Agenda item

A report was presented to update the Board on the outcome of negotiations with Central Government together with an outline of how the funds received would be deployed.

The Mayor stated that on Saturday 24 October 2020, South Yorkshire had entered into Tier 3 of the Covid restrictions as set out by Central Government, which had been at the end of the negotiations with the Mayoral Combined Authority, South Yorkshire local authority leaders and the Government.  The tier system had then been replaced by a month-long national lockdown for England from 5 November 2020.  Nevertheless, there was a need for decisions to be made on the £41.3m support that had been secured comprising of £11.3m support for track and trace and public health related activities, together with a £30m package for businesses and residents to mitigate the economic and social effects of the restrictions.

Councillor Dore stated that this had been an incredibly difficult time for everyone.  The £30m package was very welcome, but she considered that it was definitely not enough when looking at the individuals and organisations in particular the small businesses, freelance workers, sole traders and the self-employed that had fallen through the cracks in the Government’s scheme.  She considered that the work undertaken across South Yorkshire had been incredibly difficult, however she was really pleased that this had collectively and collaboratively concluded with a common scheme across South Yorkshire which would help those people that the Government had allowed to slip through the cracks in the scheme.  She expressed her thanks to colleagues and officers who had worked incredibly hard to get South Yorkshire to this point.

The Mayor stated that he was sure that Councillor Dore’s sentiments would be shared across the MCA.

Councillor Houghton CBE reiterated the positive nature of the Government’s scheme and the help that was required by the businesses.  However, prior to the national lockdown, South Yorkshire had been allocated £30m as a Tier 3 area, but the money had been utilised to support the impact of the national lockdown.  At the same time, the Government had allocated equivalent amounts of funding to other areas within the country going into the national lockdown.  Therefore, South Yorkshire would be no better off than other areas within the country.  The Government had indicated that post lockdown, that the areas would move back into their tiers which would mean that those areas returning back into Tiers 1 and 2 would have a financial advantage over South Yorkshire, as the restrictions placed upon Tier 3 were much more severe than those in Tiers 1 and 2.  It was important for South Yorkshire to receive additional funding to support the position in December 2020.  He had raised the position with the Local Government Association who would address the matter with the Ministers.

Mayor Jones CBE concurred with the comments made by Councillor Dore and Councillor Houghton CBE.  She emphasised the need to press the Government hard that South Yorkshire should not be put at a disadvantage, and that its businesses and residents deserved better.  She was delighted to note that Councillor Houghton CBE had liaised with the Local Government Association who would press the Government.

The Mayor agreed with the comments made and the urgent need to continue to press Government for additional financial support for the businesses and communities within South Yorkshire.  The Spending Review would take place next week, which would provide a further opportunity for the Government to invest into the region.

RESOLVED – That the MCA:-

i)       Noted the agreement reached with the Government to support public health activities and also businesses and residents and the subsequent work on the detail of those strands.

ii)      Agreed to accept the grant of £30m for the purposes set out above.

Delegated authority to the Section 73 Officer to accept the money and put in place sub arrangements.