Bid4oban - Outcome of Ballot and Nominations for Bid4oban BID Board
Argyll and Bute Council · 23 February 2023
Back to Argyll and Bute Council — 23 February 2023 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH 23rd FEBRUARY 2023 BID4OBAN – OUTCOME OF BALLOT AND NOMINATIONS FOR BID4OBAN BID BOARD 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 At the Council meeting on 29th September 2022 Elected Members considered a report which asked members to endorse the Oban Business Improvement District (BID4Oban) ballot submission and to approve the Business Plan, Term Three, in support of the ballot. It was also agreed that the Council would charge £7,956 (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 Oban. 1.2 The purpose of this report is to update members on the outcome of the BID4Oban Ballot held on 8th December 2022, to note that one Elected Member has been appointed to the Oban BID Board and to seek nomination of one Council Officer to sit on the Board of the Oban Business Improvement District (BID) company. RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that the Council:- a. Note the outcome in regard to the BID4Oban BID ballot. b. Note that Oban Lorn and the Isles Area Committee appointed an Elected Member to the BID4Oban BID Board meetings for the third term of the BID, 2023-2028 on 15th June 2022. c. Delegate authority to the Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth to nominate a Council Officer to attend the BID4Oban BID Board meetings for the third term of the BID, 2023- 2028.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH 23rd FEBRUARY 2023 BID4OBAN – OUTCOME OF BALLOT AND NOMINATIONS FOR BID4OBAN BID BOARD 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 At Full Council on 29th September 2022, Councillors agreed to approve the ballot request, approve the Oban BID Business Proposal and agreed to instruct the Returning Officer to conduct a ballot over 42 days in 2022, from Thursday 27th October to Thursday 8th December. 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 £7,956 (inc VAT) per annum to the BID company for administering the levy charge to businesses in Oban and to pay an estimated £6,120 per annum in levy contributions for Council properties in Oban. 2.4 Following approval by Full Council, the ballot was then set up and the ballot took place on Thursday 8th December 2022. The Business Community voted in favour of the Oban BID. 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 It is recommended that the Council:- a. Note the outcome in regard to the BID4Oban BID ballot. b. Note that Oban Lorn and the Isles Area Committee appointed an Elected Member to the BID4Oban BID Board meetings for the third term of the BID, 2023-2028 on 15th June 2022. c. Delegate authority to the Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth to nominate a Council Officer to attend the BID4Oban BID Board meetings for the third term of the BID, 2023- 2028.
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4.0 DETAIL 4.1 The Oban 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, 50% must vote in favour of the BID for a third term. 4.2 The ballot was held on Thursday 8th December and the Oban Business community has voted in favour of the Oban BID. The results were as follows: No. of Ballot Papers Issues No. of Returns Yes Votes No Votes Rejected Votes 548 205 156 46 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 Oban 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 ambitious projects and initiatives. 4.3 Following a successful yes vote, as laid out in the BID4Oban Business Proposal, the management and operation of the BID will continue under the existing company structure and name, BID4Oban Ltd, company number 435469, which will operate from 09/12/2022. 4.4 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 two representatives from Argyll and Bute Council, one Elected Member and one Council Officer. Oban Lorn and the Isles Area Committee appointed an Elected Member to the BID4Oban BID Board meetings for the third term of the BID, 2023-2028 on 15th June 2022. Other non-voting members may be coopted onto the Board at the Board’s 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. 4.5 In light of the successful “yes” vote the Council is asked to note that an Elected Member has been appointed to the Oban BID Board and to delegate authority to the Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth to nominate a Council Officer to attend the BID4Oban Board meetings for the third term of the BID, 2023-2028.
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4.6 The nominated Elected Member and Officer 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 BID4Oban has secured a “yes” vote from the business community in Oban. This is considered to be good news for Oban and the future of the town. An Elected Member has been appointed to the Oban BID Board and the Council is, therefore, asked to nominate a Council Officer to sit on the newly formed BID Board. The principle aim of BID4Oban 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 £7,956 (incl VAT) per annum to the BID4Oban 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 Oban BID. Two Council representatives, one Elected Member has been appointed and one Officer will be requested to attend BID4Oban 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 Oban and represents the collective responsibility to grow the Oban 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. 6.8 Customer Service – None.
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Executive Director with the responsibility for Development & Economic Growth – Kirsty Flanagan Policy Lead for Strategic Development – Councillor Robin Currie December 2022 For further information contact: Fergus Murray, Head of Development and Economic Growth Fergus.Murray@argyll-bute.gov.uk