District Council – Winter Support Packages

Last week the government announced new measures to support businesses over the coming months as a result of the impact of Covid-19, and we’re making sure businesses in South and Vale are aware of what help is available to them and we’ve updated our Business Support website with more information. Here’s a quick summary of the headlines:

  • The Furlough Scheme will end. In its place and from the 1 November, the Job Support Scheme will protect viable jobs in businesses who are facing lower demand over the winter months due to Covid-19.
  • The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme extension will support viable traders who are facing reduced demand over the winter months, covering 20 per cent of average monthly trading profits via a government grant.
  • More than one million businesses that have borrowed under the Bounce Back Loan Scheme will be offered the choice of more time and greater flexibility for their repayments.
  • Lenders can offer Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme borrowers more time to make their repayments where needed.
  • The application deadline for all coronavirus loan schemes – including the future fund – has been extended to 30 November.
  • Businesses who deferred their VAT will no longer have to pay a lump sum at the end of March next year. They will have the option of splitting it into smaller, interest free payments over the course of 11 months. Self-assessed income taxpayers can also now extend their outstanding tax bill over 12 months from January.
  • The Government has extended the 15% VAT cut for the tourism and hospitality sectors to the end of March next year.

“Going Forward” Buses serving Dorchester Village

Going Forward Buses runs a local bus service through Dorchester Village to Wallingford on Mondays and to Didcot on Wednesdays. The service leaves the War Memorial at 10.28 on Mondays, returning from Wallingford Market Place at 11.48, and from the War Memorial at 09.38 on Wednesdays, returning from Didcot Orchard Centre Taxi Rank (close to M&S Simply Food and Starbucks) at 12.27. It picks up and sets down at all bus stops in the village, and the Didcot service also serves Tesco Extra, Aldi, Broadway and Didcot Parkway station. For full details please see service D1 on the website Going Forward Buses CIC or call 07484 605888. Concessionary passes are valid for free trvel on this service; othwrise the fare is £4 single (£2 for children up to 18). In line with current coronavirus guidelines you’ll need to wear a facemask when travelling.

More travel information can be found on our travel page