Additional BID rules and regs for Business Plan
May 23, 2012Additional information on BID Rules and Regulations
The introduction of Business Improvement Districts was enabled through the Local Government Act 2003 and the Business Improvement Districts (England) Regulations 2004.
Below are three sections of information supporting the distribution of the formal Business Plan.
1. Baseline Agreement
The High Wycombe BID will be careful to ensure that all BID projects and services will be completely additional to those services already delivered by the District Council, the County Council and Thames Valley Police. If the BID ballot is successful a Baseline Services Agreement will be developed and overseen by the BID Board. The Agreement will include the following services:
o Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)
o Community Safety Partnership work
o Licensing and Statutory Street Enforcement
o Charter Market Contract
o Street Lighting
o Seasonal Lighting
o Street Cleansing
o Waste Collection
o Gully Cleansing
o Graffiti and Fly Posting Removal
o Public Conveniences
o Planning
o Trading Standards
o Environmental Health
o Park and Ride
o Car Parking
o Highway Management and Maintenance
o Tress and Landscape
o Grounds Maintenance
2. BID Ballot
The person(s), registered company or organisation who is the ratepayer for non-domestic rates of a rating hereditament within the BID area as at 1st April 2012 is entitled to vote.
Each person entitled to vote in the BID ballot shall have one vote in respect of each hereditament in the geographical area of the BID on which non-domestic rates are payable.
The ballot will have to meet two tests. First, a simple majority (above 50%) of those voting must vote in favour. Second, those voting in favour must represent a majority of the aggregate rateable value of hereditaments voting.
The ballot papers will be posted out to those ratepayers who are eligible to vote on 11th June 2012 and must be returned by 5pm on 9th July 2012. The ballot will be conducted independently of the High Wycombe Town Centre Partnership (operating for the purposes of the BID development as HWBIDCO) and delivered by Electoral Reform Services www.electoralreform.co.uk
3. The BID Levy
The BID levy will be payable by all businesses located within the boundary of the defined BID area.
The BID levy will be set against the rateable values shown in the Local Non-Domestic Rating List held by Wycombe District Council and calculated on the amount attributable on the 1st September for each year of the BID Term. Tenants of both Eden and Chilterns Shopping Centres, that pay a service charge, will be eligible for a reduced levy of 0.75% to reflect services already provided by their landlord. Hereditaments less than £2,500 will not be charged a levy. No one business shall pay more than 5% of the total possible BID levy within the BID Area or 25% more than the second highest levy contributor. This will apply throughout the five-year proposal and will take account of any new development. No other general concessions will be given. In the case of empty properties, the BID levy will be collected at 100% from either the owner or leaseholder (if an occupational lease exists).
Each levy invoice will be based on a single payment request and will be enforced using the normal powers available to the local authority with respect to mainstream NNDR payments. Negotiations over part-year liability due to changes in occupation will be between private parties and will not be considered by the BID Company. No refunds will be given.
The BID levy will be collected by Wycombe District Council in a separate account and passed to the BID Company in its entirety. It is expected that the Council will reimburse the BID Company with BID levies on a monthly basis. Targets for collection will reflect those of mainstream collections in terms of Council Tax and NNDR.
Rateable values can be found on non-domestic rates bills or at www.voa.gov.uk
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged baseline services agreement, BID, BID levy, BID regulations, business improvement district, business plan, Chilterns Shopping Centre, Eden Shopping Centre, electoral reform services, ERS, High Wycombe, HWBIDCo, landlord, local government act, NNDR, non-domestic rates, Wycombe District Council | Leave a commentA garden or a garden space…?
May 22, 2012How do you take one simple aspiration and make it as challenging as possible?
You decide to build a garden, or something resembling this concept, in a concrete public space. You then decide that rather than appoint a landscpae architect and professional contractors that you want to achive this aim working alongside community groups and organisations.
What’s the reasoning behind this and what is the potential reward?
Building a “community garden or garden space” should give you far more civic ownership or buy-in from local people. It can also offer a great challenge to people learning their craft. Take our “garden”. Students at Berkshire College of Agriculture were set the task of designing the planting. Students associated with the Green Society at Bucks New University supported the spatial design process. The structure was built by prisoners at HMP Springhill, close to Aylesbury.
How does your garden work and what is its purpose?
Our garden “space” was never going to be a traditional garden as we were not able to disturb the paving, there is a weight limit over the redundant fountain and the space is one frequented by users of the evening economy i.e. pubs and clubs.
Our garden space is designed to encourage people to stay longer in Frogmoor, to consider sitting and eating their lunch, and to consider what might be if the space is used regularly and creatively. Our garden is a mix of seating and sensory planting. We have a couple of grass seats instead of a lawn. We have Rosemary, Thyme, Lambs Ear and Strawberry plants.
Our garden space is modular in form so all of the shapes come apart and could be used in different ways in the future. We could add to it, we can make different larger shapes, we can split it up and position shapes in different parts of town.
So far so good. We got a lot of abuse as we put the garden in – in terms of “wasting our time”, it being a “pointless exercise”, the garden “not being likely to last the weekend”. Well, it has now been in for two weekends and a May Fayre. People are sitting and eating and talking. Children are touching the plants. Many are happy to see something positive done.
Small steps…
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Berkshire College of Agriculture, Bucks New University, community garden, Frogmoor, garden, garden space, grass seats, High Wycombe, HWBIDCo, Lambs Ear, plants, Rosemary, sensory planting, Thyme, town centre | Leave a commentSit and read our Business Proposal with a free local drink…
May 22, 2012A voucher has been issued with our BID Business Proposal. The voucher can be used in either Local Roots (Crendon Street) or Mom’s Diner (Queens Square).
The voucher entitles the holder to a free hot or cold drink, to be consumed either on the premises or as a takeaway item. Entitlement is only one drink per person. Choice and availability will be dependent on the day of redemption and subject to the discretion of the proprietor. Regular or normal sizes only.
The voucher is valid between 21/05/12 and 9/07/12. Only complete vouchers will be accepted. There is no cash equivalent. There is no exchange for a different type of product.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged BID, business improvement district, business proposal, coffee, cold drink, Crendon Street, High Wycombe, hot drink, Local Roots, Mom's Diner, Queens Square, voucher | Leave a commentHigh Wycombe May Fayre
April 27, 2012According to Wikipedia, “The High Wycombe Mayoralty is the only one of its kind in the whole of the world, whereby their Mayor and all his officers get weighed every year. The weighing process is recorded and the result compared to the weight at the end of the mayoral year. For each of the mayor and corporation, if there has been a weight gain in that year, the person is considered to have been gaining that weight at the taxpayers’ expense; they would be jeered and booed, historically accompanied with thrown tomatoes and rotten fruit.”
HWBIDCo cannot promise rotten fruit for this year’s High Wycombe May Fayre but we can promise a range of historic, primarily medieval, entertainment. We have tried this year to get rid of, what we call, the filler stuff. Gone is the bouncy castle and some other bits. This year we have minstrels and jesters and stocks. We have Morris men and May-pole dancing. In terms of food, we have tried to go authentic. We have a halal beef roast (bearing in mind our Asian Mayors) and also Bucks Badger, an authentic local dish. If you haven’t heard of this you had better come down on the day and find out. We will also have in place a new temporary garden for Frogmoor where you can sit or enjoy the planting. This will be surrounded on the day by the usual Italian Market. For those of you interested in the history of the town, we have two walking tours courtesy of the High Wycombe Society.
The whole event takes place in Frogmoor in the town centre on Saturday 19th May and is scheduled to start from 10.30am. The weighing-in ceremony is due to begin at 11.30am.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Bucks Badger, entertainment, Frogmoor, High Wycombe, High Wycombe Society, HWBIDCo, HWTCP, Italian Market, jesters and minstrels, May Fayre, May-pole Dancing, medieval may fayre, Morris Men, Saturday 19th may | Leave a commentBIDS Survey 2010
March 6, 2012We thought that you might be interested in the report below. It is a survey of BIDs and their impact undertaken by Alliance Boots, British BIDs and the University of Ulster. It looks at such things as business buy-in, funding and project delivery. As the introduction says:
“Government policy is increasingly striving to create an environment that encourages greater local authority empowerment and business engagement. This research clearly indicates that BIDs as a mechanism offers the potential to provide genuine dialogue and engagement and the private sector has shown its willingness to actively engage. The research also highlights the potential for BIDs as a business-led initiative which can make things happen within a local trading environment. In an era where increasing expectations are placed on government and public services, BIDs can be seen as providing an opportunity to widen local choice by promoting partnership between business and local government. The research evidence, further points to the commercial gain of working in partnership by promoting economic development, maximizing delivery of service provision and ensuring better value for money.”
Here is the report BIDS_Survey_2010
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Alliance Boots, BIDs, British BIDs, economic development, government, local authority, local trading environment, research, survey, University of Ulster | Leave a commentBusiness Plan Structure Draft
February 17, 2012This is the latest consultation document for the BID.
It is an outline of how we think that our business plan should be structured and the kinds of projects that we would like to see delivered under specific headings.
All businesses have been given an hand-delivered copy for their feedback before we fill in the detail and put together a proper formal five-year business plan, upon which all businesses can vote (in June).
Tell us what you think and what ideas you have.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged BID, business improvement district, business plan, consultation document, feedback | Leave a commentA Position Statement on the Big Screen
February 8, 2012The High Wycombe Town Centre Partnership is broadly supportive of the principle to introduce a big screen into Frogmoor. However, there are a number of caveats that will need to be considered in-depth, negotiated and managed if the concept is to prove popular, sustainable and ultimately successful.
Caveat 1: Context
The introduction of a big screen in Frogmoor can only contribute to the regeneration of this under-utilised and failing area, of the town if it is delivered in the context of a wider initiative.
A big screen in itself will draw a selected few on a regular basis but has the ability to engage with a wide and diverse audience, dependent upon the environment within which it is placed.
Successful spaces with a screen are friendly and secure and encourage the visitor to stay for a while. The screen is ancillary to the use of the space and should not be seen as the primary focus. There needs to be sufficient activity, hustle and bustle and interest in the space during peak times of the day and appropriate security measures, whether formal or informal, during quieter times and throughout the evening economy.
The commercial units surrounding the space are the fundamental element of the whole regeneration process. Unless these spaces can be filled, there is little to attract visitors and shoppers to this space on a regular basis, and little for them to do once they arrive in the space.
We would support the following:
- An increase in the green credentials of the space, with a discussion as to whether these are temporary or permanent features. This would break up the space and bring new interest into Frogmoor. At present, the hanging baskets serve a purpose but do not engage the public sufficiently to make a positive impact;
- The development of a consensus on a short-term approach to rejuvenating the area commercially. This process should engage landlords, agents, existing businesses (and potential new businesses) with an interest in the area of Frogmoor. The aims of this exercise must be to re-let as many vacant units as possible;
- A consensus on a operational management policy for the public space in Frogmoor focussing on the types, and regularity, of activities and how they might influence the type and specification of any new infrastructure opportunities through the public realm consultation, such as power, lighting, planting and room for “big events”.
Recommendations:
- The big screen should not be seen as, or become, the primary focus of the space. Should it be installed as a permanent feature there must be a review process and decision-making mechanism to evaluate its continued operation or to agree its discontinuance
- The screen should be discussed within the context of a greener space
- The screen should take account of any new commercial lettings and the aspiration to develop a café culture within the space
- The screen should complement the use of Frogmoor as an event/activity space
Caveat 2: Content
One of the fundamental considerations of introducing a big screen into the town is what it would show, when it would be shown and who would make the decisions as to the choice of content.
Other towns accepted big screens complete with the services of a content manager from the BBC or other organisation. If a screen is to be provided independently, there needs to be very clear guidelines as to what is acceptable. This should include the confidence and justification for a blank screen.
We would support the following:
- The development of a consensus on the ratio of content material to advertising. We understand the commercial necessity of advertising but would not support something that was advertising-led to the detriment of the programming schedule. We would suggest that there is a signed agreement that defines the most appropriate nature of advertising (including a local, small business bias), the most appropriate times for advertising and an upper limit, defined in terms of time and/or ratio to programmes aired;
- The development of an events calendar for scheduling coverage of major televised events. This could include cultural, sporting or celebratory events, with an emphasis on their ability to engage the local community across a wide-range of ages. Family-friendly viewing should always take precedence;
- The use of the Big Screen to support local events taking place in the town. The screen would offer the opportunity for activities to be relayed to a wider audience (away from line-of-sight) and to focus on smaller details. The Christmas Lights-Switch-On and a Food Festival (with live demonstrations) would be particular beneficiaries.
- The development of a consensus on the ratio of active time to inactive time, with the latter being where the screen is switched-off. We would support an agreement that clearly defined the hours of operation, a justification for down-time and a policy against which requests from the public or community organisation can be assessed.
Recommendation:
- A representative working group should develop a “terms of use” policy document covering the opportunities for, and constraints upon, advertising. It should also contain policies governing the hours of usage, criteria upon which requests can be assessed fairly and openly and a mechanism by which events can seek to benefit from coverage on-screen.
Caveat 3: Continuity
The installation of a Big Screen must be accompanied by a short-term and a long-term strategy in order to ensure that it does not become redundant in use or in location.
The placement of the screen in Frogmoor would seem to be the most appropriate location at present. However, in a changing town there will inevitably become other opportunities that will need to be discussed in the context of Frogmoor as the existing prime public space. This discussion could include freestanding or wall-mounted placement.
The long-term usage of the screen, as indicated in Caveats 1 and 2 above, is also of prime importance. This facility must have a permanent or semi-permanent aspiration in order for it to attract private sector investment. If the primary purpose of the screen is to celebrate the events of 2012 only, then it is suggested that an alternative approach is taken such as leasing the equipment.
The management of the screen must also reflect a continuity of approach so that relationships can be consolidated and developed. It would be useful to have a local technical specialist that could support the broadcast side of the facility. There is a significant amount of synergy between this project and the media work at BNU and this relationship must be investigated and formalised, if appropriate.
We would support the following:
- The development of an SLA between the majority interest groups setting out the decision-making roles, on-going influence, financial and insurance liabilities;
- The development of an SLA between BNU, (if deemed the appropriate provider), and the content manager to govern delivery of content, technical support and license agreements;
- The development of a contingency plan to accommodate any foreseen changes in circumstances.
Recommendation:
- A core working group should research and agree the relevant legislation, liabilities and tender processes required to implement this project in a suitable manner.
Meetings in January
January 11, 2012The majority of invites to our January meetings have now gone out.
There should be no excuses for you, or a representative of your business, to attend one of our meetings. We are offering four different days and a breakfast (7.45am), lunch (12.00pm) and informal pub meeting (6.00pm) on each of these. Email or call to book a place. We will even provide breakfast and lunch.
The meetings are designed to confirm our thinking on the BID business plan. What are your priorities, what kind of projects do you support, what would really benefit your business? The business plan will be published by May so it is in your interest to influence this plan. If the BID goes through, you will be making a formal financial contribution to it. If you are smart, the benefits that you will receive will far outweigh any financial levy collected from you.
See you in January – or we might hunt you down and put you on the spot for some feedback!
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a commentA new year, a new expectation…
January 6, 2012We have so many ideas and so many things that we want to do that we need to stand back sometimes and take an objective view.
High Wycombe town centre needs an injection of enthusiasm, civic pride and some real community engagement. We need to reduce the perception of the two-town split between Eden and the town centre, we need to rejuvenate Frogmoor and we need to give people a reason to visit the whole town. Furthermore, we need to start to fill the empty units that are starting to mulitply in town. With Blacks going into administration we could well lose another Frogmoor tenant. They also own Millets so maybe one from Church Street as well.
We are starting this year as we mean to go on. We are launching a basic calendar of events designed to engage, enthuse and establish a long-term commitment to our town that will increase footfall, boost business and drive the local economy. It is the first progressive step towards our BID proposal. We are not just an events company but it is a crucial part of reinvigorating this town and, if delivered in the right way, can provide significant opportunity for local businesses to raise their profile.
Our calendar includes:
- a one-day music and cultural festival (designed to bring together the town, BNU and the “little camden” businesses in a celebration of music and alternative fashion);
- traditional May Fayre (how Medieval can we go?);
- building a Frogmoor Garden (nailing our colours to the mast in wanting to improve this town from the ground up – a garden building event involving local community groups that could become an annual event in its own right);
- a one-day food festival celebrating all things local (working with Transition Town Wycombe to deliver and event with an emphasis on food tasting, new ideas and training).
The BID proposal will go to a vote in June/July and will ultimately be decided by the business ratepayers in the town. Hopefully, decisions on how to vote will be taken based on a mix of trust, acknowledgement that we can deliver and an aspiration that things can dramatically improve if the resources and the means become available.
The Mary Portas review sets out a plethora of recommendations that could contribute to saving our high streets. These are all laudable and indeed we are in broad agreement, having years of experience of working in different centres under our belts. Those recommendations of particular relevance to HW relate to the strength and opportunity of local markets (we have a fairly robust charter market three days a week), the need for “town teams” (the Town Centre Partnership is working closely with WDC at a strategic level to resolve public realm and management issues for the better), addressing use classes to make it easier to let vacant commercial units (we have a laissez-faire policy on the block from Church Street to Queens Square) and an increase in the opportunities for business improvement districts (BIDs) (we are developing and consulting upon our own BID proposal ready for ballot later this year).
The recommendations are all well and good but they still require the buy-in and commitment of businesses and landlords. This has to start, in our view, with the consultation process on our BID proposal. Commitment is not just about the “big-wins” out in the sunshine and in the media spotlight, it is about the hard work and the early mornings reading the documents, getting the structure right, securing the investment, and ultimately delivering real change.
We have invites to our BID meeting in January going out next week. We have four days of breakfast, lunch or an informal pub chat on 17th, 18th, 25th and 26th January in the diary so there are no excuses for not taking an hour to discuss our proposals. It could be the most useful hour you spend this year!
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a commentTerms and Conditions Glass Slipper Treasure Hunt
December 5, 2011The Treasure Hunt will be held on Saturday 10th December 2011 and Saturday 17th December 2011 only between 11am and 3 pm.
Each glass slipper (and an additional “rogue” slipper) that is hidden will be accompanied by a set of questions which must be answered correctly. A clue will also be given to the next location.
The part of the event for “children” shall have an age limit so that entrants must be 11 years old and younger on the 17th December 2011.
Only entries submitted on the official entry forms and posted into our “Human Postbox” on the two stated days in December will be entered into the prize draw.
Each entry judged to be successful, and thus entered into the draw for the stated prizes, will comprise correct answers to each of the six clues and have relevant contact information. Only those answers that correspond to the answers held by HWTCP shall be judged as correct. The judge’s decision shall be final as to the correct answers.
The prize draw shall take place in the w/c 19th December and shall be drawn by one of the participating business owners. A winner for each category shall be drawn and contacted to receive their prize. Should HWTCP be unable to contact the winners, via the details submitted on the entry form, an alternative entry will be drawn. The names of both winners will be made available on our Facebook page. Winners will be expected to participate in appropriate PR with HWTCP and event sponsors.
The prizes shall be as stated on the entry forms. There will only be one prize per winner. There will be no cash alternative. Each winner will be referred to the individual sponsor for relevant terms and conditions pertinent to the prize.
Event participants submit pictures to our Facebook page of their own accord, and as such allow HWTCP to use as appropriate to promote or record this event to stakeholders in the town. HWTCP reserves the right to remove submissions that could potentially cause offence either sexually, morally or religiously or any other behaviour deemed offensive or inflammatory.
The Facebook competition will be free to enter and will be judged on the photograph that HWTCP feels is a best representation of the event. The number of “likes” that the photograph receives will also be a secondary consideration. Only those photographs accompanied by the correct answer will be eligible. Entrants are required to submit a photograph representing their participation in the event and to answer the supplementary question posted on our Facebook page on Thursday 8th December 2011. The winner will receive a glass slipper chosen by HWTCP, which will be non-negotiable. There is no cash alternative. The name of the winner will be made available on our Facebook page. The winner will be expected to participate in appropriate PR with HWTCP and event sponsors.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged cinderella glass slipper, December, facebook, HWTCP, photograph, prize, terms and conditions, treasure hunt | Leave a comment ← Older postsRecent Posts
