Over the past few weeks, it has been encouraging to see how businesses and communities across Elmbridge are recovering from the disruption caused by Coronavirus.
I’ve recently been out in Molesey with local Conservative Councillors Steve Bax and Peter Szanto. This was part of a series of visits I’m making to local businesses and high streets to make sure they’re getting the support they need. I was impressed to see how agile and innovative many businesses had been – like the cafes turning their hand to deliveries – carefully following the government’s COVID secure guidelines.
It was also great to hear how government support has helped keep local businesses afloat. Business owners told me that they’d made use of the furlough scheme, Bounce Back Loans, small business grants and business rates relief.
The data shows how important some of these schemes have been in Elmbridge. By the beginning of July, the furlough scheme had protected the jobs of 16,600 Elmbridge residents. In addition, businesses are receiving £31m in business rates relief, and over £23m in government-funded grants. They are still facing tough conditions, though, so I would encourage residents, where they can, to get out (with a face covering) and support them.
Separately, I’ve been making sure that Elmbridge Borough Council has the funding it needs to properly serve residents and communities through the pandemic. The government has now provided the council with an extra £1.56m since the pandemic began. Importantly, this funding is “un-ringfenced” – meaning that it can be spent as the council sees fit, responding to local pressures.
This combination – backing our local businesses, and supporting the council to help residents – will help Elmbridge bounce back from Coronavirus.