EAST Hampshire District Council’s economic development and rural affairs portfolio holder says the council has a crucial role to play helping the district recover post-Covid.

Cllr Ken Moon said: “During the pandemic, our officers helped more than 500 businesses by telephone and email through the emotional and financial insecurity it caused.

“As well as talking and listening, they signposted financial and wellbeing packages – including the extensive grants package which central government asked local authorities to pay out.

“More than 10 different grant schemes have been launched since March 2020, and the councils Business Rates team has provided grant payments in excess of £36.853 million to around 2,500 businesses from then till now.

“And something they businesses have appreciated, is being able to speak with an individual to guide them through the grants process.”

But the former leader of the council says recovery isn’t just about supporting businesses; unemployment here has risen during the pandemic and he is keen to help people back to work.

The Clanfield councillor of 16 years Cllr Moon, who became a councillor to help provide play facilities for children in his home village, an ambition that has been achieved, added: “We are continuing to support and encourage new applicants to the Get East Hants Working apprenticeship scheme.

“And we have also hosted an online jobs fair with our employment partners that included the Department of Works and Pensions; it was most successful one the department had facilitated in this region.

“And we supported Apprenticeship Week through social media content and press releases.

“We have also worked hard to secure jobs and training opportunities from major housing schemes, and are currently monitoring three major housing developments in the district, with targets to create 18 jobs and nine apprenticeships during the development.

“The Kickstart Scheme providing work placements to 16 to 24 year olds has been widely advertised and promoted, and the council is supporting the programme by advertising Kickstart roles in the council.”

However, the keen golfer is firmly of the opinion that the business sector in East Hampshire is resilient enough to ‘grow’ it’s way out of any post pandemic recession.

He said: “Despite the pandemic there have been positive signs of resilience and growth in some sectors such as manufacturing, engineering and hi tech.

“It has been encouraging to see local businesses expand into larger premises, and prestigious businesses looking to move into the district.

“And as a team we continue to talk to businesses looking to invest here and are encouraged by the positive approach and access to capital they have to enable them to carry out their plans.

“We are also working to protect employment use land and respond to planning applications that may affect either the provision of land or the opportunity for employment.

“Key sites we are working on at the moment with partners to bring to market and ultimately develop are Techforest and Louisburg North in Whitehill and Bordon.”

But the economic team isn’t all about ‘big’ business. Cllr Moon firmly believes healthy town centres are vital.

He added: “The council has supported the Shop Local campaign in the Post and Herald newspapers, and hosted a tour of businesses for Damian Hinds MP as part of Small Business Saturday.

“And the council has engaged a retail consultancy to help develop an action plan to support the town centres in the future, and they will be contacting local businesses and residents in the coming months.

“In Petersfield and Alton we have supported the town councils in providing the ‘Free after 3’ car parking scheme over the Christmas shopping period.”

And going forward there are plenty of ‘exciting’ targets to aim at says Cllr Moon.

He added: “The goals of the team continue to be job creation, improving business productivity, enabling businesses to locate and grow in the area and increasing visitor spend.”

As well as helping create jobs, attract and encourage businesses and support town centres, the council is working to increase tourism and rural development, by ensuring the area is promoted as a visitor destination and businesses are connected with available grant funding and support.

Cllr Moon added: “My original reason for being a councillor has been achieved, but I am excited about what I’m doing now at Penns Place. Like everyone, I am not sure what the future holds – except that I’m looking forward to getting back on the golf course.”