Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of City Development which sets out the Council’s role in operating the Leeds Business Improvement District (LeedsBID) ballot for a third term for the period 2025-2030. This enables Executive Board to give due consideration to the recommendations in the report and to affirm the Council’s in-principle support for a city centre BID over that 5 year period.

The Director of City Development submitted a report which presented proposals regarding the Council’s role in operating the Leeds Business Improvement District (LeedsBID) ballot for a third term for the period 2025-2030.

The Executive Member introduced the report providing an overview of the key points and highlighting LeedsBID’s intention to increase the geographical area of the BID by extending it south of the river into the South Bank. It was noted that this would increase the number of businesses in the BID by 100. Also, an update on footfall figures for the city centre was provided.

Clarification was provided that a further report would be submitted to the Board in September 2024 regarding LeedsBID’s Business Plan for 2025-2030 and also in relation to the Council’s vote in the upcoming ballot.

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, the Board was provided with further detail on LeedsBID’s consultation with stakeholders regarding the proposed geographical expansion of the BID area.

Also, further detail was provided on the work which had been undertaken in the city centre by the BID to date, and the positive impact that had been noted both in terms of footfall in the city centre and also from an economic perspective. 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the arrangements for the Council to operate a ballot, as presented in the submitted report, and in accordance with the statutory role of the Local Authority as set out in the BID regulations 2004, be approved;

(b)  That the draft Statement of Services, as presented in Appendix 2 to the submitted report, be approved, and in doing so, the Board provides a commitment to continue to maintain provision of services within the LeedsBID area;

(c)  That the proposed Operating Agreement, as presented at Appendix 3 to the submitted report, be approved;

(d)  That the stages and timescales, as outlined within the submitted report, which are required to implement the Board’s resolutions, be noted, with it also being noted that the Head of City Centre Management is responsible for the implementation of such matters;

(e)  That it be noted that a further report will be submitted to Executive Board in September 2024 containing LeedsBID’s Business Plan for 2025-2030 and that will provide a recommendation for the Council’s vote in the upcoming ballot. That it also be noted that additional financial information will be provided at this time;

(f)  That LeedsBID’s intention to extend their geographical area into the South Bank of the city centre, be noted, with it also being noted that in line with BID regulations, this change requires a new ballot to be held rather than a renewal ballot.