Decision details

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Regeneration and Policy to provide background information on the concept of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and update members on work towards the establishment of BIDs in Lancaster and Morecambe.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

Although the report was primarily provided to update Members the following options could be considered:

Option 2 was the Officer preferred option.  There was a clear way forward for Lancaster BID and emerging consensus for progression of the Morecambe BID.  The BID officer working group should ensure that any issues arising from BID Proposal development and pre/post ballot resource implications for both Lancaster and Morecambe were addressed in partnership with the BID proposer.

The Lancaster Chamber and NWLCC had confirmed that the resources agreed for the Lancaster BID were sufficient for the purposes of BID Proposal development.  This follows the experience of NWLCC in successfully progressing the Preston BID through both proposal and implementation stages.  The outcome of a BID ballot could not be guaranteed but officers believed the relationships being built and the direction emerging gave the best chance of a successful outcome.                  

Councillor Hanson proposed, seconded by Councillor Smith:-

(1)       “That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved:

(7 Members (Councillors Barry, Blamire, Bryning, Hanson, Leytham, Sands and Smith) voted in favour,  and 1  Member  (Councillor  Hamilton-Cox) abstained.)

(1)     Members note the preparations for the introduction of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in partnership with Lancaster District Chamber and the local trade associations in Morecambe.

(2)     Members support the intention of Lancaster District Chamber to lead on BID Proposal development in Lancaster city centre.

(3)     Members approve the allocation of £40K (subject to carry forward approval) for Lancaster town centre BID development to the Lancaster Chamber via a formal funding agreement administered through the Regeneration & Policy service.      

(4)     That Councillor Hanson be appointed as Cabinet’s nomination to sit on the Lancaster Bid Steering Group.

(5)     Future decisions in respect of BID Proposal lead, the use of allocated funds and Cabinet nominee to sit on a Steering Group (or similar body) for Morecambe town centre is dealt with via an Individual Cabinet Member Decision.   

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Regeneration and Policy

Reasons for making the decision:

It is accepted by most local authorities active in this field that BIDs create an effective opportunity for local businesses to have a voice and direct impact on subjects relating to the environment and circumstances in which they trade. Development of BIDs has been proven to help build business and encourage local economic growth. 

In working towards implementation of Business Improvement Districts the council will be achieving and/or reviewing and improving upon a number of its corporate objectives/outcomes as defined in the Corporate Plan 2011-14 in relation to Economic regeneration (Visitor Economy), Statutory responsibilities, Partnership working and community leadership.  Additionally, the implementation of BIDs is a key priority of the recently approved Lancaster Cultural Heritage Strategy.