ITEM CMDL2
LEADER OF THE COUNCIL - 30 JUNE 2008
BALLOT BY OX1 ON A PROPOSED OXFORD CITY CENTRE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID)
Report by Assistant Head of Legal & Democratic Services
Introduction
1. The concept of a Business Improvement District (BID) arises from the appropriate provisions contained in the Local Government Finance Act 2003. The arrangements for proposing, voting on, implementing and managing a BID are contained in the Business Improvement Districts (England) Regulations 2004.
2. A Business Improvement District is a defined geographical area within which businesses vote to pay a supplementary levy on their business rates. This levy is then spent locally by an independent not-for-profit company that they control (by electing the Board) on activities that enhance or improve their trading environment.
3. All business ratepayers within the agreed area will contribute on a fair and equitable basis through a levy on the Rateable Value. The levy will be collected suing similar powers to those for mainstream business rates.
4. All business ratepayers have been presented with a formal business plan and are being balloted on the basis of one vote per hereditament. A dual majority is needed – a majority of those voting, as well as a majority of the rateable values of those that vote. This ensures that there is parity between small and large businesses.
5. If successful the BID will operate for five years, at which point another vote is necessary if the scheme is to continue.
6. As the owner of a number of freehold properties within the proposed BID area the County Council has received a ballot paper in respect of each.
Proposals
7. OX1 (Oxford City Centre Management Company) has consulted widely, and is now balloting, on a proposed Oxford City centre BID covering the area delineated by the roads listed at Annex 1 (download as .doc file) to this report. A map of the area, as well as details of the business plan and other BID information, can be found in the proposal documents at the following website: http://www.ox1.uk.com/cms.
8. The original proposal was to introduce a levy of 1½ % of the rateable value of each property but, following consultation, this has been reduced to 1% in the final proposal on which the ballot is being held.
Consultation
9. OX1 has consulted with over 900 businesses, interest groups, campaign groups and project groups by hand-delivered literature, face-to-face meetings, presentations, web-based information and a printed, bound detailed guide to a business improvement district for Oxford City centre.
Financial and Staff Implications
10. The original proposal was for a 1½ % levy, but this has been reduced to 1% in the final proposal on which the ballot is being held. Based on the current rateable value of the Council’s properties in the proposed BID area this equates to approximately £5,000 a year for the life of the scheme, which can be met from within existing budgets.
RECOMMENDATION
11. The Leader of the Council is RECOMMENDED to:
(a) consider the merits of the proposed Oxford City BID as set out by OX1; and,
(b) cast his ballot accordingly in respect of each County Council property in the affected area.
TONY CLOKE Assistant Head of Legal & Democratic Services
Background Papers: A Bid for Oxford: Detailed Guide by OX1
Contact Officer Tony Tony Cloke, Assistant Head of Legal & Democratic Services Tel: (01865) 815314
June 2008 |