The Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has today (03 November) urged the Welsh Government to provide extra funding to Conwy County Borough Council to reopen the discretionary grant for applications, following news that the scheme was fully committed at the close of last week.
Commenting, Janet said:
“In spite of continued assertions by the Welsh Economy Minister that businesses can still benefit from funding support available as part of the enhanced ERF lockdown scheme, the Lockdown Discretionary Grant in my constituency was closed to further applications on Thursday, as the funding allocated to Conwy from Welsh Government had been fully committed.
“I am dismayed that the Welsh Government thought it proper to effectively trigger a starting pistol resulting in a serious scramble for support, causing unnecessary pain and confusion. This was plainly unacceptable, and my businesses deserve an explanation as to why this first come, first served farce was forced upon them.
“In the interest of balance, fairness, and proportionality, I urge the Welsh Government to immediately set about providing extra funding to Conwy so that it can reopen the discretionary grant for applications. Support must be provided so that Conwy’s small businesses can bridge this period.
“Businesses and jobs are at risk. Ken Skates must review the amount of money provided to Conwy as a matter of urgency, especially as many local businesses have been closed since the start of October. The business owners of Conwy cannot be left wanting.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
- Please find the grant scheme closure notice, by clicking here.
