The challenge facing Cornwall Council following the further tightening of Covid-19 rules
The leader has spoken about the need to put the health of people in the Duchy first while also standing up for businesses
Last updated 23rd Sep 2020
The leader of Cornwall Council Julian German has urged the government to release unspent business rate grant money to help businesses struggling in the Duchy due to the continuing coronavirus restrictions.
At a full council meeting he said the Chancellor had failed to respond after he urged him to implement the measure.
At the same time the leader of Cornwall Council also stressed the need to put the health of people in the Duchy first by encouraging everyone to follow public health messages on to prevent a second spike of coronavirus.
“Our businesses are already suffering from the economic impacts of the virus. I have yet to receive a reply from the Chancellor regarding Cornwall's call for the unspent business rates grant money to be released to help those businesses that have said they need it through the discretionary business grant process.
“I will therefore write to the Prime Minister this week, making the case again to Government.
“No one understands business needs in Cornwall as well as those of us who live and work here, and we should be allowed to distribute that money to the people who need it most.
“We need to help these businesses and to protect the people they employ. As the furlough scheme draws to an end, this money, that we continue hold, waiting for the government to say we can release it, could provide vital support for Cornwall’s businesses.
“The next few weeks are crucial for us to do everything we can to minimise a second wave of infections. I want to ask everyone to do their bit to help.
“As we move onto the autumn, please continue to follow the key public health rules which are the only certain ways to stop the spread of the coronavirus: wear a mask as appropriate, keeping social distancing and wash your hands.”
Leader of Cornwall Council, Julian German