Small businesses having problems getting support grants

The issue was raised at Thursday’s virtual council meeting by independent Councillor Paul Berry.

The Councillor explained that some small business owners had been in touch with him to say that they were having difficulties applying for the grant as they pay their rates within their agreed rent and, as a result do not have a separate Rates ID.

As a result they are told they need to speak to someone in Land and Property Services (LPS) but are, despite numerous attempts, unable to get a hold of anyone.

Councillor Berry asked if there was a way a Council could help and his question was address by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Counci’s Strategic Director, Olga Murtagh.

“Every single member of my team has been working hard to deal with business support,” said the Director.

“We are aware of classification difficulties on the LPS database and we are actively following up with LPS with any queries we may have.

“If any Councillor knows of any businesses facing this problem they should get in touch with and we will follow it up with LPS.”

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service after the meeting, Cllr Berry urged the Minister to make it easier for Councillors to contact LPS directly.

“The Business Grants announced and financed by our UK Government has been very welcome and has been a real protection currently for all the businesses who have received this grant,” he said.

“However, there are businesses that have contacted me who still have not received theirs.

In these cases the problem is that they were paying their rates in with their monthly rent to the landlord instead of having a separate Rates ID Number.

“The real problem for these businesses has been getting to speak to someone in Land and Property Services to try and resolve this issue as they are an eligible business due to them paying rates, albeit via a landlord.

“I would urge the Minister to make it even easier for us as Councillors to contact staff directly in this Department to represent these business owners.”

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