Update for Businesses on Accessing £7,500 Payments and Rates Relief Scheme

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council can advise on the latest information for businesses impacted by the flooding emergency:

£7,500 Grant Payments

• To receive their payments, businesses are asked to fill in an information form available here: www.newrymournedown.org/flooding-support-for-businesses
• Details must be submitted by all businesses impacted by flooding BEFORE Friday 17 November to receive their payment. Please note, this applies even if you have previously provided details to Environmental Health.
• Cheques will be issued on receipt of the received form, and it is expected they will start to be delivered week commencing 13 November.
• The £7,500 grant payments are part of the £15m package is to support the wider economic recovery announced this week by Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris

Rates Relief Scheme

• Ratepayers DO NOT have to make an application for the Rates Relief Scheme. The Council will provide LPS with a list of flooded properties in their area and LPS will automatically apply the relief to the rate account.  Ratepayers who have already paid their rates for the current year in full will receive a refund.
• The new rate relief measures will include 100% relief for non-domestic rates on flooded properties as well as support to help businesses temporarily relocate. Land & Property Services (LPS) published further information today on the rate relief available to business premises impacted by the recent flooding. See: https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/emergencyraterelief
• To further advise on the Rates Relief Scheme staff from LPS will be attending information sessions in Newry and Downpatrick and organised by the Council. See below.

Information Sessions for Businesses

• A combination of group and one to one information sessions will take place in Newry Leisure Centre on Tuesday 14 November and in Downpatrick Arts Centre on Wednesday 15 November between 10am to 12noon and 1pm to 3pm.
• The sessions will be attended by LPS staff to provide information on the Rates Relief Scheme and Department for Communities Employer Services Branch to provide information to impacted employers and employees.
• Council staff will also provide the latest advice and information to businesses as well as gathering further details from impacted businesses to establish in more detail the scale and scope of the damage to support the wider economic recovery.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Cllr Valerie Harte said, “Working closely with the relevant Government departments the Council has now established the processes for getting money to businesses as quickly as possible. We appreciate that this is progressing quickly and would encourage businesses to attend one of the upcoming information sessions. We will continue to keep you informed.”