Issue - meetings

The Epsom Business Improvement District (BID) was established in 2017 and has had its initial 5-year term. For the BID to continue its mandate must be renewed and it is envisaged that the formal ballot required will take place this autumn.

The BID Steering Group have produced a Business Plan that defines the proposed scope and purpose of the BID. This document will inform the choice that businesses will have to make when determining whether or not they support the BID.

As a business within the BID boundary, the Borough Council will need to determine whether or not to support the BID as it will be eligible to vote in the ballot.  This report recommends that the Council votes “Yes” in the ballot.

The Borough Council also has another specific role as the Billing Authority and as-such it can veto BID proposals. This report recommends that the Council does not exercise this veto.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)        Consider the BID Business Plan as defining the scope on purpose of the BID.

(2)        Agree to support the proposed bid and authorise the Chief Executive to vote “yes” in the forthcoming ballot on behalf of the Council.

(3)        Determine (commensurate with (2) above), in its capacity as Billing Authority, not to use its right of veto under Section 51(2) of the Local Government Act 2003.

The Committee received a report presenting the Epsom Business Improvement District (BID) Business Plan and recommending that the Council votes “Yes” in the forthcoming renewal and alteration ballot for the BID’s continuation. The report also recommended that the Council does not exercise its veto of the BID proposals.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Council’s veto. The Committee noted that the Council could only exercise its veto of the BID proposal under certain grounds set out in the Regulations. These related to the cost of the proposals in relation to the benefit that they would provide.

b)            Administration costs of BID. The Committee was informed that a levy collection cost of £20,000 per annum had been agreed with the BID Directors, but that the BID Business Plan incorrectly stated the figure as £17,000 per annum. This error would be highlighted to the BID Manager for correction.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Consider the BID Business Plan as defining the scope and purpose of the BID.

(2)      Agree to support the proposed bid and authorise the Chief Executive to vote “yes” in the forthcoming ballot on behalf of the Council.

(3)      Determine (commensurate with (2) above), in its capacity as Billing Authority, not to use its right of veto under Section 51(2) of the Local Government Act 2003.