Issue - decisions

Recommendations

1          That the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Business, Culture & Heritage endorsed NWEC’s Renewal & Alteration Proposal.

2          That the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Business, Culture & Heritage requested the Chief Executive as Returning Officer and “Ballot Holder” to hold a ballot for NWEC’s proposed Renewal & Alteration 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.

Reasons for Decision 

1          NWEC had a strong collaborative relationship with the City Council and is an active contributor to the West End Partnership and its working groups. Examples include:

·         Recruit London: Over 1800 recruited from Westminster into the programme since inception. The BID was keen to evolve this looking at colleges and wider work across retail, hotel, restaurant and commercial sectors.

·         Public Realm Funding: £5m private sector funding toward the Bond Street Improvement Plan. Working to secure up to £50m from private sector toward Oxford Street District transformation.

·         West End Partnership: A range of programmes across freight consolidation, inward investment promotion, lobbying, marketing, safety & security to benefit the BID’s business members and wider West End.

·         TIF BID: Activation of private sector support with Westminster Property Association behind the lobbying campaign.

·         Business Rates: Joint lobbying on better transitional rate relief £10m saving to West End businesses; supported Government £300m relief fund with £20m secured for Westminster Businesses.

2          It was anticipated that NWEC will continue to play an active part in the joint working arrangements Westminster had 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 would also continue to encourage NWEC as with all BIDs to work collaboratively with each other on joint initiatives so as to avoid duplication of resources and contact with the City Council.

3          This report described the BID Renewal & Alteration Proposal that had been submitted by NWEC to continue into a fourth term. These did not conflict with City Council policies. The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Business, Culture & Heritage was therefore asked to endorse the Renewal & Alteration Proposal and other recommendations contained in this report. This report had been placed on the forward list of executive decisions.