Issue - meetings

This report sets out the progress made by the Epsom Town Business Partnership (ETBP) in creating a Business Improvement District (BID) for Epsom town centre and the likely timetable for future action.

It notes the statutory duties of a local authority in a BID process and the contribution EEBC is making to plans for one in Epsom. It then sets out the estimated annual levy for 2017/18 onwards that would be due on its hereditaments (property) should a BID be created in Epsom town centre.

Note: This item was moved up the running order with the agreement of the Committee, representatives of local business interests being in attendance.

The Committee:

(1)          Noted the progress of the Epsom Town Business Partnership (ETBP) in creating a Business Improvement District (BID) for the Town Centre;

(2)          Noted the statutory role of the local authority in the process of creating a BID;

(3)          Provided a commitment to the ETBP that Epsom and Ewell Borough Council will continue to encourage the creation of a BID

Note: This item was moved up the running order with the agreement of the Committee, representatives of local business interests being in attendance.

The Committee received short verbal presentations in support of the proposals in the report from Ms. Kim Eden (Chair of the Epsom Town Business Partnership and manager of M&S in Epsom) and Mr. Tony Cave (partnership member and manager of Wetherspoons in Epsom).

The report set out progress made by the Epsom Town Business Partnership (ETBP) in creating a Business Improvement District (BID) for Epsom Town Centre and the likely timetable for future action.  The report highlighted the statutory duties of a local authority in a BID process and the contribution the Council was making to plans for one in Epsom. The report also highlighted the estimated annual levy for 2017/18 onwards that would be due on its hereditaments (property) should a BID be created in the Town Centre. It was stressed that any increases in business rates due to revaluation should not be conflated with the introduction of a BID levy should a BID be successfully established. However, in relation to the BID, this was a risk that needed to be managed as any increase in business rates would affect the amount of the levy.  The report also highlighted that at present, there were no funds other than officer time allocated to support its creation or the potential payment of the levy by the Council.

The Committee:

(1)          Noted the progress of the Epsom Town Business Partnership (ETBP) in creating a Business Improvement District (BID) for the Town Centre;

(2)          Noted the statutory role of the local authority in the process of creating a BID;

(3)          Provided a commitment to the ETBP that Epsom and Ewell Borough Council will continue to encourage the creation of a BID