Information Commissioner's Decision re Howard Quayle

Authority	Cabinet Office
Date received	2022-02-01
Outcome	Withdrawn
Outcome date	2024-11-18
Case ID	2219482

Summary

The request sought extracts from Council of Ministers minutes regarding the Coronavirus Business Support Scheme and the Coronavirus Strategic Capacity Scheme, specifically identifying members present. The response disclosed minutes from four meetings in March and May 2020 detailing the discussion and approval of these schemes, though the request was ultimately withdrawn in November 2024.

Key Facts

The request was made to the Cabinet Office on 2022-02-01 and withdrawn on 2024-11-18.
Minutes from meetings on 16 March, 26 March, 4 May, and 9 May 2020 were provided.
The Coronavirus Business Support Scheme was approved for Tynwald consideration in March 2020.
An amendment to the scheme extended financial assistance to self-employed persons and small businesses with fewer than 100 employees.
The Council approved closing the Coronavirus Business Support Scheme to new applications at the end of May 2020.

Data Disclosed

16 March 2020
26 March 2020
27 March 2020
04 May 2020
09 May 2020
2020/82
2020/108
2020/186
fewer than 100 employees
three months
47 pages
3 documents

Original Request

Extracts from the Minutes of the Council of Minsters at which - 1. the Coronavirus Business Support Scheme 2020 - SD 2020/0156 ; and 2. the Coronavirus Strategic Capacity Scheme (Tourist Accommodation) were discussed, showing the COMIN members present on each and every occasion that such schemes were discussed.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Minutes of the Meeting of the Council of Ministers Held on Monday 16 March 2020 at 9.00am in the Council Chamber

Present: Hon R H Quayle MHK, Chief Minister Hon C C Thomas MHK, Minister for Policy and Reform (until 11.35am) Hon L D Skelly MHK, Minister for Enterprise Hon A J Allinson MHK, Minister for Education, Sport and Culture Hon G D Cregeen MHK, Minister for Home Affairs Hon A L Cannan MHK, Minister for the Treasury Hon R K Harmer MHK, Minister for Infrastructure Hon D J Ashford MHK, Minister for Health and Social Care
Hon G G Boot MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture

204/2020 Declarations of Interest or Conflict

Chief Minister and Minister for Enterprise advised of ownership of
tourism related businesses.

220/2020 Coronavirus Business Support Scheme

Paper ref: 2020/82 File ref:

Council considered a paper submitted by the Department for Enterprise regarding the Coronavirus Business Support Scheme and agreed the Coronavirus Business Support Scheme 2020 be moved for approval by the Minister for Enterprise at the March 2020 sitting of Tynwald.

Minutes of the Meeting of the Council of Ministers Held on Thursday 26 March at 10.30am in the King Orry Room

Present: Hon R H Quayle MHK, Chief Minister Hon C C Thomas MHK, Minister for Policy and Reform (via remote link) Hon L D Skelly MHK, Minister for Enterprise (via remote link) Hon A J Allinson MHK, Minister for Education, Sport and Culture (via remote link) Hon G D Cregeen MHK, Minister for Home Affairs (via remote link) Hon A L Cannan MHK, Minister for the Treasury (via remote link) Hon R K Harmer MHK, Minister for Infrastructure (via remote link) Hon D J Ashford MHK, Minister for Health and Social Care (via remote link)
Hon G G Boot MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture (via remote link)

270/2020 Government Business: Urgent Tynwald Sitting – 27 March 2020

Collective Responsibility Criterion identified by the Cabinet Office: Not a collective responsibility matter.

c) Coronavirus Business Support (Amendment) Scheme 2020

Paper ref: 2020/108 File ref:

Council considered a paper submitted by the Department for Enterprise seeking approval for the Coronavirus Business Support (Amendment) Scheme 2020 (“the Scheme”) to be moved for approval by the Minister for Enterprise at the sitting of Tynwald on 27 March 2020.

Council noted the revisions which had been made to the Scheme provided financial assistance for:

• self-employed persons in relevant sectors who meet certain qualifying conditions; and
• businesses with a minimum of one employee (including the owner) and fewer than 100 employees (including the owner/s).

Council further noted that the Scheme encompassed the fisheries sector.

After consideration Council agreed that the Scheme be moved for approval by the Minister for Enterprise at the sitting of Tynwald on 27 March 2020.

Minutes of the Virtual Meeting of the Council of Ministers Held on Monday 04 May 2020 at 09:00am via MS Teams

Present: Hon R H Quayle MHK, Chief Minister Hon C C Thomas MHK, Minister for Policy and Reform Hon L D Skelly MHK, Minister for Enterprise Hon A J Allinson MHK, Minister for Education, Sport and Culture Hon G D Cregeen MHK, Minister for Home Affairs Hon A L Cannan MHK, Minister for the Treasury Hon R K Harmer MHK, Minister for Infrastructure Hon D J Ashford MHK, Minister for Health and Social Care
Hon G G Boot MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture

440/2022 Support Schemes Strategy

Paper:2020/186 File ref:

Council considered a paper submitted by Treasury seeking approval for a proposed strategy regarding a sustainable medium term response for Support Schemes.

The Minister for Education, Sport and Culture welcomed the position outlined and supported a graded measured transition.

After consideration, Council approved the paper and the recommendations to:

Extend the MERA for a further three months (reviewed on a monthly basis);
Extend the Salary Support Scheme for a further three months with access to the scheme being rolled off in line with the lockdown release for different sectors;
The Coronavirus Business Support Scheme to close for new applications at the end of May 2020; and
Separate specific schemes and proposals are developed initially focusing on tourism & hospitality, and manufacturing & engineering sectors as strategic sectors signalling long term concerns, subject to detailed criteria to be agreed between DfE and Treasury.

Minutes of the Virtual Meeting of the Council of Ministers Held on Saturday 09 May 2020 at 09:00am via MS Teams

470/2020 Draft List of Items of Government Business

File ref:

Collective Responsibility Criterion identified by the Cabinet Office: Matter of National Importance.

Council considered the provisional list of Items of Government Business submitted by the Cabinet Office in relation to the extra-ordinary sitting of Tynwald 12 May 2020 and, in respect of those Ministers moving and seconding the respective motions, agreed:

• Emergency Powers (Coronavirus) (Entry Restrictions) (No. 2) Regulations 2020: Minister for Policy and Reform to move; Chief Minister to second • Emergency Powers (Coronavirus) (Provision of Temporary Accommodation) (Amendment) Regulations 2020: Minister for Policy and Reform to move; Minister for Home Affairs to second; • Emergency Powers (Coronavirus) (Events and Gatherings) (Amendment) (No.3) Regulations 2020: Minister for Home Affairs to move; Minister for Education, Sport and Culture to second; • Emergency Powers (Potentially Infectious Persons) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020: Minister for Home Affairs to move; Minister for Health and Social Care to second; • Emergency Powers (Prohibitions on Movement) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2020: Minister for Home Affairs to move; Minister for Health and Social Care to second; • Emergency Powers (Coronavirus) (Closure of Businesses and Other Premises) (Amendment) (No.5) Regulations 2020: Minister for Enterprise to move; Mr L L Hopper MHK to second; • Coronavirus Business Support (Amendment) (No. 2) Scheme 2020: Minister for Enterprise to move; Mr L L Hopper MHK to second; and • Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (Application) (Amendment) (No. 6) Order 2020: Treasury Minister to move; Mr G R Peake MHK to second.

a) Coronavirus Business Support (Amendment) (No.2) Scheme

Council considered a paper submitted by the Department for Enterprise and agreed that the Coronavirus Business Support (Amendment) (No.2) Scheme be moved for approval by the Minister for Enterprise at the sitting of Tynwald on 12 May 2020.

After consideration, Council agreed the provisional list of items of Government Business, noting that a final version would be submitted to the meeting [of Council] on 11 May 2020.

Minutes of the Meeting of the Council of Ministers Held on 5 January 2021 at 10am in the King Orry Room & via MS Teams

Present: Hon R H Quayle MHK, Chief Minister Hon R K Harmer MHK, Minister for Policy and Reform
Hon L D Skelly MHK, Minister for Enterprise [via MS Teams] Hon A J Allinson MHK, Minister for Education, Sport and Culture Hon G D Cregeen MHK, Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Hon A L Cannan MHK, Minister for the Treasury
Hon T S Baker MHK, Minister for Infrastructure
Hon D J Ashford MBE MHK, Minister for Health and Social Care
Hon G G Boot MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture

009/2021 COVID19 update on the emerging Isle of Man situation and policy responses

Paper: 2021/005 File ref:

Financial Assistance Packages

Council discussed that the Business Support Scheme would not, at this time, be re-launched. Council noted that the Manx Earnings Related Allowance and the Salary Support Scheme would be re-introduced retrospectively from Monday 4 January 2021 to 31 January 2021, and that the eligibility criteria would remain unchanged.

Minutes of the Meeting of the Council of Ministers Held on Thursday 14 January 2021 at 9.30 am via MS Teams

Present: Hon R H Quayle MHK, Chief Minister
Hon R K Harmer MHK, Minister for Policy and Reform Hon L D Skelly MHK, Minister for Enterprise Hon A J Allinson MHK, Minister for Education, Sport and Culture Hon G D Cregeen MHK, Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Hon A L Cannan MHK, Minister for the Treasury Hon T S Baker MHK, Minister for Infrastructure Hon D J Ashford MBE MHK, Minister for Health and Social Care
Hon G G Boot MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture

044/2021 Declarations of Interest or Conflict

The Minister for Infrastructure advised that he was a shareholder in a company that might benefit from the Coronavirus Business Support Scheme.

The Minister for Justice and Home Affairs advised that his relations might also benefit from self-employed business support.

052/2021 COVID19 – Circuit Break Business Support

Paper: 2021/019 File ref:

Collective Responsibility Criterion identified by the Department for Enterprise:

Council considered a paper submitted by the Department for Enterprise and Treasury seeking approval for the provision of further financial support, via the Coronavirus Business Support Scheme, to eligible businesses and self-employed persons impacted by the latest restrictions in place to combat the spread of Coronavirus.

The Treasury Minister noted the business turnover requirement – and further noted that any persons qualifying during the previous lockdown were likely to have their support application responded to promptly – new applicants would be subject to the appropriate checks.

Council welcomed the proposed financial assistance during the Circuit Breaker period, however noted that should the lock-down be extended in length than provision would need to be revisited.

The Minister for Justice and Home Affairs queried whether certain trades might contest that they have no expenses, or their income fluctuated or was cost- based.

The Treasury Minster advised that the scheme delivered on its supportive aims overall.

The Minister for Education, Sport and Culture queried the status of Child Nursery facilities – and noted that they might seek support from the re-school either the Business Support Scheme, or Pre-School Credits. The Minister for Education, Sport and Culture and Minister for Enterprise agreed to take this matter offline.

The Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture (“the Minister”) advised that the fishing industry continued to face challenging conditions with diminished markets. The Minister queried whether boat operators would qualify for the scheme – the Chief Financial Officer undertook to review and revert to Council on such.

The Treasury Minister noted that the timing of the Circuit Breaker was directly after the Christmas period – with businesses and households likely to potentially be “feeling the pinch”.

Council supporting taking action now and reviewing – when safe to do so – the situation for certain sectors in due course.

After consideration, Council is agreed to:

Approve the proposals as set out above to reintroduce support under the Coronavirus Business Support Scheme, at an estimated cost of £4m, to be met from the Coronavirus Contingency Fund;
Approve the proposed amendment to the Scheme to reflect that businesses and self- employed persons established in business prior to the 4th January 2021 may be deemed eligible, and for the attached Amendment Scheme to be moved by the Minister for Enterprise at the January sitting of Tynwald by inclusion on a supplementary Order paper.

Action: The Minister for Education, Sport and Culture and Minister for Enterprise to discuss support [via the Business Support Scheme, or Pre-School Credits] for Children’s Nurseries.

Action: The Chief Financial Officer to revert to Council on whether fisheries boat-operators were eligible for Scheme Support.

Minutes of the Meeting of the Council of Ministers Held on Thursday 21 January 2021 at 9.30 am via MS Teams

074/2021

Hon R H Quayle MHK, Chief Minister [Office] Hon R K Harmer MHK, Minister for Policy and Reform Hon L D Skelly MHK, Minister for Enterprise Hon A J Allinson MHK, Minister for Education, Sport and Culture Hon G D Cregeen MHK, Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Hon A L Cannan MHK, Minister for the Treasury Hon T S Baker MHK, Minister for Infrastructure Hon D J Ashford MBE MHK, Minister for Health and Social Care
Hon G G Boot MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture

COVID Phased Lockdown Exit Framework

Paper: 2021/028 File ref:

Collective Responsibility Criterion identified by the Cabinet Office:
The matter is one of collective responsibility. The challenges posed by the Coronavirus require a clear and joined up response.

Council considered a paper submitted by the Cabinet Office seeking approval of the framework for the phased return from the circuit breaker lockdown, and present immediate proposals as part of the first phase.

Council, with the facilitation, advice and support of the officers present, discussed, considered and determined each recommendation [as detailed in the paper].

Council considered the dates of implementation, noting that Amendment Regulations and revised Directions required drafting, approval and signature, and decided that:

• The first stage be implemented by 00:01 Saturday 23 January 2021; and,
• Subject to no further evidence of community transmission, that all restrictions (other than the Border Framework) be implemented by 00:01 Monday 1 February 2021.

The Treasury Minister advised that the Business Support Scheme, the Manx Earnings Related Allowance and the Salary Support Scheme would run until 1 February 2021 inclusive.

Minutes of the Meeting of the Council of Ministers Held on Sunday 28 February 2021 at 12.00 via MS Teams

Present: Hon R H Quayle MHK, Chief Minister
Hon R K Harmer MHK, Minister for Policy

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