Issue - meetings

Report DRR19/002

The Committee considered a report outlining the progress in establishing a Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in Beckenham and Penge town centres following the successful outcome of the BID Ballot in March 2018.

Business Improvement Districts provided a model through which sustainable investment could be delivered in defined areas via a levy of rateable business properties which was typically based on 1-2% of rateable values.  Within Bromley the Orpington 1^st BID had been established in 2013 followed by the Your Bromley BID which served Bromley town centre in 2016.  Following initial feasibility work in Beckenham and Penge town centres in June 2016, Central Management Solutions were appointed to undertake the work involved in developing and establishing BIDs in these town centres.  This work was supported by the Beckenham and Penge BID Steering Groups which developed a Business Plan voted on by businesses in February 2018, with both BIDs being announced as successful on 1^st March 2018.  Over the five year term of the BIDs, Beckenham was expected to benefit from the investment of over £904k and Penge by over £600k.  Since March 2018, a Board of Directors had been formed for each BID which represented businesses from various sectors and geographic areas.  Each BID had set up a company limited by guarantee and agreed a Year 1 Delivery Plan and Budget.  A BID Manager for Beckenham and Penge had been appointed in September 2018 and was working to deliver a range of projects. 

The Director: Regeneration advised Members that a BID Levy for Year 1 had been charged to the Local Authority in respect of Yeoman House office in Croydon Road.  The Local Authority had now withdrawn services from Yeoman House and would not be liable to pay a BID levy on this property in future years.

RESOLVED that the progress to date of the BIDs in Beckenham and Penge Town Centres be noted.