Decision details

Prior to the consideration of this item, Councillors S Gardiner, T Dean and M Goldsmith left the room.

The committee considered the report which provided an updated on the emerging draft Knutsford Business Improvement District (BID) proposal. Groundwork CLM had formally notified the Council of its intention to instruct Cheshire East Council, on behalf of the Knutsford BID Steering Group, to put a proposal for a Business Improvement District (BID) in Knutsford to a ballot. The proposed BID would focus on Knutsford town centre but was also tentatively proposed to extend into Tatton Park.

The committee noted that there were now two BIDs in Cheshire East (Wilmslow Town Centre and Crewe). It was proposed that the Knutsford BID followed the same process and decision-making route of those previous BIDs.

The committee agreed that it was important to improve the connectivity between Tatton Park and Knutsford however queried the financial impact this would have on the Council. It was clarified that if the levy remained at 2% as set out within the draft BID proposal, based on current rates for value of Tatton Park, a levy of approx. £1,700k would be paid. This would also be paid for other hereditaments within the BID area for which the Council would be levy payer. It was anticipated this would total £5.5k annually. 

RESOLVED (unanimously):

That the Corporate Policy Committee

1.    Agree that the Executive Director - Place notify the BID proposer of the Council’s intention to recoup all reasonable costs associated with the Knutsford Business Improvement District and officers shall recover reasonable charges for the associated services provided by the Council.

2.    On receipt of the Knutsford Business Improvement District (BID) final proposal:

a.    The Chief Executive as Returning Officer and “Ballot Holder” shall check the BID proposal against the requirements set out in the BID Regulations, and subject to the BID proposal meeting the necessary requirements, shall make all necessary arrangements for the BID proposal ballot to take place, and for the results of the ballot to be counted and declared on behalf of the BID proposer.

b.    The Executive Director for Place shall take a further report to the Economy and Growth Committee outlining the detail of the final BID proposal and seeking any necessary further authority to respond, including a decision as to how the Council should vote in the ballot.

3.    That subject to a “yes” vote at ballot; the Executive Director for Place shall ensure a final review of the BID proposal is undertaken and shall determine whether there is any cause to veto the proposals having regard to all relevant matters as prescribed by the BID Regulations; and following that determination shall either confirm that the Council will not veto the BID proposals or serve a notice to exercise a veto.

4.    That subject to a “yes” vote at ballot, and the Executive Director of Place confirming that the Council will not veto the BID proposals:

(a)  The Council’s Monitoring Officer shall make necessary arrangements for the completion and updating of such legal agreements as they consider necessary to facilitate the BID, including agreements ensuring clarity around baseline service levels within the BID area, and clarity of arrangements for collection and management of the BID levy.

(b)  The Council as billing authority shall make necessary arrangements for billing, collection and enforcement of the BID levy and its transfer to the body responsible for the Knutsford BID.