Yesterday, Trafford Council announced measures they’re taking to support local businesses during the uncertain times we face. These measures include:

• All recovery action on debts, including for prior years, has been suspended for three months.
• The authority will also ensure that its Council Tax Support Scheme (CTS) continually changes to reflect changes in national benefits through the Council’s discretionary schemes.
• Businesses who have received money from Trafford’s town centre loan schemes can now benefit from a six month repayment holiday to help them.
• Trafford companies entitled to the extended 100% rates reliefs will no longer be required to pay their 2020/21 business rates bill and therefore Direct Debits due for the 1 April will be cancelled. The council will agree special payment arrangements with any/all other businesses who get in touch, initially delaying the 1st instalment due to 1 July 2020, and spreading the remaining instalments over the rest of the year. (You can get in touch using the online contact form here: https://www.trafford.gov.uk/residents/contacts/secure/Business-rates-team.aspx).
• As with residents, all recovery action against businesses, including for prior years, has been suspended for 12 weeks.
• The Council is also working closely with the government to enable speedy implementation of the measures announced for businesses and residents over the last few weeks.

I understand that the Chancellor is set to make further announcements around protecting jobs on Friday 20 March – I’ll do my best to keep everyone updated.