Agenda item

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The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place presented the proposed 2027–2032 Discover King’s Lynn Business Plan. He explained that King’s Lynn had had a Business Improvement District since 2017 and that the renewal ballot was the third ballot for continuation. The Council had a statutory role in running the ballot and was itself a levy-paying constituent organisation. The proposed plan was intended to support business prosperity, the Council’s economic strategy, thriving town centres and local economic growth.

In response to the Vice-Chair, Councillor Long, the BID Manager explained that every eligible business premises within the BID boundary had a vote. Approval required a majority both by number of votes cast and by the rateable value represented by votes in favour. The Council had a significant block of votes because it occupied multiple hereditaments, but the BID Manager commented that they were cautiously confident that sufficient business support existed beyond the Council vote.

The Chair, Councillor Blunt questioned how much conversation there had been with small businesses. The BID Manager described the BID’s support for smaller traders, including informal advice, signposting to Council contacts, business networking and day-to-day assistance. Members also discussed wardens, street marshals, radio communication between retailers and the night-time economy, events and measures supporting safety and security.

The BID Manager responded to a question from Councillor Ryves under Standing Order 34a and explained a larger budget could support additional staff, more public-realm improvements, planters, street art, larger or more frequent events, open-air or drive-in films and reduced reliance on borrowed premises and equipment. The current budget was approximately £200,000.

The Chair, Councillor Blunt asked if the King’s Lynn BID worked with other BIDs in the area. The BID Manager explained the BID also worked with Norwich, Great Yarmouth and a regional East of England network to share information and good practice.

In response to further questions from Councillor Ryves, under Standing Order 34a, the BID Manager referred to a previous parking promotion involving free or reduced-price parking which cost approximately £10,000 but did not produce a proportionate increase in footfall or usage. She advised that any future parking promotion would need to run for a sustained period, be well marketed and have baseline and outcome measures. She explained events  in King’s Lynn were funded variously by the Council, the BID or Vancouver Quarter.

RESOLVED: The Panel supported the recommendations to Cabinet. 

Cabinet resolves to:

a)    Endorse the Discover King's Lynn BID Business Plan 2027-2032.

b)    Endorse the holding of a BID renewal ballot in accordance with the Business Improvement Districts (England) Regulations 2004.

c)    Support the Borough Council to vote in favour of the BID renewal for all eligible properties within the BID area for which the Council is liable for the payment of the BID levy.

d)    Delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Deputy Leader, to undertake all actions necessary to facilitate the BID renewal process.

e)    Continue to work collaboratively with Discover King's Lynn to support the successful delivery of the BID Business Plan and wider town centre regeneration objectives.