Guidance Archives - Page 26 of 33

Strategic Framework: Levels Protection

Posted on April 13, 2021April 20, 2021 by Fiona Campbell

Today the First Minister gave an update on changes to COVID-19 restrictions. She said, while the data will continue to be monitored, there is now extreme confidence that parts of the country currently in level 4 will move to level 3 on 26 April. Island communities currently in level 3 will likely remain at that level for three further weeks.

The timetable for easing restrictions sets out how and when we plan to lift the current coronavirus restrictions.

Answers to other Frequently Asked Questions.

Indicatively, from 26 April – guests from one household can stay overnight in self catering.

Indicatively, from 17 May – four guests from two households can stay overnight in self-catering (in line with ‘up to four people from two households can socialise indoors in a private home or public space’).

This is either 4/2 or a single household. If you have a large household (more than 4 people) you can’t add anybody else. The only exception would be if they are in an existing support bubble with the main household.

“If circumstances permit, I can confirm that it would be the intention to move to level 1 on Monday 7 June, before then I hope moving to level 0 in late June – and then as we go into the deeper part of the summer, to something much more like normality, over the course of July.” First Minister

Indicatively, from 7th June – Up to 6 people from up to 3 households can stay in self-catering accommodation.

Indicatively, level zero by late June – Maximum of 8 people from up to 4 households.

Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) Chief Executive, Fiona Campbell, said:

“While the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers welcomes today’s announcement of a relaxation of travel restrictions across Scotland there still remains an urgent need for further clarity as to when larger self-catering properties can welcome multiple households which must be addressed.

“The news that our members who operate their properties in Scotland’s island communities will not face the additional barrier of travel restrictions and will be treated the same way as those living in the rest of the country is also most welcome.

“As restrictions are lifted, our guests and visitors can be confident in the knowledge that self-catering is safe, hygienic, and is a minimal risk environment in which they can enjoy a well-deserved break.”

Support for Small Accommodation Providers Paying Council Tax Fund: Eligibility Criteria – B&Bs

Posted on March 4, 2021March 15, 2021 by Melanie Allen

In order to evidence eligibility for this grant, you can collate the following to apply from 15th March. The window to apply is just one week – CLOSES 22 March.

For B&Bs and guest houses, the business will need to:

Confirm that the business premises operates as a guesthouse, bed & breakfast, or similar small serviced accommodation (see fund guidance for definition)
Confirm that the applicant/business pays council tax
Confirm that your business receipts represent a primary source of income (one third or more of earnings)
Confirm that you can provide evidence of active trading up to March 2020 and had intended to continue trading in the tax year 2020-21
Confirm that you are not currently in receipt of COVID-19 related business grant support through the Strategic Framework Business Fund for the premises
Provide evidence of business insurance
Provide evidence of membership, accreditation, registration or listing with a recognised hospitality or tourism agency, representative body or marketing organisation, either national or local (for example, VisitScotland, Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, SBBA, your local destination marketing organisation, AA, Quality in Tourism, etc). Online booking platform listing alone is not accepted as evidence.

Notes:

We believe the following supporting documentation might be required and may help if you have it ready:

Proof of identity, ideally photographic (for example a valid passport or driving licence)
Proof of business address (for example a recent council tax bill or utility bill)
Your self-declaration that the business operates as a guesthouse, bed & breakfast, or similar small serviced accommodation
Can provide evidence of active trading up to March 2020 and had intended to continue trading in the tax year 2020-21 which may be required as a self-declaration
Have evidence of membership, accreditation, registration or listing with a recognised hospitality or tourism agency, representative body or marketing organisation; national or local (for example, VisitScotland, Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, your local Destination Marketing Organisation, AA, Quality in Tourism etc)
Have your Business Insurance Policy document ready. If you do not have specific Business Insurance, including appropriate Public Liability Insurance you should ensure that you do.
One of the folllowing:
- HMRC unique tax reference
- Or VAT registration number
- Or Business Registration Number (provided by Companies House, Charities Commission, Mutuals, Public Register and other statutory and regulatory bodies that you must file accounts and annual membership details with)

All B&Bs, self-catering businesses and guest houses that were previously supported by either the Bed and Breakfast Hardship Fund or the Creative, Tourism and Hospitality Hardship Fund are automatically eligible for support under this scheme. These business SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONTACTED by the local authority and invited to apply for payment. However, IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED – PLEASE APPLY NOW:

If you have not been contacted by your Local Authority, you can apply between 15th and 22nd via your Local Authority Search for: Small Accommodation Providers Paying Council Tax Grant

Support for Small Accommodation Providers Paying Council Tax Fund: Eligibility Criteria – Self-Catering

Posted on March 4, 2021March 15, 2021 by Fiona Campbell

In order to evidence eligibility for this grant, you can collate the following to apply from 15th March. The window to apply is just one week.

Confirm that the business meets the definition of a self-catering property as defined in The Council Tax (Dwellings and Part Residential Subjects) (Scotland) Regulations 1992
Confirm that the applicant/business pays council tax
Confirm that your business receipts represent a primary source of income (one third or more of earnings)
Provide auditable data to support one of the following statements:
- a) My property was occupied for more than 140 days in financial year 2019-20, or
- b) Due to a poor trading season my property was not occupied for 140 days in the financial year 2019-20 but was occupied for more than 140 days in either of the 2 financial years preceding
Confirm that you are not currently in receipt of COVID-19 related business grant support through the Strategic Framework Business Fund for the premises
Provide evidence of business insurance
Provide evidence of membership, accreditation, registration or listing with a recognised hospitality or tourism agency, representative body or marketing organisation, either national or local (for example, VisitScotland, Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, your local destination marketing organisation, AA, Quality in Tourism, etc). Online booking platform listing alone is not accepted as evidence.

Notes:

We believe the following supporting documentation might be required and it may help if you have it ready:

Self-catering properties on Council Tax must be made available for “letting, on a commercial basis and with a view to the realisation of profits, as self-catering accommodation for short periods amounting in the aggregate to 140 days or more in the financial year”.
Have a copy of your council tax bill ready.
We understand that evidencing that your business receipts represent a primary source of income (one third or more of earnings) will be self-declaratory.
Have evidence of your occupancy ready: your SuperControl / Freetobook / Bookster / other occupancy record. If you do not have this formally, you must provide auditable data for example a spreadsheet with dates booked and a total number of nights evidenced. A handwritten diary will not suffice.
Have your Business Insurance Policy document ready. Airbnb insurance will not suffice. If you do not have specific Business Insurance, including appropriate Public Liability Insurance you should ensure that you do.
One of the following:
- HMRC unique tax reference
- Or VAT registration number
- Or Business Registration Number (provided by Companies House, Charities Commission, Mutuals, Public Register and other statutory and regulatory bodies that you must file accounts and annual membership details with)

If you have not been contacted by your Local Authority, you can apply between 15th and 22nd via your Local Authority: Search for: Small Accommodation Providers Paying Council Tax Grant