Agenda item

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  It was, however, an outdated post and a new model was now required.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 available to traders.  He referred to a comment made at the meeting concerning a “timetable”, which was also referred to in an email received from Mr John Getgood, (Chair of the Penge Forum and the Penge Town Centre Team).  It was reported that the Council had never made reference to a “timetable” in relation to the transition to BID status.

Attention was directed to the “Summary of Budget Variations” outlined on page 69 of the report).  The Town Centre Management efficiency saving of £46k listed at Item 7, referred to the TCM post which had been identified as a budget saving in the 2015/16 budget, to be fully implemented in the 2016/17 financial year.

Members were assured that no end date had been alluded to during any communication process.

The Chairman reasserted that local traders and businesses would continue to be supported.  A report would be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee seeking approval to source appropriate funding for the appointment of a consultant and team to develop the BID.  The Chairman confirmed that an unsuccessful BID would not automatically lead to the retention of the TCM post. 

Councillor Brooks believed more time was required to set up Trader Associations. The Chairman iterated that adequate resources would be provided to support businesses throughout the transition period.  A clear message concerning the true nature of BIDS and outlining the support available, should be sent to all traders.

Councillor Wilkins believed the Council’s intention to delete the TCM post had not been made clear to Members.  Penge was a deprived area and traders were expecting to be treated the same as those in Orpington and Bromley.  Councillor Wilkins requested  further consultation and considered the removal of day to day support offered by a TCM to be deflating. She doubted that one BID offer for the whole of the Borough would provide sufficient support for Penge. The Chairman explained that Bromley and Orpington BID Companies had their own governance arrangements so the new BID Officer would not be working for Bromley or Orpington.

Councillor Auld referred to a “muddled” situation that had existed previously during the transition period for the Orpington BID. He stated that the situation only improved after the BID Company was established. He therefore supported keeping the TCM post until the transition to BID status was complete; Councillor Michael agreed with this.

Members were reminded it had already been agreed that the TCM post should be deleted. Councillor Wilkins disagreed and questioned why, if that was the case, this matter had been brought to the PDS Committee for debate. 

A number of Members supported the recommendation to delete the TCM post and employ one of the existing postholders as a BID Project Officer.

Councillor Wilkins proposed a motion that the Portfolio Holder be requested to retain the post of Town Centre Manager for another year. This was seconded by Councillor Auld.  Following a vote of 3-3 and at the Chairman’s request, the Portfolio Holder agreed to consider the debate and make a decision in due course.  No recommendations/resolutions were made at the meeting.

Subsequent to the meeting, the Portfolio Holder made the following decisions:-

(1)  The success of the Bromley BID at ballot and progress made in establishing the new BID be noted.

(2)  The continuation of a single Town Centre Manager post to support Beckenham, Penge and smaller town centres for 12 months, until the end of March 2017 be agreed.

(3)  The continued emphasis of the Council on encouraging and developing BIDs in town centres and other locations across the Borough be endorsed and it be agreed that officers within the Town Centre Management & Business Support team seek additional resources (including external funding) for this purpose and work towards the establishment of BIDs, especially in Beckenham and Penge town centres.