Penge & Cator, Kelsey & Eden Park, Clock House and Copers Cope Wards

Report DRR17/051

The report updated Members on the progress to date on the development of a proposed Business Improvement District (BID) in Beckenham and Penge Town Centres and its potential implications for the Council. In particular, it introduced the outline Beckenham and Penge BID Proposal 2018 – 2023 which had been presented to the Council by the BID Steering Groups in each town and requested delegated authority for the Portfolio Holder for Renewal and Recreation to review the final versions of the BID Proposals in order to authorise a Ballot to be held of the establishment of the Beckenham and Penge BIDs in February 2018. It was confirmed that any changes to parking arrangements, including parking charges, would need to be approved by the Portfolio Holder for Environment.

The report had been scrutinised by the Renewal and Recreation PDS Committee on 1^st November 2017 – the Committee had supported the proposals. A revised plan of the Beckenham BID area, minimising the residential areas included, was tabled.

RESOLVED that

(1) The draft Beckenham and Penge BID Proposals 2018 – 2023 (summarised in paragraph 3.10 of the report but provided in full as part of a report on the Part 2 agenda) and the progress to date on the development of the BIDs, including the level of consultation with businesses, outline BID levy rules and emerging key priorities of the proposed BID, be noted.

(2) On the basis of the draft outline BID Proposals, agree in principle that the Council’s Ballot Holder may be instructed to hold ballots in February 2018, according to the Business Improvement District Regulations (England) 2004, being satisfied that the draft BID Proposals do not conflict with any of the Council’s priorities and plans, and that the geographic scope of each is within the boundaries of the London Borough of Bromley (see maps of draft BID boundaries in Appendix 2A (as amended) and 2B of the report).

(3) Delegated authority be agreed to the Portfolio Holder for Renewal & Recreation to review the final version of the BID Proposals which are expected to be delivered to the Authority by 17 November 2017 and, provided that these still meet the criteria outlined in (2) above, instruct the Ballot Holder to run the BID ballots on behalf of the Executive.

(4) The Portfolio Holder for Renewal and Recreation be authorised to nominate an officer to vote ‘Yes’ on behalf of the Council for eligible Council-occupied hereditaments which fall within the proposed BID areas (these are listed in paragraph 5.2 of the report).

(5) Subject to a BID ‘yes’ vote, the Director of Corporate Services be authorised to enter into all legal agreements necessary to operate the BID, and that the agreements ensure that the BID companies formed in both locations act at all times in the best interests of the town centres.  (The draft agreements, which are still to be finalised, are included as part of Appendix 1A and 1B to the report.)

(6) It is noted that potential net savings of £44k could result from the establishment of BIDs in Beckenham and Penge Town Centres as outlined in section 5 of the report.