Agenda item

Report of the Director of Business, Investment and Culture

The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Business, Investment and Culture which indicated that the first Coventry BID (Business Improvement District) was established in 2005 and was one of the first BIDs in the UK. A BID is a principally business-led and business-funded body, formed with a purpose to improve a defined commercial area.  The aim of the Coventry BID is to enhance, promote, develop and boost the city centre to make it a great place to work and visit.

The first BID ran from 2005-2008. Then second BID term ran from 2008 – 2013. In a formal ballot of eligible businesses in February 2013, votes were cast in favour of the Coventry BID being renewed for another five-year period, from 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2018. Following that a further bid ballot for the fourth term was held which extended the bid period for a further five years for 2018 – 2023.  As the BID comes to the end of the term of this agreement in March 2023, a new ballot will be required whereby BID members will be given the opportunity to vote on a new BID period and to endorse the new BID proposals, including the structure, business plan and proposed budget for the period 2023 - 2028. This will be the fifth term for the Coventry BID.

The BID is currently running as a separate, independent body from Coventry City Council.

The Coventry BID Business Plan 2023-2028 aims to focus BID activity towards priority areas of:

·  Security and environment

·  Enhancing and promoting the city centre

·  Business Voice and Support.

·  Supporting businesses

·  BID Street patrol

If BID proposals for a new BID period were not approved at the proposed ballot, a number of the services planned in support of these objectives would not be considered deliverable. 

A corresponding private report detailing confidential financial matters was also submitted for consideration (Minute 11 below refers).

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change:-

(1)  Approves the Coventry Business Improvement District (BID) proposal to ballot and timetable to ballot for a new Business Improvement District (BID) and a new agreement for the period 2023 - 2028

(2)  Approves that the Council as Billing Authority recover the cost of the BID ballot from the BID proposers where the number of persons voting in the ballot who have voted in favour of the ballot is less than 20% of the number of persons entitled to vote, and

·  the proposals are not approved in the ballot; or

·  the Secretary of State issues a notice declaring the ballot void

(3)  Approves, if voted for by the BID levy payers within the ballot, that the Council acts as the billing authority responsible for collecting the BID Levy and administering the BID Revenue Account, which shall be used towards the operation of the BID within the area of the Council.

(4)  Delegates authority to the Chief Legal Officer following consultation with the Chief Operating Officer to complete the ballot papers on behalf of the Council

(5)  Authorises the Chief Legal Officer to complete any necessary legal agreements required for the operation of the BID Levy, Ballot and service arrangements and any other necessary matters for the proposed Coventry Business Improvement District (BID).

(6)  Approves that the Council will charge the BID for the Collection and Administrative Charges for business rates staff in collecting and administering the levy in the sum of £20,000 annually (index linked).