Issue - meetings

Report DRR16/011

Members considered an update on the Future of Town Centre Management and the BIDS Development Strategy. 

As part of its clear commitment to developing and enhancing vibrant, thriving town centres (a Building a Better Bromley priority), the Council had already sponsored the successful establishment of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in the largest two town centres.  Given that the BID model demonstrated clear benefits as a way of securing sustainable investment and giving businesses a central role in managing their town centres, the ambition was to roll this model of town centre management to other areas of the Borough where these were viable. The purpose of the report was to seek Member endorsement of a change in the approach to managing the remaining town centres to enable the limited staff resources involved in Town Centre Management (TCM) to be redirected towards establishing and nurturing BIDs across the Borough – thereby sponsoring a step change in the pace of BID development.

The Head of Town Centre Management and Business Support outlined the proposals.  Based on budget proposals agreed at the Council’s Executive in January 2015, Members had already agreed that, whether or not the Bromley BID proposal was successful, the remaining Town Centre Management Post would be deleted resulting in a saving to the Council of £46k.  However, the latest proposal was for the remaining TCM post to be replaced by a single BID Officer post, on a fixed two year term contract.  This post would be created with the intention of fast tracking BID projects in the Borough.  Members were advised not to regard this as a retrograde step as it was part of LBB’s strategy to encourage BID companies throughout the Borough.

Whilst the Town Centre Management post was not a statutory one, TCM services had been provided in Bromley for longer than most neighbouring boroughs.  It was, however, an outdated post and a new model was now required. The Chairman considered the old system to be unsustainable and believed it was time to move on.  It was also the case that where BIDS were in place, there would be improved access to funding and grants from a variety of sources. 

Oral representations were received from visiting Member Councillor Kevin Brooks, who stated that whilst he was not opposed to the BID concept, he would like the TCM post to continue until 2017 to provide support and assurance in the transition period and to assist with a seamless transfer.

Councillor Brooks requested support for a further year to assist local traders who were presently feeling under pressure.  He believed the report had failed to consider and appreciate the economic and diversity aspects of Penge.  A successful BID could be attained if the TCM position continued for a further year.  Councillor Brooks asked what would happen to the TCM position if the BID failed and expressed the view that Penge and Beckenham were being given less support than Bromley and Orpington.

The Chairman confirmed that support would still be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35