RESOLVED

1.    That the Willow Lane Business Improvement District (BID) proposal for the renewal of the BID ballot be supported and that any future decision on the BID renewal be delegated to the Director of Environment and Regeneration after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Housing and Transport.

2.    That the Council will charge the Willow Lane BID Board for the costs of business rates staff in collecting and administrating the levy.

3.    That the Council will recover the cost of the BID renewal ballot from the proposers if the renewal ballot is unsuccessful.

4.    That the Council will vote in support of the BID renewal for its own rated properties in the BID area and the voter will be the Director of Environment and Regeneration.      

Councillor Martin Whelton, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Housing and Transport presented the report, highlighting the timetable and the proposals for allocating the monies which would be received. 

In response to Members, officers clarified that the occupants of Connect House in Willow Lane would not be liable for business rates due to the building being converted to residential use.

The Chair welcomed the report and noted that Merton was one of the few local authorities in London which had Business Improvement Districts in industrial estates.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Willow Lane Business Improvement District (BID) proposal for the renewal of the BID ballot be supported and that any future decision on the BID renewal be delegated to the Director of Environment and Regeneration after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Housing and Transport.

2.    That the Council will charge the Willow Lane BID Board for the costs of business rates staff in collecting and administrating the levy.

3.    That the Council will recover the cost of the BID renewal ballot from the proposers if the renewal ballot is unsuccessful.

4.    That the Council will vote in support of the BID renewal for its own rated properties in the BID area and the voter will be the Director of Environment and Regeneration.