Issue - meetings

Accommodation BID

Meeting: 06/03/2024 - Cabinet (Item 117)

117 Accommodation BID pdf icon PDF 259 KB

This report outlines proposals for an Accommodation Business Improvement District (ABID) covering the whole of the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole region.  Cabinet are asked to confirm that the proposals do not conflict with Council policy. They are also asked to instruct the Chief Executive (as Ballot Holder) to put in place arrangements to hold the ABID ballot.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that: -

(a)            Cabinet note the proposals for the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Accommodation BID from the ABID Shadow Board BID Proposer

(b)           Delegate to the Director of Law and Governance in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Tourism to confirm that the ABID proposals do not conflict with any policy formally adopted by, and contained in a document published by, the Council.

(c)            Delegate to the Chief Executive the authority to instruct the Ballot Holder to hold a BID ballot.

(d)           Delegate to the Chief Operations Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Tourism, the Council’s vote on the ballot, as a levy member operating the Bournemouth Beach Lodges

(e)            Noting that if the ABID is approved, the Council will be responsible as the Billing Authority for collection of the BID levy in accordance with the BID arrangements.

(f)             Note that the Council has been offered, and would accept a permanent voting seat on the ABID Board for the 5-year term. The Council’s voting representative to be the Leader of the Council or a deputy nominated by them

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Connected Communities

Reason

A successful ballot would lead to a significant step change in the levels of investment across destination, raising at least £2m a year to invest in marketing, events, placemaking and partnership activities over the course of the 5-year term of the ABID. Its purpose, to support growth in the visitor economy by targeting an increase in higher value staying visitors throughout the year.

The proposals support the Council’s plans to deliver a balanced medium term financial plan by supporting growth of the local economy with no additional costs to the Council.

Enabling the community to take forward this initiative is fully aligned to the Council’s Corporate Plan strategic aims and objectives including Place & Environment and People & Communities.

 

Minutes:

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Connected Communities presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the report outlined proposals for an Accommodation Business Improvement District (ABID) covering the whole of the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole region.

In relation to this Cabinet was asked to confirm that the proposals do not conflict with Council policy, and to instruct the Chief Executive (as Ballot Holder) to put in place arrangements to hold the ABID ballot.

In presenting the report the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder proposed an amendment to recommendation (b): - 

(b) Delegate to the Director of Law and Governance in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Tourism to confirm that the ABID proposals Confirm that the proposals do not conflict with any policy formally adopted by, and contained in a document published by, the Council.

In addition to this Cabinet was advised of a number of amendments to the covering report following a review of the report in response to the comments which had been received, these amendments were summarised by the monitoring officer as follows: -

-       Paragraph 3

The following be inserted after the sentence ending in …local visitor economy: -

‘…local visitor economy. Investment derives from a levy based on occupancy levels for every quarter of the five-year term of the A BID, each eligible accommodation provider will be charged the levy, the proposed levy rate £2.00 per night plus VAT.

the sentence ‘investment derives from a levy charged per room night to guests staying in local hotels’ is deleted.

-       Paragraph 7

To insert ‘under the Business Improvement District Regulations’ which is already in.

-       Paragraph 8

to reflect that the Tourism Strategy 2023 – 2027 is listed prior to the first bullet point.

-       Paragraph 19 – Summary of Financial Implications

‘The cost for holding the ballot will be funded by the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Accommodation BID A BID proposer.’

-       Paragraph 20 – Summary of Financial Implications

The words ‘levy payer and’ are deleted so the paragraph will read

‘The Council as levy payer and operator of the Bournemouth Beach Lodges, would be liable as a levy payer, it may voluntarily choose to pass on the levy to its guests to apply the visitor charge to its guest’.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)            Cabinet note the proposals for the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Accommodation BID from the ABID Shadow Board BID Proposer

(b)           Delegate to the Director of Law and Governance in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Tourism to confirm that the ABID proposals do not conflict with any policy formally adopted by, and contained in a document published by, the Council.

(c)            Delegate to the Chief Executive the authority to instruct the Ballot Holder to hold a BID ballot.

(d)           Delegate to the Chief Operations Officer, in consultation with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 117