Purpose

The report will request approval for the proposals put forward by Croydon Business Improvement District (BID) and agree receommendations that will enable a BID ballot to take place for the affected businesses in the BID area. 

Decision

For the reasons set out in this report and its appendices the Executive Mayor and Cabinet AGREED to:

1. 1.1         Agree that, following receipt of the Croydon BID proposal 2027-32 for the renewal of the proposed BID activity, the Corporate Director of Place in consultation with the Executive Mayor and Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulatory services be given delegated authority to:
2. 1.1.1.   Assess the proposal and supporting documentation (including documentation relating to consultation undertaken, financial management arrangements and the proposed business plan) to determine whether they are in accordance with the Business Improvement Districts (England) Regulations 2004 (“The Regulations”).
3. 1.1.2.   Consider on behalf of the Council whether the proposal conflicts with any policy formally adopted by and contained in a document published by the authority (whether or not the authority is under a statutory duty to prepare such document) and, if it does, give written notice in accordance with the Regulations.
4. 1.1.3.   Exercise the power of Veto under Regulation 12 of the regulations on behalf of the Authority if the statutory parameters under Regulation 12(3) are met.
5. 1.1.4.   Determine whether the Council should support the Croydon BID proposal and vote on its behalf in the BID ballot. If a ‘no’ vote is proposed, this will be referred to Cabinet for further consideration.
6. 2.2      Subject to compliance with the requirements of the Regulations, note that the Council is required to formally make arrangements for conducting a BID ballot in accordance with the Regulations, which must be undertaken by the Council’s Returning Officer and will administered through the Council’s electoral services team.
7. 2.3       Authorise the recovery of the costs of arranging and holding the ballot from the BID proposer or BID body, as the case may be, in the event that the provisions of regulation 10(1) of the Regulations apply.
8. 2.4       Where a “yes” vote is returned at ballot:
9. 2.4.1        Note that the Council is required to adhere to the requirements of Regulations 14, 15 and Schedules 3 and 4 of the Regulations which sets out the obligations and parameters regarding  imposition, administration, collection, recovery, application of the bid levy and the keeping of the BID Revenue Account.
10. 2.4.2        Authorise the Corporate Director of Place to agree and finalise terms of anoperating agreement with the relevant BID proposer or BID body, as the case may be, regarding the operation of the BID and the delivery of Council requirements and baselines and arrange for its execution.