Decision details

1.       That the Cabinet Member for Business, Culture & Heritage endorsed the PaddingtonNow Renewal Proposal.

2.       That the Cabinet Member for Business, Culture & Heritage requested the Chief Executive as Returning Officer and “Ballot Holder” to hold a ballot for the proposed PaddingtonNow Renewal Proposal.

3.       That the Director of Law be authorised to complete the necessary legal agreements required for the operation of the BID Levy, Ballot and service arrangements and any other necessary matters for the proposed BID in consultation with the appropriate officers.

1.       PaddingtonNow has a strong collaborative relationship with the City Council. Examples include:

·       Two major highway schemes in Paddington, including the paving and lighting scheme on Praed Street south (this was when it was called Civic Streets) and the widening of London Street (west). The BID made a significant financial contribution, did a lot of business and property owner engagement and all forecourt agreements.

·       The transformation of both Talbot Square and Norfolk Square Gardens. Again contributing financially. At Norfolk Square they secured sponsored benches, installed table tennis, undertake regular planting, offer free deck chairs and co-fund the new Park Keeper’s hut.

·       The on-going Business Security Zone, set up by the BID was the first of its kind. This was subsequently adopted by the City Council. The BID has a paid-for police team and has regular tasking and information sharing meetings with Community Protection.

·       Weekly street audits undertaken by the BID provide additional eyes and ears for the City Council in Paddington.

·       The BID was one of the first BID members of Cross River Partnership and is active members of Clean Air Better Business. They participate regularly in anti-idling initiatives and have installed many pieces of green infrastructure to tackle air pollution and flooding.

2.       It is anticipated that PaddingtonNow will continue to play an active part in the joint working arrangements Westminster has set up for BIDs to liaise with City Council members and officers, to enable new ideas, plans and initiatives of mutual concern to be discussed prior to public launch. Officers will also continue to encourage PaddingtonNow as with all BIDs to work collaboratively with each other on joint initiatives so as to avoid duplication of resources and contact with the Council.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillor Davis declared that he in an observer on the boards of the BIDs.