Issue - meetings

This paper seeks agreement from the Executive for a ballot to take place in November 2015 to allow local businesses to decide whether they would like to form a Business Improvement District for York City Centre.

Resolved:   That the Executive agree to:

·          Support the City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) and approve the draft Business Plan put forward by the City Team York Executive

·          Confirm that the Executive is satisfied that the York BID proposals are not in conflict with any existing Council Policy, and that the proposed BID boundary has not been manipulated inappropriately

·          Approve the BaselineServiceAgreement which provides a legal commitment to maintain provision of relevant services in the BID area

·          Approve the arrangements for the Council to operate the ballot and act as the collection agent for the levy

·          Note the stages and timescales required to implement the decision as outlined in these recommendations.

·          Agree to the release of £14k from contingency to fund the additional work outlined in the report.

Reason:      To support the continuing development of a Business Improvement District in York, and subsequent progression to ballot stage and to provide a budget for necessary expenditure.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Communities and Neighbourhoods regarding proposals for the formation of a Business Improvement District (BID) for York City Centre. Members were asked to support the arrangement of a ballot which would allow local businesses to decide whether they wished to form a BID, the benefits of which were set out at paragraph 20 of the report. Members also considered a draft business plan, feasibility study and baseline agreements for the BID.

Officers presented the report and referred to the support received from earlier speakers, the Retail Forum and City Team for the proposals and confirmed the Electoral Reform Society recommendation for an earlier start date for the ballot. Officers also confirmed that the points raised by the scrutiny committee had been noted.

Members also expressed their support for the proposal and confirmed that details of nominations on the BID Board had not yet been confirmed. Consideration was then given to the following options:      

a)       Proceed as set out in the report and absorb any costs

b)       Proceed as set out in the report but charge a one off fee for any work carried out

c)        Negotiate that any fees or costs incurred by the Council are removed as part of our contribution to setting up the BID.

Resolved:   That the Executive agree to:

·          Support the City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) and approve the draft Business Plan put forward by the City Team York Executive

·          Confirm that the Executive is satisfied that the York BID proposals are not in conflict with any existing Council Policy, and that the proposed BID boundary has not been manipulated inappropriately

·          Approve the Baseline Service Agreement which provides a legal commitment to maintain provision of relevant services in the BID area

·          Approve the arrangements for the Council to operate the ballot and act as the collection agent for the levy

·          Note the stages and timescales required to implement the decision as outlined in these recommendations.

·          Agree to the release of £14k from contingency to fund the additional work outlined in the report.^1.

Reason:      To support the continuing development of a Business Improvement District in York, and subsequent progression to ballot stage and to provide a budget for necessary expenditure.