Item 7 - Appendix 2
West Dunbartonshire Council · 14 August 2024
Back to Infrastructure, Regeneration & Economic Development Committee — 14 August 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Assessment No 1035 Owner mswider Resource Regeneration, Environment and Growth Service Regeneration FirstName Surname Job Title Head Officer magdalena swider Regeneration Coordinator Members Gillian McNamara (Please note: the word 'policy' is used as shorthand for strategy policy function or financial decision) Policy Title Proposed Business Improvement District, Alexandria The aim, objective, purpose and intended out come of policy A group of Businesses in Alexandria (BID Steering Group) are working to establish a Business Improvement District (BID). A Business Improvement District (BID) is a geographically defined area where businesses come together and agree to invest collectively in projects and services that the businesses identify will improve the trading environment over and above those provided by statutory authorities. The activities undertaken by the BID are funded with the money collected through the compulsory investment levy set and paid by all the property owners and property occupiers in the BID area (unless exempt in full or part). BID’s focus will be on town centre improvements delivered through small capital investment, events and initiatives as well as marketing. It will complement the delivery of actions from the Alexandria Town Centre masterplan approved in 2021. The key Local Authority tasks and responsibilities related to BID are: - Compliance with the statutory timescales including for review, approval or veto of the BID proposals - Provision of information from non-domestic rates billing records - Provision of the statutory and non-statutory baseline statements (Baseline Service Agreement) - Arranging and running of BID ballot - Management, collection and enforcement of the BID Levy Service/Partners/Stakeholders/service users involved in the development and/or implementation of policy. Businesses within Alexandria WDC Finance team (levy collection) WDC Democratic Services team (BID ballot) WDC Regeneration (BID lisaison) WDC Services which contribute to the Service Level Agreement (Roads and Neighborhood, Regulatory & Regeneration, Communities) Does the proposals involve the procurement of any goods or services? Yes If yes please confirm that you have contacted our procurement services to discuss your requirements. No SCREENING You must indicate if there is any relevance to the four areas Duty to eliminate discrimination (E), advance equal opportunities (A) or foster good relations (F) Yes Relevance to Human Rights (HR) Yes ITEM 7 - APPENDIX 2
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Relevance to Health Impacts (H) Yes Relevance to Social Economic Impacts (SE) Yes Who will be affected by this policy? Local businesses in Alexandria Alexandria Community WDC Asset Management as a landlord WDC Finance WDC Democratic Services WDC Regeneration Who will be/has been involved in the consultation process? Have Community Councils been engaged yet? have the Communities Team been involved in discussions? Local businesses have been consulted by the BID Steering Group. The BID will be established only if it is supported by a majority of businesses, as per the relevant legislation. BID Steering group liaised with WDC Regeneration throughout the BID development process. WDC Council Services which will have an obligation to support the BID have been consulted and are aware of the additional workload. Some of the services can be outsources by the Council or a fee can be charged to cover the costs. On receipt of the BID proposal the Council can either support of veto the BID however there are only specific ground for vetoing.
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Please outline any particular need/barriers which equality groups may have in relation to this policy list evidence you are using to support this and whether there is any negative impact on particular groups. Specific group to consider Needs Evidence Impact Age Alexandria lacks services or events which would attract families with young children. Feedback from the local community and businesses. Town centre attractive for people of all ages. Positive impact for health and wellbeing for all members of the community. Disability The Council needs to take into account accessibility when making decisions that are relevant to this Business are required to make reasonable adjustments to make services accessible to disabled people The Alexandria masterplan notes the importance of increasing accessibility There is an opportunity to discuss accessibility Gender Reassign Marriage & Civil Partnership Pregnancy & Maternity Race Religion and Belief Sex Sexual Orientation Human Rights The Council needs to consider if Human Rights issues are relevant: This includes UNCRC rights in terms of Children and Young people, and cross cuts with Article 8 of the ECHR on Family life which is broad interpreted in case law. Christie Park Primary School will be a non voting member on the board. The School has recently been awarded stage one of of UNICEFS Rights Respecting Schools Bronze Award Positive as there is an opportunity through board membership to ensure that children's and young peoples are taken into consideration Health Health and well being is a focus of the Council's Strategic plan. Increased town center attractiveness Positive impact for health and wellbeing for all members of the community.
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Social & Economic Impact We need to have regard to the Community Empowerment Act We need to have regards to the Fairer Scotland Duty Alexandria Town centre, like many other small towns, has been facing challenges related to increased competition from online shopping and out of town developments. It has struggled to secure the right investment and retain sustainable level of footfall. Feedback from the local community and businesses has feed into the process. Vibrant, economically sustainable and attractive town centre. Positive social and economic impact for all members of the community from all age ranges. Cross Cutting It good practice for the Council to consider how various factors interact. The Council have Feedback from the local community and businesses. Alexandria Town centre, like many other small towns, has been facing challenges related to increased competition from online shopping and out of town developments. It has struggled to secure the right investment and retain sustainable level of footfall. The Council have place on the board. BID will deliver improvements in the town centre, paid for levy on all businesses. Levy has been established at a sustainable level and will be affordable to all businesses.
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Policy has a negative impact on an equality group,but is still to be implemented, please provide justification for this. N/A Will the impact of the policy be monitored and reported on an ongoing bases? Once established, the BID will be managed by a Board of Directors. The Council's involvement will be limited to levy collection and liaison with BOD as a partner. Q7 What is you recommendation for this policy? Intoduce Please provide a meaningful summary of how you have reached the recommendation EIA 1035: Potential positive impacts in terms of age for younger and older people and health, as well as economic benefits. The masterplan for the area identifies the importance of accessibility and this can be discussed among stakeholders through the board for example. The proposal has the potential to benefit the local town Centre, wider community and businesses. The impact on the businesses is minimal and levy has been established at a sustainable level. The impact on Council services can be absorbed within the existing resources, and cost of some of the services will be covered by BID.