Issue - meetings

Lancaster Business Improvement District (BID) Renewal - Draft Proposal

 

 

Meeting: 04/08/2015 - Cabinet (Item 12)

12 Lancaster Business Improvement District (BID) Renewal - Draft Proposal pdf icon PDF 270 KB

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

 

Report of Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

 

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Regeneration and Planning) which provided context and information for the endorsement of proposals for a Lancaster Business Improvement District Renewal Ballot in November 2015, as required by statute.  The report updated members on potential pre and post ballot issues and resource implications in relation to the City Council’s role in the BID renewal process.

 

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

 

 

Option 1: : Do nothing (Put off decision until the production of Final Renewal Proposals)

 

Option 2:Endorse the draft BID Renewal Proposals with endorsement of final BID Renewal Proposals delegated to the Chief Executive.

Option 3:Request material amendments to the draft Renewal Proposal for consideration/ endorsement at a future Cabinet meeting.

Advantages

No advantages.

 

Early notice that the proposals are technically sound and final document is likely to be compatible with BID Regulations and council policy.

Allows for minor and/or non-material technical amendments via officer scrutiny of final document. 

Allows Lancaster BID to develop its pre-election canvassing strategy and marketing/publishing activities around the BID Renewal Proposals with confidence.

 

Appropriate if Members consider (based on the draft), a Final Renewal Proposal would be vetoed and that material changes are required.

Allows for revised proposals to come forward which are compatible with council policy and regulatory requirements

 

Disadvantages

Creates uncertainty for Lancaster BID.

Creates difficulties for Lancaster BID in developing its pre-ballot canvassing strategy and marketing/publishing activities around the BID Renewal Proposals.

 

No disadvantages identified.

Reputational implications for council if proposals are not endorsed without good reason.  Potential delays Lancaster BID’s commitment to pre-ballot canvassing strategy and marketing/publishing activities around the BID Renewal Proposals.

Risks

September Cabinet is the last date proposals can formally be endorsed for a November ballot to be enacted under statutory notifications.

If there are issues with Final Renewal Proposal compliance at this stage a ballot could be delayed with knock on implications for Lancaster BID in terms of canvassing and for the council in terms of dealing with operational matters in the new year arising from a late ‘Yes’ ballot

 

No guarantee that BID Renewal Ballot will be successful.

 

The onus would be on Lancaster BID to address any issues and prepare a technically/policy compatible Final Renewal Proposal.

Risks are as Option 1 in that September Cabinet is the last date proposals can formally be endorsed for a November ballot to be enacted under statutory notifications.

 

             

On submission of a Final Renewal Proposal the local authority is obliged to endorse the BID proposal and approve it to go forward to a ballot if it meets the regulatory and policy tests mentioned in paragraph 2.3 of the report. The draft proposals provide a good indication of whether it is likely the council will need to use its veto powers.  

The draft proposals do not conflict with any published council polices and a successful BID should  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12