The Leader of the Council introduced a report providing an update on the One Maidstone Business Improvement District (BID) Round Two for Maidstone Town Centre and seeking endorsement of the BID.

The Leader of the Council explained that:

·  A BID was a defined area in which a levy was charged on all business rate payers in addition to the business rates bill.  This levy was used to deliver projects and activities that the businesses themselves had identified as being beneficial for their area.

·  One Maidstone had been operating the BID for Maidstone town centre since a successful ballot to establish the BID in June 2018.  The maximum period that a BID could charge a levy enabling it to operate was five years and if a BID wanted to continue it had to hold a new ballot.  One Maidstone was reaching the end of its first five-year period and had requested a ballot for a second term.

·  During its first term, the BID had funded a variety of different projects including town centre CCTV monitoring, enhanced town centre cleaning and events such as the Christmas trail and Christmas lights.

·  The Council had 24 properties in the proposed BID levy area and would therefore have 24 votes in the BID round two ballot and pay a levy on those properties (£23,675 per annum).  He would welcome the Committee’s views on the way the Council should vote in the ballot and whether the Council should fund the collection of votes from businesses.

In response to comments and questions:

The Economic Development Manager advised the Committee that:

·  In the first round, the Council paid for an independent courier to collect the votes at the request of the BID to encourage business owners to return their votes to be counted.

·  There were 523 properties in the proposed BID levy area of which 24 were owned by the Council.

The Leader of the Council explained that it was his understanding that it was for the consortium of businesses behind the BID to set the area of ambition.

Mindful of the additional benefits the BID had brought to the town centre, the Committee supported the recommendations set out in the report including delegated authority being given to the Director of Finance, Resources and Business Improvement to cast the Council’s votes in favour of a BID round two and the sum of £5,000 being paid towards the courier costs for the ballot.

During the discussion, it was pointed out that the wards affected also included East ward and this was accepted.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE EXECUTIVE:

1.  That it be noted that One Maidstone has served notice of their intention to seek a renewal ballot to the Secretary of State and Maidstone Borough Council.

2.  That the BID be endorsed.

3.  That delegated authority be given to the Director of Finance, Resources and Business Improvement to cast the Council’s 24votes in favour of a BID round two.

4.  That £5,000 be paid towards the courier costs for the ballot.

5.  That if the ballot for a second term of the BID is successful, a new operating agreement and a baseline agreement be entered into with the BID organisation, as was undertaken for the first term of the BID.