Issue - meetings

This report updates the Executive in relation to the November 2015 vote by city centre businesses in favour of a new Business Improvement District. It sets out the views of the Economic Development & Transport Policy & Scrutiny Committee and asks Members to consider the comments made, note the draft Memorandum of Understanding and Operating Agreement and a request for a cash flow loan to the Board.

Resolved:  That Executive agree to:

(i)           Note the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Operating Agreement, included in Annex A and give the Assistant Director Governance and ICT the authority to negotiate and agree the final terms with the Business Improvement District (BID) board.

(ii)          The request from the BID board for a cash flow loan of £50,000 that allows the Business Improvement District to become active as soon as possible. This will be reimbursed to the Council from the BID levy by Summer 2016.

(iii)        Cllrs Steward and Aspden representing the Council on the BID board, with Officers attending meetings where appropriate.

(iv)        That Officers work with the Business Improvement District to arrange a mechanism to ensure that members from the city centre wards are able to have an input into the BID.

Reason:     To support the successful implementation of the Business Improvement District in York.

The Executive considered a report which updated Members on the November 2015 vote, by city centre businesses, in favour of a new Business Improvement District (BID) for York city centre.

It was noted that of around 1,150 businesses within the Guildhall, Micklegate and Fishergate Ward, 76% had voted in favour of the BID, which provided a combined rateable value of 80%. As the billing authority, the Council would collect and transfer funds to the BID company and bill the levy payers annually with any administration costs being capped at £25k.

In response to the request for members of city centre wards to have input into the BID the Executive Member confirmed that the two Council Board representatives would arrange to meet ward members prior to future Board meetings.

The Chair confirmed that, in view of the size of Board membership consideration may be given to possible modifications at the annual general meeting. Other Members raised concerns at the filling of the two CYC posts by the administration Leaders and raised the importance of accountability, transparency and resident engagement.

Resolved:  That Executive agree to:

(i)           Note the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Operating Agreement, included in Annex A and give the Assistant Director Governance and ICT the authority to negotiate and agree the final terms with the Business Improvement District (BID) board. ^1.

(ii)          The request from the BID board for a cash flow loan of £50,000 that allows the Business Improvement District to become active as soon as possible. This will be reimbursed to the Council from the BID levy by Summer 2016. ^2.

(iii)        Cllrs Steward and Aspden representing the Council on the BID board, with Officers attending meetings where appropriate.

(iv)        That Officers work with the Business Improvement District to arrange a mechanism to ensure that members from the city centre wards are able to have an input into the BID. ^3.

Reason:     To support the successful implementation of the Business Improvement District in York.