The financial assistance scheme to support motorists impacted by the upcoming Sheffield Clean Air Zone (CAZ) is now open for applications from eligible businesses. Sheffield City Council has appointed Shire Leasing PLC, an independent funder, to deliver the scheme which will help businesses reduce the cost of replacing non-compliant vehicles.
Sheffield City Council has secured £28m government funding to help local businesses upgrade vehicles, including support for light goods vehicles (LGV), heavy goods vehicles (HGV), coaches, hackney carriages, private hire vehicles (PHV) and minibuses. Support can be accessed via the Scheme in the form of a grant, interest-subsidised finance or a combination of the two.
Sheffield City Council’s selection of Shire Leasing to deliver funds brings aboard the experience and familiarity gained through their ‘Driving Clean Air’ programme, through which over £2m of financial support has already been delivered to SMEs by means of their position on other similar government-funded CAZ schemes in the UK. In addition to being involved in the development and support of the Bath and North East Somerset CAZ Financial Assistance Scheme framework in 2019, Shire Leasing also administer CAZ financial support for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Bristol City Council and most recently the joint Newcastle and Gateshead council scheme.
Commenting on the launch of the Financial Support Scheme, Julie Henehan, Corporate Development Director at Shire Leasing, said: “The Sheffield City Council financial assistance scheme is the fifth addition to our Driving Clean Air programme. We’re delighted to be working with the Sheffield team to support the city in improving air quality, making it an even better place to live, work and visit.
“Over the past three years our team have developed expertise in delivering Clean Air Zone financial assistance and we look forward to bringing our knowledge and hassle-free processes to help eligible SME’s to upgrade their vehicles swiftly and more affordably.”
Businesses interested in accessing the scheme must first pass an initial eligibility assessment with Sheffield City Council. Once a Basic Eligibility Letter is issued, businesses can use this to apply for financial support directly with Shire Leasing via their dedicated webpage.
