Dunoon BID - Outcome of Ballot and Appointment of Elected Member to Dunoon BID Board
Argyll and Bute Council · 27 April 2023
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH 27TH APRIL 2023 DUNOON BID – OUTCOME OF BALLOT AND APPOINTMENT OF ELECTED MEMBER TO DUNOON BID BOARD 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 At the Council meeting on 24th November 2022 Elected Members considered a report which asked members to endorse the Dunoon Business Improvement District (BID) ballot submission and to approve the Business Plan, Term Three, in support of the ballot. It was also agreed that the Council would charge £7,903 (incl VAT) per annum to the BID company for administering the levy charge and to pay an estimated £6,120 per annum in levy contributions for Council properties in Dunoon. 1.2 The purpose of this report is to update members on the outcome of the Dunoon BID Ballot held on Thursday 2nd March 2023 and to notify members of the appointment of Councillor Ross Moreland to the Dunoon BID Board, which took place at the Council meeting on 19th May 2022. RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that the Council:- a. Note the outcome in regard to the Dunoon BID ballot. b. Note that Councillor Ross Moreland was appointed by the Council to the Dunoon BID Board and will attend Board meetings during the Third term, 2023-2028.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH 27th APRIL 2023 DUNOON BID – OUTCOME OF BALLOT AND APPOINTMENT OF ELECTED MEMBER TO DUNOON BID BOARD 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 At Full Council on 24th November 2022, Councillors agreed to approve the ballot request, approve the Dunoon BID Business Proposal and agreed to instruct the Returning Officer to conduct a ballot over 42 days in 2023, from Thursday 19th January to Thursday 2nd March. 2.2 The Council agreed to authorise the Executive Director with the responsibility for Development and Economic Growth to cast the votes on behalf of the Council in favour of the BID. 2.3 The Council also agreed that, if the BID company was successful in gaining a third term of operations, the Council would charge £7,903 (inc VAT) per annum to the BID company for administering the levy charge to businesses in Dunoon and to pay an estimated £6,120 per annum in levy contributions for Council properties in Dunoon. 2.4 Following approval by Full Council, the ballot was then set up and the ballot took place on Thursday 2nd March 2023. The Business Community voted in favour of the Dunoon BID. 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 It is recommended that the Council:- a. Note the outcome in regard to the Dunoon BID ballot. b. Note that Councillor Ross Moreland was appointed by the Council to the Dunoon BID Board and will attend Board meetings during the Third term, 2023-2028.
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4.0 DETAIL 4.1 During the first two terms of the Dunoon BID, much has been achieved in developing a full and regular calendar of sporting events, with the BID levering over £2.8million into the Dunoon economy and, with the success of the third term ballot, there is a projection of a further £1.75million of growth in the Dunoon economy over the next five years. Furthermore, the Dunoon BID Board has committed to working more collaboratively with other key stakeholders in Dunoon to provide a unique opportunity for businesses across all sectors to work together, invest collectively and undertake projects which can contribute positively to improving the economic viability of businesses in Dunoon and securing investment in the area. The Dunoon BID Board has also committed to holding a fit and proper Annual General Meeting (AGM) on a yearly basis. 4.2 The Dunoon BID was dependent on a successful outcome in the ballot. For the ballot to count, a minimum 25% turnout of all businesses had to be realised, and of those business representatives that voted, over 25% by number and 25% by combined rateable value had to vote in favour of the BID. 4.3 The ballot was held on Thursday 2nd March and the Dunoon Business community has voted in favour of the Dunoon BID. The results were as follows: No. of Ballot Papers Issues No. of Returns Yes Votes No Votes Rejected Votes 435 195 144 48 3 The BID ballot has therefore secured a minimum turnout in respect of all businesses, and of those business representatives that vote, over 50% by number. The result has also met the 25% figure by combined rateable value vote in favor of the BID. Given the many economic challenges placed before Dunoon in the previous term it is welcomed that there was a very positive result which allows the local business community to implement their new business plan which contains a number of collaborative projects and initiatives. 4.4 Following a successful yes vote, as laid out in the Dunoon Business Proposal, the management and operation of the BID will continue under the existing company structure and name, PA23 BID Ltd, company number SC448869, which will operate from 3rd March 2023. 4.5 The Board will continue to be representative of the businesses and stakeholders in the area and will act in the best interests of the BID company. The Chair, Vice Chair, Company Secretary and Treasurer will be elected from the business members of the Board. The Board will include Councillor Ross Moreland, Elected Member, as a representative from Argyll and Bute Council. Other non-voting members may be coopted onto the Board at the Board’s
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discretion. The Company will operate in a transparent way, answerable to the levy payers in the area. There will be a detailed set of protocols, which will cover the management of the BID and billing, collection and transfer of the levy. 4.6 The appointed Elected Member will, along with the rest of the Directors, act in the best interests of the BID company and add their support to the work of the BID. 5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 Dunoon BID has secured a “yes” vote from the business community in Dunoon. This is considered to be good news for Dunoon and the future of the town. The Council is, therefore, asked to note that Councillor Ross Moreland will sit on the newly formed BID Board. The principle aim of Dunoon BID is to continue to deliver projects and events that improve the trading environment of the area. 6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Policy – Supports the delivery of the Local Outcome Improvement Plan and the Council’s Economic Strategy and Economic Recovery Plan. 6.2 Financial - The estimated Council levy payment will be £6,120 per annum for a period of 5 years as a budget pressure from the general unallocated fund. The Council will charge £7,903 (incl VAT) per annum to the Dunoon BID for the collection and administration of the levy, with charges increasing on an annual basis. 6.3 Legal - Facilitation of ballot. 6.4 HR - Council officers are supporting the Dunoon BID on an ad hoc basis. One Elected Member has been appointed to attend Dunoon BID Board meetings. 6.5 Fairer Scotland Duty 6.5.1 Equalities – protected characteristics – None. 6.5.2 Socio-economic Duty - The BID aims to reduce inequalities of outcome caused by socio-economic disadvantage in Dunoon and represents the collective responsibility to grow the Dunoon economy. 6.5.3 Islands – None. 6.6 Climate Change - The business plan will take environmental impact into consideration in the delivery of projects. 6.7 Risk – The BID company may not deliver what was laid out in their Business Proposal and Business Plan.
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6.8 Customer Service – None. Executive Director with the responsibility for Development & Economic Growth – Kirsty Flanagan Policy Lead for Strategic Development – Councillor Robin Currie March 2023 For further information contact: Fergus Murray, Head of Development and Economic Growth Fergus.Murray@argyll-bute.gov.uk