THURROCK Council is giving businesses and tenants more time to pay their dues to the authority because of the financial impact of coronavirus - but it will all have to be paid eventually.

Earlier this week the council announced it would "be playing its part in helping the borough's businesses as they face uncertainty caused by coronavirus by deferring all business rate bills a month from April until May."

The move is intended to be a 'breathing space' for cash-strapped businesses - who may then be able to get cash from the government to help offset those payments.

Cabinet Member for Finance Cllr Shane Hebb explained: "We are deferring payment in April, whilst the government business rates initiative is put in place for the affected businesses - otherwise businesses will still pay business rates in April.

"So it is a technical "deferral", but it is intended to only be a technicality to allow the time needed to adopt the changes as announced by the government, for the positively affected businesses."

And today (Friday, 27 March) the council announced a second deferment relating to rents owed to the council for property they rent out.

The council will offer local businesses, sports clubs and community groups support by agreeing to defer rental payments.

Cllr Hebb said: "This is a time of uncertainty for many of the borough's businesses, sports clubs and community groups. Our move will give sport and community groups financial relief during a time when they will not be able to hold events and meetings to raise money and collect subs.

"By deferring rent payment for three months the many businesses and groups that rent their premises from the council will have a chance to get government support and better manage cash flow in this critical period.

"It follows my earlier announcement that we are deferring business rate payments from April. We are taking unprecedented steps to support our businesses in this difficult time."

• The rent payments will be deferred for the first quarter (or three months for those paying monthly) and businesses, sports clubs and community groups will be able to pay the rent for that period over the rest of the year.

• The business rate deferment means that those who pay ten months April – January will now pay May to February. Those that pay over 12 months will now pay over 11 months – May to March paying off part of the deferred payment each month.

Council leader's message to borough residents