Agenda item - MELTON MOWBRAY BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID) RENEWAL BALLOT

The Portfolio Holder for Climate, Access and Engagement to submit a report informing Cabinet of the work done so far and the implications arising from the ballot process and seeking approval for the relevant documents.

To follow.

Cabinet

1) NOTED that the BID Proposal and the Draft BID Business Plan complied with the Regulations;

2) PROVIDED formal comments for the consideration of the BID Board and REQUESTED that those comments were reflected in the Final Business Plan document;

3) DELEGATED authority to the Director for Growth & Regeneration to finalise the Draft Operating Agreement, including the levy collection charges, in consultation with the Leader;

4) APPROVED the Statement of Baseline Services;

5) DEFERRED the decision in relation to the Council’s votes in the upcoming ballot, pending receipt of the Final Business Plan;

6) NOTED arrangements in place for the ballot in October 2021 and that the Returning Officer (Edd de Coverly - Chief Executive) would formally instruct Civica to conduct the ballot in accordance with the Regulations.

Pranali Parikh, Director for Growth and Regeneration introduced the report, the purpose of which was to inform Cabinet of the work done so far and the implications arising from the ballot process and seeking approval for the relevant documents.

Mrs. Parikh advised that the Melton Mowbray BID, established in 2011 had undertaken 2 successful terms and a renewal ballot would be held in October 2021. The Council had worked with the BID to improve town centre vitality, vibrancy and economic growth for businesses within the BID area. The role of the Council to support a successful BID ballot process were:

· As Returning Officer and ballot holder. A timetable for the BID ballot was detailed at paragraph 5.1.2 of the report and subject to Cabinet approval, the ballot would be held in October.

· In establishing the Business Plan. The draft Business Plan was detailed at Appendix B of the report and would be finalised following the consultation process. The Key priorities, BID boundary and structure of the BID Board remained the same as for the previous term. The Business Plan complied with all Council key priorities, policies and procedures.

· As billing authority for the levy collection. The Council was required to collect the levy including issuing invoices and carrying out enforcement action), dealing with customer enquiries and reporting monthly to the BID Board. This was at a cost of approximately £18k per year to the Council (not including any services that the Council provided within the BID area). The draft Operating Agreement as detailed at Appendix C would be finalised following discussions and negotiations with the BID and in consultation with the Leader.

· As major service provider. The Council worked with the Town Estate and BID Board in provision of services within the town centre. Appendix D detailed basic services provided (statutory services and discretionary services). The Council was able to amend, review, change or cease the provision of its discretionary services, subject to approval by Cabinet.

Mrs. Parikh highlighted the Council’s role as a levy payer and its significant contribution towards the levy. There were 19 Council owned properties within the BID levy area, resulting in approximately £8k towards the levy collection. This was in addition to contributions from rate payers within the properties (as tenants, occupiers etc.)

Mrs. Parikh updated Members on the consultation to date, advising that approximately 12% of businesses had responded. Of those 80% were in favour of the BID renewal and approximately 20% were against. She noted that Cabinet may wish to defer its decision on Council votes in the ballot until it had considered all comments in relation to the draft business plan.

The Leader noted receipt of a number of late consultation responses and proposed amendments to the recommendations to read as follows:

2.1 Note that the BID Proposal (Appendix A) and the Draft BID Business

Plan (Appendix B) comply with the Regulations;

2.2 Provide formal comments for the consideration of the BID Board and

requested that those comments were reflected in the Final Business

Plan document;

2.3 Delegate authority to the Director for Growth & Regeneration to finalise

the Draft Operating Agreement, including the levy collection charges, in

consultation with the Leader;

2.4 Approve the Statement of Baseline Services (Appendix D);

2.5 Defer the decision in relation to the Council’s votes in the upcoming

ballot, pending receipt of the Final Business Plan;

2.6 Note arrangements in place for the ballot in October 2021 and that the

Returning Officer (Edd de Coverly - Chief Executive) would formally

instruct Civica to conduct the ballot in accordance with the Regulations.

During discussion the following points were noted:

· That the following representation, received from the northern section of the BID area be considered by the BID Board and reflected in the Final Business Plan:

i. The BID Board take into account fair and equal distribution of projects and activities across the BID area to ensure the benefits reach out to all levy payers.

ii. The BID Board ensure that the membership of the Board reflected fair geographic and sectoral representation.

iii. The BID promotional material and activities promote all businesses in the levy area equally.

iv. The business plan include actions and governance to ensure that the BID was measurable and accountable to this fair and equal treatment.

· Members noted that there were no proposed changes to the key priorities within the business plan. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting challenges for businesses in Melton, the Council should impress upon the BID the importance of ensuring the key priorities were reflective of business priorities and needs.

Cabinet

1) NOTED that the BID Proposal and the Draft BID Business Plan complied with the Regulations;

2) PROVIDED formal comments for the consideration of the BID Board and REQUESTED that those comments were reflected in the Final Business Plan document;

3) DELEGATED authority to the Director for Growth & Regeneration to finalise the Draft Operating Agreement, including the levy collection charges, in consultation with the Leader;

4) APPROVED the Statement of Baseline Services;

5) DEFERRED the decision in relation to the Council’s votes in the upcoming ballot, pending receipt of the Final Business Plan;

6) NOTED arrangements in place for the ballot in October 2021 and that the Returning Officer (Edd de Coverly - Chief Executive) would formally instruct Civica to conduct the ballot in accordance with the Regulations.

Reasons for Recommendations

Priority 6 of the Council’s Corporate Strategy (2020-2024) connected with and led by our community focuses on reviewing and reinvigorating partnership structures and frameworks.

‘Regenerating our town centre and encouraging inward investment to create jobs is a key focus area under Priority 3 - Delivering sustainable and inclusive growth in Melton.

The Melton Mowbray BID (Business Improvement District) has already had two successful terms with ballot held in 2011 and 2016 and has played an important role in promoting the town centre and supporting businesses in enhancing town centre vibrancy by marketing and improving the trading environment.

The BID is a key partner for the Council in delivering services and enhancing the benefits for levy payers in the town centre. BID levy raises approximately £160,000 each year resulting in the total spend of over £800,000 in five years to deliver the projects in addition to the Council’s services and initiatives. This adds value to Council’s efforts, ambitions and resources which is especially important in post-COVID times.

It is the Council’s responsibility to ensure it has complied with the Regulations, a formal approval is in place for casting votes on the Council’s hereditaments and to make the financial provision for the levy costs assuming a successful ballot.