East Cambridgeshire District Council

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Contact the Council

Telephone: 01353-665555

Finance & Funding

Funding Sources

Getting the right type of grants, funding and finance for your business is essential. There are many different types available - each of them designed to meet different needs.

Although the Council doesn't offer any grants to businesses in the district there are a number of organisations that can help you with business funding.

Energy Efficiency Financing

The Carbon Trust is an independent company funded by Government. Its role is to help the UK move to a low carbon economy by helping business and the public sector reduce carbon emissions now and capture the commercial opportunities of low carbon technologies. They offer leases, loans and other financing options from £1,000 upwards with no maximum to all types of organisations. New, more efficient equipment should lower energy bills and with payments calculated so that they are offset by the anticipated energy savings, the financing option is designed to pay for itself.

Visit the Carbon Trust Website for More information

Fens Adventurers Rural development programme

The Fens Adventurers Rural Development Programme (FARDP) is a £4 Million grants programme seeking to invest in the start-up or enhancement of local rural businesses based in parts of Cambridgeshire and the West Norfolk Fens. The objectives of the programme are to improve the economic performance of rural business within four priorities:

Sustainable Food and Farming
Rural Business Development
Sustainable Rural Tourism
Enterprising Communities

FARDP will look to invest between £10,000 and £100,000 per enterprise and depending on the activity and relevance to the programme objectives the funding will contribute between 20% and 60% toward the overall project cost.

For more information view the FARDP prospectus below, or contact Mike Carter Tel: 01353 865047 Email: mike.carter@cambsacre.org.uk

Business Funding: FARDP Prospectus

Foundation East Business Loans

We lend money to small businesses and social enterprises that have workable business plans but can't get a bank loan or need additional funds to match bank lending. We aim to help people from all backgrounds overcome financial disadvantages and raise money for business. Without access to finance many businesses do not get off the ground and others are unable to expand. Foundation East is a non-profitmaking organisation. We are an ethical lender. Our charges are transparent and designed to cover the costs of providing the service. Enterprise Loans range from £3,000 to £50,000. Terms are from six months to ten years. Interest rates vary depending on the business. The rates will usually be in the range of 12-15%. Please contact us for a written quotation.

To apply for a loan, telephone our office on 01284 757777 to discuss your requirements with one of our team.

Foundation East Business Loans Information

Business Rates

Non-Domestic Rates, or Business Rates, are collected by local authorities for central government. Business rates mean businesses contribute towards the cost of providing local services. Each non-domestic property has a rateable value set by valuation officers of the Valuation Office Agency (VOA).

Small Business Rate Relief

A new rate relief scheme to help small businesses was introduced on the 1st April 2005.

Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) has two elements where the qualifying criteria are met. A reduction in the amount payable where a business occupies a property with a rateable value of less than £10,000, and the application of a lower non-domestic multiplier where a business occupies a property with a rateable value of less than £15,000. SBRR is not available for unoccupied properties.

SBRR is only available to a ratepayer with either:

One property with a rateable value of less than £15,000 in England; or
One main property and other additional occupied properties in England providing these additional properties each have rateable values under £2,200 and the total value of all the properties (including the main property) remains under £15,000. SBRR is only payable on the main property.
Please note that if you are already in receipt of charitable rate relief in relation to your property, you will not be eligible to receive SBRR.

To apply for SBRR, please read the SBRR notes and complete the relevant sections on the SBRR application form as fully as possible. Both the notes and the application form are available to download at the bottom of this page. Once complete, sign and date the form and return it to:

Business Rates, East Cambridgeshire Council, Admail 735, Cambridgeshire, CB7 4XP

Please note that you can only qualify for SBRR provided certain eligibility criteria have been met. Failure to meet any one of the criteria will result in relief not being awarded. Additionally, should your circumstances change and you no longer meet the qualifying criteria, you must notify the Council so the SBRR can be stopped from the date the change occurred. Applications must be renewed annually.

Small Business Rate Relief Guidance Notes

Small Business Rate Relief Application Form

Business Link

For more information on the available national Grants and Finance for business please visit the Business Link website. You can also find information on finance related subjects including borrowing, shares & equity, business banking and debt recovery.