Issue - meetings

Report of the Executive Director - Place

The Cabinet considered the report of the Executive Director – Place that considered the Southport Business Improvement District (BID) Business Plan for the period 2024 - 2029 and sought agreement for the next steps by the Council as part of the BID ballot process.

Decisions Made:

That

(1)      the proposals for the Southport Business Improvement District (BID) be approved;

(2)      the Executive Director - Place be authorised to submit a positive vote on behalf of the Council;

(3)      the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Section 151 Officer, be authorised to sign a future BID Baseline Agreement on behalf of the Council;

(4)      the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services be authorised to complete the necessary formal agreements required for the collection of the BID Levy if a Yes vote is achieved; and

(5)      as the relevant ballot holder, Civica be authorsied to hold the BID ballot.

Reasons for the Decision(s):

To allow the BID ballot to commence and then thereafter for the BID company to deliver a new 5-year term.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

There were no other alternative options for BID delivery, or a similar model that would secure the level of private sector investment into Southport. If the Council were to refuse a new BID ballot the existing BID would cease at the end of October 2024, and this would result in a loss of £2.4m invested over the next 5 years.