Issue - meetings

The purpose of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) was to improve local commercial areas via levies paid by local non-domestic ratepayers. The Caterham Valley BID had reached the end of its first five-year term and a fresh ballot of non-domestic ratepayers in its area was required to determine whether it could continue.

A report was submitted inviting the Committee to support the renewal of the BID and for the Council’s vote (as one of the non-domestic ratepayers in the area) to be cast accordingly. The renewal ballot (proposing an on-going 2% levy rate) would take place between the 19^th October and 18^th November 2021, to be administered by Civica Election Services at a cost of £1,860. The Council was required to pay for the ballot unless the vote was lost, and turnout was less than 20%, in which case BID itself would be liable. The BID levy would be mandatory for all liable businesses, regardless of whether or how they vote.

Although the Council had been financing levy collection costs (e.g. for postage, printing and staff time) since the BID’s inception, the report recommended that such costs be reimbursed by the BID in future.

During the presentation of the report, the Committee was informed about the support provided by the BID, in conjunction with officers, to Caterham business. The BID’s planned initiatives for its second term were also explained, including clarification that it did not wish to take over from Caterham Valley Parish Council regarding the provision of Christmas lights.      

            R E S O L V E D – that:

A.     the Council votes in support of a Business Improvement District in Caterham Valley; and

B.    the cost of levy collection be met by the Caterham Valley Business Improvement District.