Applications for the Restart grant are due to go live on 12 April 2021

BUSINESSES re-opening after the ending of National Lockdown Restrictions may be eligible for a Restart Grant of between ₤2667 and ₤18,000 depending upon the type of business and the rateable value of the property they occupy. Grants are only available to Business Rates payers registered with the Council and subject to the National Lockdown Restrictions, from 5 January 2021. Full details of the eligibility criteria can be found on the Council's website.

Businesses are advised to read the eligibility criteria 1st, and to familiarise themselves with the new Subsidy Allowance rules, before completing an online application. The link to the application form is contained within the guidance. Businesses occupying more than 1 eligible property must complete a separate application for each.

The Government are requiring additional information to be gathered from businesses than previous grant applications, and also require the Council to undertake extensive pre-payment verification checks. Consequently, it is estimated that there will be a delay of between 4 to 6 weeks between an application being received and payment being issued to eligible businesses. Every effort will be made to make payment earlier. Businesses are asked to not to request progress updates as this will slow down the issuing of grant payments. Progress updates will be posted on the Council's website and social media.

Foreign Travel Uncertainty is Costing Spanish Holiday Home Owners Thousands

MORE than 600,000 Brits have been left in expensive Tax limbo by the latest Government update on overseas travel, according to accountancy firm Spanish Taxes Online. Non-resident holiday homeowners have to pay Spain's 24% Modelo 210 Tax on the estimated letting value of their property, whether rented out or used exclusively by the owner. Boris Johnson's inability to confirm that non-essential travel will be allowed after 17 May 2021 lengthens a year of concern for people who have been contributing thousands of Euros for largely empty properties. The proposed traffic light system, should at least allow people to visit Spain without quarantining when they return. But the possibility of multiple tests before and after departure may still deter many holidaymakers, further affecting rental incomes. "Holiday home owners have been hit hard financially by a mixture of Covid19 and the UK leaving the EU, which saw their Modelo 210 bills increase by 25%. More delays and uncertainty are worrying, costly and unfair." says Spanish Taxes Online Marketing Director, Nick Ball. Spanish Taxes Online can, however, save people time and money by filling out and filing Modelo 210 Tax returns on their behalf. The fast, secure service, which costs just €59, means you don't need to deal with the Spanish Tax Authorities or complete any complicated forms; especially useful for non-Spanish speakers.

Royal British Legion Formby Branch marked the death of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

THE Royal British Legion Formby Branch marked the death of His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh by laying a Poppy Wreath at the Formby Village War Memorial. Due to ongoing Covid19 restrictions, and the wishes of the Royal Family, only 2 representatives took part in the ceremony.

His Royal Highness, The Prince, Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who has died 2 months short of his 100th birthday, at Windsor Castle. He was a loyal servant of the UK and of the Commonwealth. As the longest serving royal consort in British history, he has become a true British role model.

He served in Royal Navy throughout World War 2, in combat, becoming a true war hero. He also supported so many through many charities, like the Prince's Trust But history will also show that His interest in science led him to become an outspoken Environmentalist His most important legacy will probably be through the fact he was a conservationist who set up the World Wildlife Fund, especially as our world faces a growing climate disaster. His climate views often lead to many jokes within the media, but history will definitely show his views were on the right lines.