Issue - meetings

Recommendation:

That the Executive:

     I.        Delegates to the Leader of the Council to vote in support of the Farnham BID with the Council’s nine votes as a levy payer.

    II.        Delegates to the Leader of the Council to vote in support of the Godalming BID with the Council’s six votes as a levy payer.

  III.        Notes the annual cost to the Council of its levy contributions set out at 11.1, the cost of which have been included in the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP).

                     I.        Give delegated authority to the Leader of the Council to vote in support of the Farnham Page 4 BID with the Council’s nine votes as a levy payer;

                    II.        Give delegated authority to the Leader of the Council to vote in support of the Godalming BID with the Council’s six votes as a levy payer; and

                  III.        Note the annual cost to the Council of its levy contributions set out at 11.1, the cost of which havebeen included in the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP).

56.1    Councillor Townsend was pleased to introduce the report which demonstrated a continued commitment to building a thriving economy across the Borough. Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) had been developed to generate additional investment for focused activities to support retail and other businesses in high streets. Legislation enabling the formation of BIDs was passed under the Local Government Act 2003, specifically the BIDs (England) Regulations 2004.

56.2    It was explained that in 2021 the Council had allocated £40,000 of the Additional Restrictions Grant to support the process, which had enabled the employment of Mosaic Partnership to develop the BIDs ready to go to ballot with a BID business plan for each settlement in June or September 2023. The Council as a business rate payer had a number of votes (relating to the number of rateable properties) to cast in the ballot. Ballot papers had been issued with returns expected by 31 October 2023.

56.3    Executive Members’ statements in support of the recommendations included:

·       Frustration with the inequity of business rates retention where only 5p in each £1 was retained by WBC, whilst the government received 80p from each £1 collected

·       It was disappointing that the government had again delayed a much needed review of business rates

·       Town and Parishes Councils received nothing from business rates collected, despite being readily associated with high streets by residents

·       The projects outlined would bring tangible improvements to town centres, including improving the appearance of empty shops; and

·       The proposed investment in wifi for Godalming town centre was welcomed together with destination marketing to promote the ‘dwell time’ opportunities that were already established.

The Leader clarified that every rateable business in the BID area would receive a ballot. 

The Executive RESOLVED unanimously to:

1.     Give delegated authority to the Leader of the Council to vote in support of the Farnham Page 4 BID with the Council’s nine votes as a levy payer;

2.     Give delegated authority to the Leader of the Council to vote in support of the Godalming BID with the Council’s six votes as a levy payer; and

3.     Note the annual cost to the Council of its levy contributions set out at 11.1, the cost of which havebeen included in the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP).

Reasons

1.     Supporting BIDs forms part of the Council’s existing and emerging Economic Development Strategy to support the high streets and a vibrant business economy in the borough.

2.     The Council has invested in the BID development process since 2018, having commissioned a feasibility study and provided grant funding to each BID area.

3.     The Council has a statutory responsibility to work with BIDs, which provides a good opportunity to build a partnership with these stakeholders.

4.     The Council voted for the Cranleigh BID in June 2023 and therefore precedent has been set for the Council’s support of further proposed BIDs