The report of the Strategic Director of Place (Document “BV”) deals with the proposed Council arrangements to enable the achievement, by Keighley Business Improvement District, of a second five year term.

Recommended –

(1)       That provision is made, with the Council’s Returning Officer and Electoral Services unit, to hold a ballot of eligible businesses for a future term for Keighley Business Improvement District, to be held before the end of March 2021.

(2)       In the event that virus cases increase and a further delay arises, the ballot should take place as soon as is reasonably practicable subject to Government further extending the first term.

(3)       That the Strategic Director - Corporate Resources be authorised to vote in the ballot on the Council’s behalf with respect to relevant property holdings within the BID area.

(4)       That a revision of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Council and Keighley BID be progressed by the Director of Finance to support the anticipated ballot process.

(5)       That the revised Baseline Study on existing Council service delivery within the eligible area, is prepared to support the anticipated ballot process.       

(6)       That changes to the expected term of Keighley BID be noted.

(Regeneration and Environment Overview & Scrutiny)

(Paul North – 07582 107873)

The report of the Strategic Director of Place (Document “BV”) dealt with the proposed Council arrangements to enable the achievement, by Keighley Business Improvement District, of a second five year term.

The Regeneration, Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder commended the success of the Keighley BID which was one of the first BID’s in West Yorkshire, with Bradford having more BIDs that any other West Yorkshire District and on which other BID’s had been modelled. 

The Programme Delivery Manager explained that in normal circumstances the term of the BID would have expired in December 2020 but that due to the Covid-19 pandemic the Government had extended the term until 31 March 2021.

The Keighley BID manager attended the meeting and reported that the first term had gone well and that a business plan was being produced in preparation for the vote in 2021.

A BID Board member who had been Chair of the start up attended the meeting and commented that the BID had provided a central pot of money to fund events in the town centre such a Keighley by the Sea and the Christmas event both of which had brought people into the town centre.  He added that the BID provided support and business advice for traders and SME’s and who would not be able to afford to finance promotions on their own.  He was of the opinion that the Keighley BID was leading the way nationally when compared with other BIDs.

The Leader thanked the BID Board member and all the businesses for their work in their own time and unpaid.  She added that anything the Council and Government could do to support town centres was vitally important.  She noted that Government  needed to support town centre organisations.

The Leader of the Opposition Group expressed scepticism about the future of Keighley town centre and the effectiveness of the BID.

The BID Board member defended the future of Keighley town centre and noted that there was a waiting list of people to take empty units in the town centre.  He added that the closure of stores was a national issue and not unique to Keighley.

The Regeneration, Planning and Transport Portfolio holder endorsed the Board member’s comments and noted that there was money in the budget to prepare a  Masterplan for Keighley with the aim of creating a pipeline of projects for Keighley. The Towns Fund also presented a good opportunity to secure investment in the Town.

The Children and Families Portfolio Holder welcomed the BID as a Keighley Ward Councillor.  He welcomed the activity directed towards highlighting Keighley in a positive way and stressed the need to work together to make sure that Keighley thrived.

The Leader thanked the Keighley BID Manager and the Board member for all their work to bring investment to Keighley town centre and added that the Council would do all it could to support the next phase of the BID.

Resolved –

(1)       That provision is made, with the Council’s Returning Officer and Electoral Services unit, to hold a ballot of eligible businesses for a future term for Keighley Business Improvement District, to be held before the end of March 2021.

(2)     That in the event that virus cases increase and a further delay arises, the ballot should take place as soon as is reasonably practicable subject to Government further extending the first term.

(3)       That the Strategic Director - Corporate Resources be authorised to vote in the ballot on the Council’s behalf with respect to relevant property holdings within the BID area.

(4)       That a revision of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Council and Keighley BID be progressed by the Director of Finance to support the anticipated ballot process.

(5)       That the revised Baseline Study on existing Council service delivery within the eligible area, is prepared to support the anticipated ballot process.       

(6)        That changes to the expected term of Keighley BID be noted.

ACTION:        Strategic Director of Place

(Regeneration and Environment Overview & Scrutiny)