Decision details

RESOLVED that the list of 22 businesses outlined in Appendix B to the report be awarded grants of up to a maximum of £2,500 for undertaking digital improvement projects for their business. The grants will be paid for in arrears on the production of appropriate invoices.

The Harlow Digital Boost Business Grants are funded via the UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF), utilising the remaining funds in the Business Support theme. All UKSPF funds need to be fully spent by the end of March 2025 as otherwise there is a risk that the Council will be required to pay any unspent money back to the Government.

Awarding grants to local Harlow based businesses to undertake digital solution projects will help a range of local businesses to implement bespoke improvements that will help increase their productivity, efficiency and turn over. This ensures that the businesses become more resilient as individual businesses, support their growth and as a result help improve the local Harlow economy.

Do not agree with the recommendations as set out in this report and not utilise the UKSPF funds to provide direct grants to local businesses. This is not a recommended way forward as it will result in poor publicity; will mean that the Council will fail to directly support over 20 local businesses to be more competitive and support local economic growth.