Decision details

To approve the increase of authority daily processing monetary limits in the BACS electronic payment system (PayGate).

MHCLG has provided funding to support the Covid-19 Business Grants scheme. This funding will be paid to all Local Authorities responsible for administering the scheme on 1 April 2020. The value of this funding for Wiltshire Council is £106m with payments likely to start to be processed the week beginning 6 April. The payment of these grants to businesses is over and above the normal business of the council and will increase the value of daily payments that are processed through the BACS process. The daily values are likely to be significantly in excess of normal BACS processing monetary values.

As a result of these additional payments that will be made it is necessary to approve the increase of the authority daily processing monetary limits in the BACS electronic payment system (PayGate) from £25m to £40m.

I confirm that in making this decision I have considered the following in line with Wiltshire Council’s Constitution:

Key decision requirements: yes

Views of relevant cabinet member(s), committee chairman, area board(s): yes


Consideration of the area boards and delegated decision checklist for officers on the issue of when and how to involve local councillors and area boards in decisions about local services: not applicable

Implication of any council policy, initiative, strategy or procedure: yes

Consultation in accordance with requirements and expectations of consultation with the public: not applicable

Range of options available: yes

Staffing, financial and legal implications: yes

Risk assessment and equality implications: yes

Involvement of statutory officers and/or directors: yes

Regional or national guidance from other bodies: yes

The council’s constitution: yes

This contract is suitable for execution under the e-signature process: not applicable

The only other option would be to schedule payments up to the value of the daily processing limit. This is not acceptable as it will delay paying grants across to businesses where these payments need to be made as quickly as possible.