Agenda item

Further to minute 247 of 17 March 2015 the committee is requested to consider the Chichester Business Improvement District’s (BID) progress to date against its Business Plan and to make any recommendations with regard to its future operation.

Mrs Apel welcomed Ms Charlotte Wickins (BID Manager) and Mr Andrew Finnamore, (BID Chairman) to the meeting.

The Economic Development Manager introduced the report (copy attached to the official minutes). Mr Finnamore then took members through the BID’s reports, introducing Ms Wickins, the new BID Manager, who had been in post for a year. He acknowledged that public relations needed to be addressed to ensure that business leaders understand that the BID is the independent voice representing businesses and the city and to make clear what the BID’s contribution achieves and its value. Members of the BID currently pay a levy of l% of rateable value; business will be consulted on whether they would like to increase this levy percentage in the second term.

MsWickins advised that businesses would go to the vote on 27 October 2016 to decide whether to continue with the BID. An Ambassador has been taken on to help with business consultation in this regard. A Ranger would also be employed to be the ‘eyes and ears’ of the BID on the street. Mr Finnamore would be standing down at the end of the 5 years term in March 2017 and a new Chairman would be sought. If the vote is in favour, the second term of the BID would focus on income improvement possibly with added services, raising Chichester’s profile nationally, improving the night time economy, discount codes and Wi-Fi access.

The Committee made comments including:

·           With Thursdays shut it appears that the town is not that busy. The BID is concerned at the slowing down of the night time economy and is having regular meetings with Chibac (the business security partnership). They are looking to support the City Angels as part of the BID. They would like support from the district council to look for a place for a central nightclub as there is a need for the town to be attractive to a younger audience.

·           What are you using the knowledge from the new mobile mapping system for? This will be used to monitor smart phones coming into the city to identify where people go and by their regularity can identify a city worker or visitor. It will be a more accurate indication of footfall in the city.

·           The city maps are a success, but who fills the map pockets up? The job of the new Ranger will be to fill up map pockets.

·           Questioned whether peer pressure could be used to utilize all areas of business i.e. above shop floors? Most businesses require landlord’s permission and change of use approval and they may not want the disruption of trying to let the space.

·           The use of a cherry picker to clear vegetation from gutters above shops and spread the cost/benefit?  This is a good example of an additional service which could be charged for.

·           The pedestrianised areas are not attractive. Are we able to apply pressure to WSCC to upgrade the condition of the street/pavement surface? WSCC have budgetary constraints as we do. The district’s cleansing department does a good job of cleaning the streets. How we fund planters needs to be considered between the three tiers of government.

·           Are there any threats to the future vitality of Chichester business district? This is being considered through the work on the Chichester Vision to ensure a strong future for Chichester considering the impacts of new housing and employment space. Mr Finnamore is on the Steering Group and Ms Wickins is on the Project Team.

·           Issues with the availability of coach parking? Coach parking is available but coach companies don’t necessarily research the location of these before setting out. We need to consider doing some advertising to coach companies. A representative from Stagecoach is on the Project Team for Chichester Vision.

Members thanked Mr Finnamore and Ms Wickins for a thorough progress report and remarked on some of the excellent projects being carried out.

RESOLVED

That progress to date against the BID’s five year Business Plan be noted.