Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director Net Zero Exeter & City Management.

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.

Councillor Wright declared a non-pecuniary interest and left the meeting during consideration of the following item.

The Executive received the report on 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 in November 2024.

Particular reference was made to:-

·         West Street, Bartholomew Street West and New North Road had been removed from the BID boundary due to the small number of BID levy payers there; and

·         the third term was focussed on supporting businesses located within the city centre with a focus on providing safety, security, enhanced environment, and celebrating the city and its businesses.

Opposition group leaders spoke on the item and made the following points:-

·         Cllr Moore – welcomed the report and enquired on whether consideration had been given to extending the relationship to those community’s businesses at the quay who also made a valuable contribution to the city.

During the discussion, Members welcomed the report and noted the contribution it would have towards the Council’s Net Zero ambitions and one Member welcomed the opportunity to meet the incoming programme manager to discuss future working.

The Leader advised that the Portfolio Holder who sits on the board will raise the matter of extending relationships but it was a matter for the InExeter Business Improvement District (BID) to agree.

The Leader moved, and Councillor R. Williams seconded, the recommendations which were voted upon and CARRIED unanimously.

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.