Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:  1)        That the Discover King’s Lynn Business Plan 2022-2027 be endorsed.

2)          That the Chief Executive be instructed to vote in favour of the BID on behalf of the Council.

Reason for Decision

To allow the Chief Executive to vote on behalf of the Council in the King’s Lynn BID ballot on 11 November 2021.

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The Chief Executive presented a report which explained that in accordance with Schedule 1, Regulation 4 of the 2004 BID Regulations, the Chair of King’s Lynn BID Ltd, on behalf of the Board of Directors, submitted their renewal proposal for a second term, and a request to the Local Authority to hold a ballot on 11 November 2021, to the Chief Executive on 21 September 2021

It was noted that the Council had an interest in the ballot in that there were 35 council owned premises within the defined area of the BID that were subject to the levy. The annual cost of the levy in 2021/2022 was £19,116.

The Council as an owner of premises in the BID area would be entitled to vote when the ballot for a second term was held on 11 November 2021.

It was noted that if the ballot for a second term was successful the BID levy was estimated to generate £223,500 of investment each year to support the town centre.

Under standing order 34, Councillor Kemp expressed support for the BID, and encouraged the revitalisation of the town market.

Under standing order 34, Councillor Rust asked for detail on the relationship between the BID and Town Board, urging more involvement for town based councillors in the Town Board.  She asked what would happen if the BID did not achieve what its business case had set out.    She also commented that pop up shops did not feature in the plans as clearly as she had hoped.

Under standing order 34. Councillor Parish endorsed the comments previously made.  He drew attention to comments made at the Regeneration and Development Panel regarding the town centre and coach parking.

Councillor Middleton gave an overview of the membership of BID and the Council’s relationship as a Business Rate payer.  He considered that if businesses didn’t feel that the business plan had been achieved they wouldn’t vote for it in the future.  He confirmed that he had raised the issue of pop up shops with the BID.

Councillor Long confirmed he had had positive feedback from businesses, and felt that if it was voted against, a number of things in the town centre would cease.

Councillor Blunt reminded members that the Regeneration and Development Panel could ask for an update on progress with the BID business plan.

Councillor Dark drew attention to the work carried out by the BID during Covid and the level of investment in the town the BID would bring.

Councillor Middleton did not vote on the recommendation.

RESOLVED:  1)        That the Discover King’s Lynn Business Plan 2022-2027 be endorsed.

2)          That the Chief Executive be instructed to vote in favour of the BID on behalf of the Council.

Reason for Decision

To allow the Chief Executive to vote on behalf of the Council in the King’s Lynn BID ballot on 11 November 2021.