Frequently Asked Questions

How much can I apply for?

The grants are £3,000 each and are designed to support businesses in adopting new approaches that can enhance productivity and foster long-term growth.

What kind of businesses are eligible to apply for the funding?

• Sole Traders
• Micro Business
• Small Business
• Community Interest Companies

Requirements:

• Organisations must employ less than 50 full-time employees and have an annual turnover less than £10.2m or £5.1m or less on its balance sheet.
• Based in Rochford District – you can check this via https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council
• Has a UK bank account.
• Trading for the last 24 months
• Confirmation of alignment to state aid max value requirements

What can I use the funding for?

The grants are aimed at encouraging micro businesses to integrate new systems or processes that are essential for staying competitive in today’s fast-evolving market such as:

• New software or IT equipment that improves your business processes and operational efficiency and/or diversifies your product rangeSpecialist / technical training to upskill you or your staff
• New website with advanced features and functionality to enable your business to become more competitive in the marketplace
• Promotion and marketing materials
• Specialist consultancy that provides strategic advice to the business
• Diversification or new product development

Please note: For any single purchase £2,500 or above, you will be asked to provide evidence that at least 3 written quotations were sought.

What costs are not eligible?

Due to the wide-ranging nature of growth opportunities for sole traders, micro and small businesses, and CICs, RDC do not want to constrain potential applications, however, highlight that the following applications will not be acceptable:

• Funding of Business-as-usual costs such as rent, rates or utilities
• Funding of staff salaries
• Vouchers such as gift vouchers
• Capital costs such as vehicles or land
• Aid for lobbying, entertaining, petitioning or challenging decisions, which means using the fund to lobby (via and external firms or in-house staff) in order to undertake activities intended to influence or attempt to influence Parliament, government, or political activity, including the receipt of UKSPF funding, or attempting to influence legislative or regulatory action.
• Activities of a political or exclusively religious nature.
• VAT reclaimable from HMRC.
• Gifts, or payments for gifts or donations.
• Statutory fines, criminal fines or penalties.
• Payments for works or activities which the lead the local authority, project deliverer, end beneficiary, or any member of their partnership has a statutory duty to undertake, or that are fully funded by other sources.
• Payments made in cash.
• Contingencies and contingent liabilities.
• Dividends.
• Bad debts, costs resulting from deferral of payments to creditors, or winding up a company.
• Expenses in respect of litigation, unfair dismissal, or other compensation.
• Costs incurred by individuals in setting up and contribution towards private pension schemes.
• Retrospective bids (where work has already commenced prior to funding being awarded).
• Hospitality and catering (but volunteer refreshments are eligible).
• Organisational running costs (unless these are directly related to the project delivery) and ongoing costs incurred post project completion (such as maintenance of equipment or licenses/ subscriptions).
• Funding for projects outside of the District of Rochford.

Can I apply for a retrospective purchase?

The grant cannot be used retrospectively for items already purchased, although you can apply for any additional training needed or future upgrades to previously acquired equipment, software or services.

Is there a deadline to spend the funding?

All goods/services must be procured by 31 March 2025, you will be asked to provide evidence of procurement.

Can I book a course that takes place after 31st March 2025?

It is fine to attend a course after 31st March 2025, as long as you can demonstrate that you booked and paid for the course before that date. 

When does the application close?

Applications open 31st January 2025 at 8am and close 14th February 2025 at 12pm