT Testing Station scheme. This will enable competition and choice for Hackney and Private Taxi Drivers in Bury.
[1] Taxi licensing fees - https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=10980
[2] NOTICES OF MOTION - https://councildecisions.bury.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=8580