Business owners have expressed their anger and frustration at what they say is slow movement from the council in getting financial support to them.
Under a Welsh Government scheme administered by local authorities, businesses can apply for two different grants to support them through the coronavirus crisis.
However, business owners in Caerphilly County Borough have issued an open letter criticising the council for not getting the support to them quick enough.
Caerphilly County Borough Council has said it is processing the applications as quickly as it can and that payments will be made shortly.
The letter, signed by 45 business owners, reads: “This open letter is a result of our collective desperation, ignored messages, unanswered calls and disregarded emails. Caerphilly Council: Consider this a direct appeal. Local businesses need your help and we need it now.”
The letter claims that while the council has received £36 million to pass on to businesses, only a fraction of claims have been processed – and, as of April 6, none have been paid.
It says that businesses based in other parts of Wales started to receive grant money a week ago.
Caerphilly County Borough Council said it has so far approved 452 grant applications equating to £5.5m.
Payments, it said, will start to appear in bank accounts from tomorrow and that it is looking into quicker ways to get the money to businesses.
So far it has received 1,700 applications but expects that around 3,000 will apply.
Cllr Sean Morgan, Deputy Leader of Council said: “We are aware of the publication of an open letter from a group of local businesses concerned about the perceived delay in processing these grants. I would like to assure the whole business community that we are working seven-days-a-week to process these grants and our processing rate to date is very much in keeping with the national position.
“I appreciate that businesses are keen to receive this money as quickly as possible, but we also have a responsibility to ensure due diligence when it comes to issuing public funds.
“I would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we try our best to respond to the challenges of this national emergency and I would also like to re-emphasise our full support to the local businesses community.”
Welsh Government Business Grants
The Welsh Government has announced a £1.4bn support package for all businesses listed on the business rates register, covering Business Rate Relief and Business Grants
The Business Grant has 2 different components.
Grant 1 : For retail, leisure and hospitality businesses in Wales, a grant of £25,000 will be offered for businesses in these sectors with a rateable value of between £12,001 and £51,000.
Grant 2 : For all other sectors the Welsh Government package also provides a £10,000 grant to all businesses eligible for Small Business Rates Relief with a rateable value of £12,000 or less (including childcare providers which qualify for rates relief if their rateable value exceeds £12,000).