SOME business in Pembrokeshire are still waiting for the latest round of Covid-19 support, despite the fact it should have been paid out in January.
In December 2021, the First Minister confirmed that the Welsh Government would be making £120m available for nightclubs, events, retail, hospitality, leisure, tourism businesses and their supply chains impacted by the move to alert level two.
The funding took the form of three elements. Non Domestic Rates (NDR) linked grants of up to £6,000. Businesses will need to re-register their details through a quick and easy online process in order to receive their payments. Registration opened local authority websites from the 10 January 2022. Local Authorities were asked deliver a discretionary fund to support sole traders, freelancers and businesses who don’t pay rates, with grants of £500 – £2000.
However, despite applying in January, some Pembrokeshire businesses are still waiting to be paid out.
Pembrokeshire County Council has blamed a computer glitch for the delay in paying out vital funds to businesses.
A spokesman for the Authority said: “Pembrokeshire County Council has been made aware of an IT issue delaying the payment of some Covid-19 support grants.
“The applications affected are those that have been manually processed and which require additional checks.
“The issue has been raised with the Digital Services Team and a solution is being urgently sought to ensure payments reach the recipients as soon as possible.
“Since January, Pembrokeshire County Council has processed more than £1.7m of Covid-19 business support funding.”
James Lemon from Marloes who runs First 4 Fishing said : “I’ve had exactly this problem and had to bypass all usual contact channels – which pretty much were going round in circles.
“However, after going to a higher level it’s now sorted, paid and reliably spent!I was informed there was indeed an IT issue which is now being resolved.
“I on this occasion must thank PCC for their help in resolving this matter.
“To all businesses who applied, it’s being dealt with, just bear with them.”
Pembrokeshire County Council have not said how many businesses are still waiting to be paid.
