Agenda item

Report DRR16/037

Consideration was given to the proposed extension of the Local Parades Improvement Initiative using an allocation of £250k, as part of a new £750k Members Initiative Fund announced following Full Council on 22 February.

Appendix 2 of the report outlined the parameters and criteria for the proposed scheme of delegation and rules of engagement for decision making on requests for expenditure from the allocated fund.

Members also considered the key developments and activities within the Town Centre Management and Business Support Team, along with options for the Council’s future support for Christmas lights in non-BID town centres.

The Chairman reported on the success of the Local Parades Improvement initiative and emphasised that future proposals could only be put forward by Ward Members on the proviso they carried the full support of retailers.  The final decision to sign-off proposals of up to £25k lay with the Portfolio Holder.  Proposals above £25k would be submitted for scrutiny by PDS Members prior to sign-off.

The Vice-Chairman suggested that further updates on the initiative should include a list of Ward Member proposals and their reasons for requesting funds.

It was noted that the initiative should not be Resident Association driven however, it was acceptable for support from traders to be ‘backed’ by Resident Associations.

Repeat proposals would not be permitted e.g. whilst hanging baskets would be provided complete with bedding and flowers, replanting the following year would need to be carried out independently.  Ward Councillors should liaise with trader associations and residents associations to ensure this happens.

With regard to the Bromley BID project (page 69), it was reported that at the request of the BID Board, the remaining sum of £7,456 from the funding allocated by the Executive in January 2014, would be provided to Bromley BID Ltd as a ‘start-up’ grant to assist with the cost of employing a BID Manager early.

The Head of Town Centre Management and Business Support confirmed that Ward Members would be informed when traders initially contacted officers in regard to obtaining a grant.  Traders would be notified through the BID Newsletter that they were required to approach Ward Members to apply for a grant.  Members acknowledged the importance of ensuring they remained the main conduit for the continuing success of this initiative.

Turning to the provision of funding for Christmas lights, Councillor Tickner considered that as no BID existed for Beckenham and Penge, these areas would be most affected by the reduction and/or withdrawal of funding.  He favoured the gradual reduction of option B as the best way forward.

It was suggested that Option A be chosen on the grounds that it would coincide with the start of the BID work and enable the Council to set a milestone for the provision of lights to become the responsibility of traders.  It should be made clear that part of the BID was to pay for Christmas lights.

Comments from Ward Member for Penge and Cator, Councillor Kathy Bance, in support of Option A were reported at the meeting.  Councillor Bance’s full representation is attached as Appendix A to these Minutes.

As the BID could take up to two years to come to fruition, it was agreed that Option A be the preferred approach.

The Chairman referred to the number of shop vacancies within the Intu Shopping Centre.  Members were informed that once vacated, leases tended to be reserved for high grade occupiers.  A number of 25 year leases were also coming to an end.  Several units were utilised by temporary traders during the Christmas period and vacated shortly after.  The Assistant Director, Culture, agreed to find out if any meetings were held throughout the year between Council officers and the Executive staff of Intu.

The results of a feasibility study on a Beckenham and Penge BID would be reported to Members at the PDS meeting in July 2016. 

An update on the potential changes to Bromley’s regular market would also be reported to Members at the July meeting.

RESOLVED that the report be noted and taking account of PDS Member comments, the Portfolio Holder be recommended to:-

(1)  approve the expenditure of £250k for improvement projects at local shopping parades across the borough;

(2)  approve the proposed scheme of delegation and rules of engagement for decision making on requests for expenditure from the allocated fund, based on the parameters and criteria set out within the report; and

(3)  agree that Option A be the preferred approach to the Council’s funding of Christmas lights in managed town centres in 2016/17.