Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Placemaking and Housing. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Jobs, and Community Cohesion.

To endorse the Future Wood Green Business Improvement District Re-Ballot Proposals; to instruct the Returning Officer to hold a BID Ballot; and to agree to delegate authority to the Director of Placemaking & Housing to vote on behalf of the Council.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Jobs, and Community Cohesion introduced the report which sought to endorse the Future Wood Green Business Improvement District Re-Ballot Proposals; to instruct the Returning Officer to hold a BID Ballot; and to agree to delegate authority to the Director of Placemaking & Housing to vote on behalf of the Council.

It was noted that BIDs had been effective in developing economic growth. Wood Green was central to the Council’s ambition to support businesses and economic growth and to work towards economic recovery. It was explained that the purpose of the report was to ask Cabinet to consider the BID proposals for a second term and agree recommendations that would allow a BID Ballot to take place. It was highlighted that the proposals extended the BID area to cover Turnpike Lane which would be an important contribution with a unique offer and character. The Cabinet Member noted his thanks to the BID for supporting and championing local businesses, particularly during and after the pandemic.

In response to questions from Cabinet Members, the following information was provided:

-       The Cabinet welcomed the inclusion of Turnpike Lane into the BID area.

In response to questions from Cllr Connor, the following information was provided:

-       It was noted that the BID was an independent organisation and that, although there were some links, the Council could not determine how it operated. It was added that there had been engagement with the businesses on Turnpike Lane on the BID proposals.

RESOLVED

1.    To endorse the Wood Green Business Improvement District (BID) Proposals set out in paragraph 4.3 of the report, formally submitted by Future Wood Green BID in accordance with the BID Legislation.

2.    To note that the Wood Green BID Proposals do not conflict with any formally adopted or published policies of the Council.

3.    To instruct the Returning Officer to hold a BID Ballot in relation to the Wood Green BID Proposals with the final day of the ballot (‘Ballot Day’) being scheduled for 23 February 2023.

4.    To agree to delegate authority to the Director of Placemaking and Housing to vote on behalf of the Council, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Jobs, and Community Cohesion, in the Wood Green BID Ballot, as a non-domestic ratepayer of Council-owned properties in the proposed Wood Green BID area.

5.    In the event that the outcome of the BID ballot is in favour of the Wood Green BID, to agree to delegate authority to the Director of Placemaking and Housing, after consultation with the Head of Legal and Governance, to make decisions on behalf of the Council in connection with, and during, the process of the setting up the second term of the BID, including authority to finalise two agreements (a Baseline Agreement for the Provision of Standard Services and an Operating Agreement) with the BID Company regarding the operation of the BID.

Reasons for decision

A BID is a defined area within which businesses pay  ...  view the full minutes text for item 81