Small businesses in Liverpool will have to wait up to six weeks to receive desperately needed stimulus funding after Liberal and independent councillors voted down plans for quicker access.
Labor councillors say this will be another blow to local businesses with their backs to the wall because of the economic damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
A motion before the council at Wednesday’s meeting would have seen quick access to Business Resilience Grants of up to $5,000 provided to small business in Liverpool experiencing financial stress due to Covid-19.
“Small businesses are fighting week to week to keep staff employed and their heads above water – they can’t wait weeks and months,’’ says Labor’s Cr Nathan Hagarty, who proposed an alternative motion that would have seen applications for the much-needed funds approved in a matter of days.
“Council is in a unique position of leadership to help our community,’’ he said after the meeting.
“Everyone one of us should be putting the community ahead of party politics, especially in times like this.
“Liberal and independent councillors voted to tie up the grant approval process in unnecessary red tape,’’ he said.
“This puts to rest any fable that the Liberals in Liverpool are the party of small business and cutting red tape – they’ve done the exact opposite right when business in Liverpool have their backs against the wall.’’
The motion passed means that applications for Business Resilience Grants will have to come before the council at monthly meetings for approval.
“This is the worst economic downturn in a century and I certainly don’t want to be the one standing in the way of businesses receiving the stimulus they desperately need,’’ Cr Hagarty said.
“Let businesses do what they do best and get us politicians out of the way.’’
Labor councillor Charishma Kaliyanda, who supported Cr Hagarty’s motion, said this was a great opportunity to support businesses to be innovative in facing the unique challenges thrown up by Covid-19.
“That opportunity has now been lost and local business in Liverpool have been severely let down,’’ Cr Kaliyanda said.
“These grants will prepare small business for the tough road ahead.’’
