Purpose

Report to set out the process and proposals for a third term of the InExeter Business Improvement District (BID), as well as the 5 year Business Plan which businesses within the BID area vote upon November 2024.

Decision

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council:-

(1)  votes in favour of continuing the InExeter Improvement District (BID) in the forthcoming ballot in November 2024;

(2)  approves a budget of £7,000 to undertake the ballot to be funded from General Fund reserves;

(3)  agree for the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services and City Centre to continue sitting on the InExeter Board, with support from the Service Lead for Net Zero & Business, to oversee the interests of the City Council and wider city centre through activity undertaken by InExeter;

(4)  supports an amendment of the BID boundary to exclude West Street, Bartholomew Street West, and New North Road;

(5)  charge InExeter in collecting the BID levy, calculated at £12,000 + VAT per annum per year; and

(6)  agree for the Service Lead for Net Zero & Business to draw up contingency plans, to be implemented in the result of a no vote in November 2024.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.