January 2021 updated Guidance related to the LCF and COVID-19

21 Jan 2021

In March 2020 we issued a guidance note on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the LCF and Environmental Body (EB) obligations. This guidance was published on our website and sent by email to the main contact of all EBs. This guidance was reviewed and updated in June, September and October 2020.

We have now further updated this guidance and the updated guidance note is published on the right hand side of this page, and also on the COVID-19 page of our website. The COVID-19 page sets out a timeline of all ENTRUST advice, guidance and information which has been published and you can also review the previous guidance notes on this page. All updates relating to COVID-19 will be added to the page, as well as published as a news item on our website, and where relevant, emailed to EB main contacts.

The main update for this version is regarding our position on projects that were due to end in December 2020. Rather than issue a further blanket extension for all projects, we have contacted EBs for an update on their projects which were due to complete by 31 December. Extensions will still be granted to meet the project need where requested and no reasonable request will be withheld. We consider that this approach will allow us to ensure there is oversight of the projects underway and to ensure there are no issues with any of the projects. It will also allow us to offer any support that EBs may require. Furthermore, we believe this approach will avoid any issues at the end of the financial year when EBs complete their Statutory Annual Returns (Form 4).

We will keep all guidance under review, in line with the Government advice during this unprecedented time. If EBs have any further questions which are not addressed in the current guidance note they should email helpline@entrust.org.uk