committed to a better town centre
LOTS DONE I LOTS TO DO I LOTS TO LOSE
2012 - 2017 A BUSINESS PLAN FOR THE RENEWAL AND EXTENSION OF the ipswich town centre business improvement district
LOTS DONE I LOTS TO DO I LOTS TO LOSE
5
YEARS OF
ACHIEVEMENT
Ipswich’s Business Improvement District (BID) is entering the final phase of an initial five year term.
Since 2007, Ipswich Central, which manages the current BID, has introduced more than £3.3m of investment to the heart of the town, benefiting businesses, employees, students, residents and visitors alike. But the achievements have only just begun.
LOTS DONE INSIDE
5 Years Of Achievement
03
The BID zone
12
introduction
04
Place marketing
14
A Profile on BIDs
05
Place Management
22
The Ipswich BID
06
THE BALLOT/FINANCES
28
Building for the Future
08
THE LEVy/GOVERNANCE
A Vision for the Future
11
3 Steps for 5 More Years
02
A new second term BID, again managed by Ipswich Central, promises even greater things; delivering a new Vision for Ipswich that will set it apart from other competing town centres and help transform it into the destination it has long had the potential to be.
A positive vote will deliver an even brighter future for Ipswich’s town centre, introduce new services that will make a real and lasting difference, and help raise its profile locally, regionally and nationally.
In October 2011 businesses will be invited to vote to maintain a BID for the period to 2017.
This will be a crucial decision for Ipswich. Lots has been done; there remains lots to do; and there is lots to lose by not continuing with the improvements and investment already delivered.
LOTS TO DO
LOTS TO LOSE
• A more welcoming town centre which is cleaner and brighter.
• The vision for a Waterfront Town Centre now needs to be embraced.
• A further £3.76 million of investment over the next 5 years would be lost.
• An enhanced town centre with better lighting, more planting and an improved streetscape.
• Major new development opportunities must be delivered to secure long-term growth.
• New businesses and investors would turn away should Ipswich lose its BID status.
• A safer town centre with a Street Ranger team, new security systems, and with frequent offenders excluded.
• The retail offer requires further improvement by a targeted approach to missing stores.
• A more accessible town centre with parking and transport promotions, and better signage.
• Investment in improved management services needs to continue.
• Without a BID, Ipswich would lose valuable ground on other competing locations which are continuing to invest in themselves.
29
• A growing town centre with new, high-profile retailers added.
• Greater emphasis upon marketing will attract more customers, visitors, employees and students.
31
• A more appealing town centre with co-ordinated events, promotions, advertising and marketing.
• An opportunity to shape a new town centre, fit for the 21st Century and standing apart from its competitors.
03
• An award-winning management team with the enthusiasm and experience to achieve the objectives would be lost. • Marketing and management standards would not be maintained. • Everything that has been achieved over the first 5 years would be lost forever.
LOTS DONE I LOTS TO DO I LOTS TO LOSE
It is a great pleasure to be leading the efforts to continue the BID in Ipswich. When I first heard about the BID concept in 2005, it struck me as exciting and worthwhile and having now seen the range of improvements delivered during the first five years, I want to do everything that I can to ensure a successful second term. The BID is a key element in the continued growth and prosperity of Ipswich town centre. This Business Plan sets out a variety of proposals to help shape the sense of place and differentiate Ipswich as the place to be. We have worked in conjunction with many organisations, too numerous to mention individually. Enormous support has been provided by Ipswich Borough Council, Suffolk Constabulary and Suffolk County Council and, to them, I offer my sincere thanks. So much has been achieved by this BID, and often it is difficult to remember what life was like before it. Yet, there is still so much more to do. And, what is particularly apparent, is just how much would be lost if it were no longer here. Do read this plan and please join me in ensuring that the good work of the BID continues.
A PROFILE ON
EDINBURGH
NEWCASTLE
DUBLIN
LIVERPOOL
SWANSEA
NOTTINGHAM
120+ UK BIDS
BIDS IPSWICH
LONDON BRIGHTON
PLYMOUTH BID ZONE LOCATION
Since 2004, over 120 BIDs have been created including London, Newcastle, Swansea, Nottingham, Brighton, Liverpool and Edinburgh. Locally, both Great Yarmouth and Bury St Edmunds have benefited from BIDs, and Cambridge, Norwich and Lowestoft are known to be looking at their own development plans.
In 2004, following successful models in Canada, America, South Africa and Australia, the UK introduced legislation for the creation of BIDs.
BIDs succeed because they are focused, entrepreneurial and cost efficient – providing a powerful, and fast response to business needs. They are not a replacement for local authority and police services, but provide an additional resource. They are funded by businesses through a small levy, normally applied to the rateable value of commercial premises. BIDs are created by a ballot amongst participating businesses, and have a maximum term of five years before they
have to return to their electorate in order to be renewed. With public finances under pressure, BIDs are increasingly seen as the way in which those locations fortunate enough to have one, can surge ahead. If BIDs across the UK are not sustained, current national business trends indicate a gradual, sustained decline of commercial profitability in many town centres like Ipswich.
That’s why so many locations now want a BID like Ipswich! ALISTAIR LANG Chief Executive Birketts Solicitors
ANDY GODFREY public policy manager, Alliance Boots
Bids are a vital ingredient for the success of town centres
onboard Viking Blue at Ipswich Waterfront
04
05
THE TEAM
LOTS DONE I LOTS TO DO I LOTS TO LOSE
THE IPSWICH
£3.3M INVESTED
IN THE LAST
5 YEARS
BID
The Ipswich BID is managed by the award-winning team at Ipswich Central. The BID levy is now supplemented by significant additional income which combines to improve the town centre and creates more profitable businesses which have an increased say in how their tRADING ENVIRONMENT is managed. Ipswich Central has invested £3.3m TO DATE – money that would not HAVE existed without the BID.
1
2
10 3
5 6 4
12
15
1. Avi Kniznik 2. William Coe (Chair) 3. Emma Pratt (Chair, THE Forum) 4. Paul Clement (Executive Director) 5. Richard Culley (STREET MANAGEMENT)
8 9
6. Clare Bagley (BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION) 7. Sophie Alexander 8. Alex MAjDalani 9. Fanny Pasco (MARKETING) 10. Emily Barker 11. Leon BEARDSWORTH
11 7
13
12. Andy Miller (STREET SERVICES) 13. Fiona Wright (MARKETING and COMMUNICATIONS)
14
AWARDS AND ACCREDITATIONS The only BID fully accredited by the Police. • The only BID to have received the international award for quality management systems.
The 2010 national award for most innovative scheme ‘Best Bar None’ (jointly with Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk Constabulary).
A provider of services to other BIDs including Bayswater, Nottingham and Bury St Edmunds.
• The first BID to receive British BIDs Accreditation.
14. Richard Turner (INWARD INVESTMENT) 15. DavID Cook
VALUES Ipswich Central is committed to a culture of constant improvement; every action carried out promotes these core values:
Progressive
Distinctive
Every initiative must deliver real and tangible benefits to stakeholders, with constant reviews to further improve outputs.
The aim is always to maintain the very highest standards in order that ‘stand-out’ results are achieved.
Entrepreneurial
IPSWICH BEST BAR NONE
2 0 1 0
06
Accessible
Creative thinking, and a willingness to change, will ensure stakeholders ‘expectations’ are constantly met.
The needs and views of stakeholders are of paramount importance, and always encouraged and listened to.
07
LOTS DONE I LOTS TO DO I LOTS TO LOSE
BUILDING FOR THE
FUTURE
to monitor performance and plan for the future, the BID has constantly listened to its stakeholders. Close scrutiny has allowed greater control and flexibility when directing resources and now leads to ambitious pLANS for the next FIVE years.
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION PANEL (PEP)
THE FORUM
BID 100
The elected body which represents stakeholders in overseeing operational activities and providing direct feedback on their impact.
A group of businesses which provide regular feedback on the impact of the BID’s work. This has enabled changing trends and priorities to be tracked.
INFOZONE
PLANNING WORKSHOPS
STREET MEETS
A dedicated area of the website providing performance statistics including retail turnover, footfall, occupancy rates, parking, bus usage and crime figures.
Facilitated sessions have allowed the real wins from the first five years to be identified, as well as the priorities for the future. Interactive voting techniques have been utilised.
The BID team meets small groups of businesses informally in their own trading areas to respond to local needs.
INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
KEY THEMES EMERGING
FINAL CONSULTATION
In late 2010, the BID commissioned independent telephone and on-line research from a sample of 220 BID Zone businesses at both local and head office level.
A well-defined, overall visitor experience (essential). Strong marketing and promotion of the town (vital). A clean, safe and welcoming place (crucial).
In June 2011, the research and consultation results were delivered to BID Zone businesses both locally and at head office level. This included a framework for a second-term Business Plan.
A body of stakeholders which scrutinises aspects of service delivery and recommends how performance may be improved and impact maximised.
“The research and consultation results indicate strong support for increased marketing and continued on-street management so that the vision for East Anglia’s waterfront town centre can be realised”
BUSINESSES ENJOY BEING INVOLVED IN SHAPING PLANS FOR IPSWICH, THE BID ENSURES THIS HAPPENS Liz & Ken ambler proprietors of arlingtons restaurant
SHAUN BAILEY CHIEF EXECUTIVE, JACOB BAILEY
08
PICTURED AT ipswich library
09
LOTS DONE I LOTS TO DO I LOTS TO LOSE
A VISION FOR THE
FUTURE
“EAST ANGLIA’s waterfront town centre” Town and city centres are facing new competition from out-oftown retail and business parks, on-line shopping and competing locations at home and overseas. If Ipswich is to be a town which offers an exciting, attractive and differentiated proposition, it has to change and discover a real sense of identity. Ipswich is uniquely placed to reinvent itself into the major visitor destination of the area,
The town now has a vision, something to aim for. It is essential that WE deliver it in the future
attracting new investment as it moves ahead. Already, in the lifetime of the BID, the new Waterfront has undergone an astonishing renaissance, the Education Quarter, with the new University Campus Suffolk and Suffolk New College, has been established, and the Office Village now provides modern high quality accommodation. Ipswich must now stand apart from other locations as ‘East
Place Shaping
Richard lister deputy provost at university campus suffolk PICTURED AT archant, suffolk
10
11
Anglia’s Waterfront Town Centre’, creating interest through an interweaving of rich heritage with ultra modern facilities. The BID’s Vision for Ipswich town centre is anchored on an exciting juxtaposition of old and new, and will be produced through an adventurous delivery plan which celebrates the County town’s vibrant and unique culture.
THE BID ZONE - “EAST ANGLIA’S WATERFRONT TOWN CENTRE”
LOTS DONE I LOTS TO DO I LOTS TO LOSE
DANCE EAST
IPSWICH TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB UNIVERSITY CAMPUS SUFFOLK
ARCHANT WILLIS
AXA
BUTTERMARKET SHOPPING CENTRE
CORNHILL
SUFFOLK NEW COLLEGE
THE NEW WOLSEY THEATRE
THE REGENT THEATRE TOWER RAMPARTS SHOPPING CENTRE
For BID Zone map and A list OF INCLUDED sTReets visit www.voteipswich.com (FOR INDICATIVE PURPOSES ONLY)
12
13
LOTS DONE I LOTS TO DO I LOTS TO LOSE
PLACE MARKETING To encourage economic capital into THE BID ZONE in the shape of new businesses, property development, visitors, employees and students.
ATTRACTING CUSTOMERS The BID has created a strong brand for the town centre and uses all marketing platforms, including social media, to widely promote the area. This has made Ipswich easy to recognise and distinct in its position. The brand will evolve and grow as the diversity of marketing used to engage with visitors develops and extends its reach.
PROMOTIONS
APPEALING TO EMPLOYEES & STUDENTS The BID has worked on freshers’ weeks and thousands of students have been encouraged to spend money in the town, via the range of marketing platforms. Businesses have been provided with fully-funded customer service training for employees.
Ipswich Central Plus, the successful promotional voucher download site, created by the BID and unique to the town centre, has recently had smartphone capability added. A smartphone app utilising GPS is planned to notify visitors of changing events, promotions and offers.
A ‘prospectus for Ipswich’ will act as a promotional tool for new staff, students and visitors.
7% £773, 9 40 12, 0 83 INCREASE OF POTENTIAL SPEND PEOPLE *
In footfall in 2010, compared to a national decline of -3.5%
from website in 18 months. THAT’S MORE THAN 350,000 CUPS OF COFFEE *based on an average of £30 per visit
14
actively making buying decisions via ipswich central plus
EVENTS The Christmas lights switch-on has led to a host of new events and promotions including, Ipswich Sings, Spin, WOW! (What’s-on-Wednesdays?), WOW2! (What’s-on-Winter?), Desk to Dinner, Love Your Independents, Maritime Ipswich and a range of continental markets. Future events planned for the calendar include food and fashion promotions.
52% INCREASE IN ‘WOW!’ VISITORS in one year, With 74% of attendees only visiting as a result of the event
15
LOTS DONE I LOTS TO DO I LOTS TO LOSE
IPSWICH HAS SO MUCH TO OFFER WE NEED TO SHOUT ABOUT IT.
PLACE MARKETING
ASSIS CARREIRO ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & CHIEF EXECUTIVE AT DANCEEAST PICTURED AT IPSWICH TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB
ENCOURAGING MORE VISITORS Advertising, events and promotions have widened the appeal of the town centre to visitors. A new visitor website will allow people to access information, find accommodation, view a calendar of events and download offers. The capability will exist for buy and book on-line promotions.
BUSINESS SUPPORT Independent business grants have helped fund investment. Energy Rangers have been introduced to broker reduced energy bills. The ‘Test Trading’ initiative has allowed new retailers to operate trials in the BID Zone on low-cost, flexible introductory terms. Information is made available through face-to-face meetings, newsletters and e-updates. An Associate Member Scheme exists to enable businesses outside the zone to participate in initiatives. The range of cost-saving initiatives will be extended beyond energy reduction to help further reduce business overheads.
ENCOURAGING NEW BUSINESS INVESTMENT In recent months, the BID, together with Ipswich Borough Council, has jointly funded an Inward Investment Surveyor to target missing businesses, and identify the potential for further retail development as part of the new Vision. White Stuff, Cotswold Outdoor, Viyella and Office are just some of the retail names added. The new BID will commit similar funding to this initiative for the next five years.
10 100% 89% MILLION SAVING OCCUPANCY RATE +
OPPORTUNITIES TO SEE/HEAR ABOUT IPSWICH TOWN CENTRE, VIA A VARIETY OF MEDIA CHANNELS
16
BY THE 1st BUSINESS TO SIGN UP TO ENERGY COST REDUCTION SCHEME. This means the bid is “cost-neutral”
17
OF TOWN CENTRE TRADING UNITS - UP ON PREVIOUS YEARS (2010 / 2011)
LOTS DONE I LOTS TO DO I LOTS TO LOSE
PLACE MARKETING PUBLICITY, ADVERTISING AND MEDIA Advertising spend and use of digital media to promote the creative Ipswich Central consumer brand style and message has increased. This has been supported by strong editorial coverage throughout the region. The proposed new website, new forms of social media and an Ipswich App will serve to significantly raise the profile again.
TRANSPORT INITIATIVES
EVENING ECONOMY
Park for £1 on Sundays has recently been extended to late afternoons from Monday to Friday. Park & Ride for £1 operated over Christmas and mobile ticketing has provided an innovative way for customers to purchase tickets.
‘Desk to Dinner’ has given businesses the opportunity to promote discounts and offers. The award-winning ‘Best Bar None’ scheme now promotes accredited licensed premises.
Car parking and public transport initiatives will continue, with more promotions via Ipswich Central Plus.
‘Best Bar None’ entry costs will be funded for BID Zone operators. A new ‘Alive After Five’ promotion will advertise the full evening economy offer of shopping, food, drink, leisure, and clubs. An application will be made for Purple Flag status.
640,000 200,000 22 EMAILS PEOPLE BUSINESSES SENT TO bid area visitorS in 2011 Alone
visited and used the transport promotions. That’s enough to fill the o2 areNa 10 times.
WE LOVE THE WORK OF THE BID, THAT’S WHY The Ramada encore participates as an associate bid member
accredited BY best bar none in the first year Melissa dickinson sales manager, ramada encore hotel PICTURED AT WHITE STUFF
18
19
LOTS DONE I LOTS TO DO I LOTS TO LOSE
20
21
LOTS DONE I LOTS TO DO I LOTS TO LOSE
PLACE MANAGEMENT
To meet visitors’ and investors’ expectations by ensuring that the BID zone is cleaner, safer and more appealing.
DELIVERING THE VISION
SHERLOCK
RADIOLINK
The Vision for the future places improved prosperity and wider appeal at its core by delivering an integrated Waterfront town centre which will provide a unique experience for businesses, their customers and staff.
A bespoke crime database system has been developed to allow Rangers to issue on-the-spot exclusion warnings and notices to frequent offenders. Offenders are then banned immediately from all participating premises for up to a year. Offender information is distributed to all participants providing vital up-to-the-minute intelligence.
The radio security system puts participating BID Zone businesses in direct contact with the Rangers, the Police and CCTV. It has grown to include 180+ users, making it one of the largest systems in the UK and has helped reduce stock loss.
The BID will work with all partners to deliver a renewed and revitalised town centre in line with the Vision and Delivery plan.
Crime and anti-social behaviour are now strongly tackled in the BID Zone and, as time progresses, it will become a ‘no-go’ area for offenders.
Investment in the system will continue, with even greater usage encouraged amongst evening economy and independent operators.
500,000 1,603 £156, 0 00 SQ.FT INCREASE EXCLUSION WARNINGS RECOVERED IN RETAIL FLOOR SPACE proposed by THE VISION
ISSUED WITH 119 RESULTING IN FINAL BANS
22
Stolen goods from retail stores in 1,690 shoplifting incidents
CLEANING & STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The BID zone has been kept graffiti free, chewing gum is removed, grot spot areas are deep cleaned, morning-after and Sunday cleans have begun and the Waterfront is now cleared of rubbish and debris. The new Street Services team attends to routine maintenance tasks such as painting, weeding and repairs. In 2007, Ipswich was named ‘cleanest town in Britain’. A more targeted approach to cleaning and maintenance will be adopted in the future.
298,375
SQ.FT OF CHEWING GUM removed that’s the equivalent of 4 football pitches
23
LOTS DONE I LOTS TO DO I LOTS TO LOSE
PLACE MANAGEMENT
THE RANGER TEAM IS NOW AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF MANAGING A SAFE AND WELCOMING TOWN CENTRE FOR VISITORS
CHILD SAFE
STREET RANGERS
PLANTING
Family visits to the BID Zone have been encouraged by making it a safer place for children. Wristbands containing information as to how youngsters can be reunited with parents if lost are available. Childsafe points have Radiolink access to the Rangers, Police and CCTV and act as safe centres for lost infants.
The Street Ranger team has provided a welcoming and reassuring presence for visitors and a reliable daily link for all stakeholders. As the only Ranger team in the UK to hold Police Accreditation, they are a proactive deterrent to criminals, and have reduced crime and anti-social behaviour.
Floral displays are provided to the BID Zone in the summer period.
The number of Childsafe points will continue to increase and the benefits of the scheme will be extensively promoted on the new visitor website.
The responsibilities of the team will be extended and some experimental Sunday working will be introduced.
134 22,700 425 CHILDREN MILES DISPLAYS
REUNITED WITH FAMILIES AND OVER 23,000 WRISTBANDS DISTRIBUTED.
walked in the bid zone by rangers that’s once around the world, and some!
MIKE SORHAINDO CENTRE MANAGER, TOWER RAMPARTS SHOPPING CENTRE
24
PICTURED AT MARITIME IPSWICH, WATERFRONT
Planting will be more creatively used to promote the various areas within the BID Zone. The town centre should then be better placed to assist in achieving an improved status for Ipswich in the annual East Anglia in Bloom competition.
25
OF PLANTING THROUGHOUT THE BID ZONE
LOTS DONE I LOTS TO DO I LOTS TO LOSE
A CLEAN, SAFE AND FRIENDLY Environment ATTRACTs AND RETAINs businesses, customers, staff and students
PLACE MANAGEMENT
John matthews partner at ensors CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS PICTURED AT berridges
LIGHTING
SIGNAGE & MAPPING
FESTIVE LIGHTING
To enhance the town centre experience, and to add to an overall feeling of safety, new lighting schemes have been introduced on the Cornhill and the Waterfront, with additional structural lighting to buildings like the Town Hall, and decorative lighting to trees at locations such as Giles Circus and the Tower Ramparts plaza. At least one new lighting scheme will be selected and implemented each year.
Contributions have been made to a new directional signage scheme including a single, comprehensive mapping system. In addition, Street Rangers have distributed maps to visitors upon request.
The Christmas lights and the accompanying switch-on event have become a major attraction during this crucial trading period. A new festive lighting scheme will be provided in 2012 in conjunction with Ipswich Borough Council. This will result in a significant improvement in the appeal of the town during the Christmas period.
450 LIGHTS
(LED)
ADDED TO the waterfront AREA
26
As the new signage scheme is implemented it will be promoted and visitors will be able to download maps from the new website.
43 50% WAYFINDING SIGNS INCREASE PROVIDED FOR IPSWICH (In conjunction with ipswich borough council and other partners)
27
in pedestrian flow on ‘switch-on’ night 2010 (COMPARED to 2009)
LOTS DONE I LOTS TO DO I LOTS TO LOSE
BID RULES
In developing the rules that will apply, consideration has been given to “The Industry Criteria and Guidance Notes for BIDs” (2011) published jointly by the British Retail Consortium, the Inter Banking Rating Forum and the Federation of Small Businesses.
THE BALLOT
FINANCES
1.
1.
A cautious approach has been adopted to budgeting for the second BID term.
2.
Historic performance suggests that 98% of the billed levy will be collected each year, and this rate has been applied throughout.
2.
3.
4.
Ipswich Borough Council will send those responsible for properties or hereditaments to be subject to the new BID a ballot paper before 7th October 2011. Prior to this date, the Council will have completed a canvass process to identify a voter list which will be used for the purposes of the ballot. Each property or hereditament subject to the BID will be entitled to one vote in respect of the proposal in a 28 day postal ballot which will commence on 7th October 2011, and close at 5pm on 3rd November 2011. Ballot papers received after 5pm on 3rd November 2011 will not be counted. In order for the proposal to be successful at ballot the result will need to meet, as a minimum, two independent criteria which are: (a) of those ballots returned by the close, those voting in favour must exceed those voting against it, and (b) of those ballot papers returned by the close, the total rateable value of those properties or hereditaments which vote in favour, must exceed the total of those voting against.
5.
The result of the ballot will be announced on Friday 4th November 2011.
6.
If successful at ballot, the new BID will commence delivery of services on 1st April 2012 and will continue for a period of 5 calendar years to 31st March 2017.
YEAR
From April 2012, the levy rate to be paid by each property or hereditament is to be calculated as 1.2% of its rateable value as at the selected ‘chargeable day’ (1st April annually).
1.
The new BID will be managed by Ipswich Central Management Company Limited (the ‘Company’), a not for profit organisation, limited by guarantee.
2.
All non-domestic properties or hereditaments with a rateable value of £15,000 or more will be required to pay the levy.
2.
3.
The number of properties or hereditaments liable for the levy has decreased from approximately 765 (2011/12) to an estimated number of 620 as a result of the increase in the threshold from the historic £10,000 to the proposed £15,000.
The Forum will continue to advise on operational and service delivery issues, oversee performance measurement, and more generally act as the primary consultative and advisory body on BID services.
3.
4.
From 2013 onwards, the levy rate (1.2%) will be increased by the fixed rate of inflation of 3% per annum.
The Forum will to be made up of representatives of levy paying businesses who will be elected annually. Additional members may be co-opted, as required. Nominated representatives from Ipswich Borough Council, Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Constabulary will not be subject to the annual election process.
5.
The levy will be charged annually in advance for each chargeable period to be April to March each year, starting in 2012. No refunds will be made.
4.
Each year, the Forum members will elect a Chair, and also two other representatives, who will represent them on the Management Board.
6.
The owners of untenanted properties or hereditaments will be liable for payment of the levy.
5.
7.
Those that are within Tower Ramparts and Buttermarket shopping centres and are subject to a service charge for security and cleaning services will pay 65% of the levy that would otherwise apply.
The Management Board will continue as a nominated body and will include all Directors of the Company. It will have responsibility for financial arrangements, contractual obligations, human resources, standards and compliance, and strategic direction.
6.
Each year, the Management Board shall elect a Chair from amongst its private sector members. The Chair will be a Director of the Company.
7.
Provided that the BID is meeting its overall objectives, the Management Board, subject to full consultation with the Forum, shall have the ability to vary service delivery and expenditure allocation according to the changing demands of levy payers. However, any change to the BID boundary or to the levy rate proposals would require an alteration ballot.
8.
An Operating Agreement, which includes the Council’s baseline service statement, will be in place by commencement of the new BID term.
9.
Notice of the intention to hold a ballot was given to the Secretary of State and the required British BIDs registration form has been completed.
4.
A contingency provision on expenditure provides for an anticipated surplus of £27,944 by the end of the term.
8.
5.
During the first term, the BID had considerable success in generating additional revenue and cost reduction schemes. The additional income provision within the budget takes account of committed amounts only and totals 28% of the estimated levy to be collected.
9.
7.
Operating costs of the BID are estimated as 20% of total expenditure. There are no costs relating to the development of the new BID which will need to be repaid during the term.
TOTAL BUDGET OF
£3.76 MILLION
ONE
TWO
THREE
Levy
551,957
568,515
Additional Income
160,461
163,175
Total Income
712,418
731,690
751,541
FOUR
FIVE
TOTAL
585,571
603,138
621,232
2,930,412
165,970
168,849
171,815
830,270
771,987
793,047
3,760,682
Expenditure Operational Costs
140,000
144,200
148,526
152,982
157,571
743,279
Place Management
280,000
288,400
297,052
305,964
315,142
1,486,558
Place Marketing
285,000
293,550
302,357
311,427
320,770
1,513,104
Total Expenditure
705,000
726,150
747,935
770,373
793,484
3,742,941
7,418
5,540
3,606
1,614
28
1.
The average annual levy available to be spent by the BID for the term is £586,082.
Income
Surplus/Contingency
GOVERNANCE
3.
6.
PROJECTED BUDGET
THE LEVY
-437
17,741
Plus, RETAINED Surplus
10,203
Total Surplus
27,944
Charitable organisations that are subject to relief on their business rates liability will pay 50% of the levy that would otherwise apply. The rating revaluation proposed for 2015 will be ignored for the purposes of calculating the levy. Instead, the rateable value from that time will be defined as the rateable value assigned to a property or hereditament immediately prior to the adoption of revised 2015 Rateable Values.
10. The exception to this will be variations to rateable value due to any change of use or a physical change to a property or hereditament including inter alia; new construction, merger, subdivision, extension and refurbishment which result in the issue of a new entry (entries) in the Ratings List current at that time. The Ratings List (including the 2015 List) will be examined for new entries each year prior to the issue of levy invoices.
10. The Company will provide copies of statutory accounts and financial statements to the Billing Authority annually. 11. The Company will provide financial monitoring reports to the Billing Authority on a quarterly basis and meet with them to discuss levy collection and financial management issues.
11. If, during the term, the rateable value assigned to a property or hereditament falls below £15,000 for whatever reason (either through physical change, change of use, or revaluation arising from the adoption of the 2015 Rating List), the property or hereditament will be exempt from the levy from the next changeable period.
ADDITIONAL THRESHOLD INCOME
12. If, during the term, a property or hereditament with a rateable value which had previously been below the £15,000 threshold is assigned a rateable value which is above £15,000, the property or hereditament will not be liable for the levy unless the increase results from a change caused by the circumstances set out in Clause 10 above.
RAISED TO
28% £15,000 OF LEVY
13. Ipswich Borough Council will be responsible for collection of the levy and will make no charge for doing so.
DEFINITIONS 1.
For the purposes of definition the term ‘Renewal’, used on the front cover and elsewhere, in regard to the Ipswich BID means replacement of the existing BID at the end of its current term (March 2012) with a new arrangement covering an extended area illustrated by the ‘BID Zone’ aerial photograph (pages 12 and 13) and which will be subject to the rules and arrangements herein.
29
LOTS DONE I LOTS TO DO I LOTS TO LOSE
3
STEPS FOR
1 Five years on, Ipswich is a much better place to be, the town centre has improved immeasurably over this period. It is a brighter and safer place for my staff, largely thanks to the work of Ipswich Central. So much has been achieved and the advantages the BID brings to the town centre for our business and our staff are well worth investing in for our future in Ipswich. Without doubt we will be voting ‘yes’ for another five years.
STEVE HARDY managing director, Axa direct & CEO Swiftcover
BIDs are increasing both in number and scale across the UK because business communities are seeing the benefits they bring.
Ipswich needs the co-ordination of the BID to make sure that as a town we can achieve our collective goals in the most cost-effective way.
All towns and cities are facing a difficult future and need to be creative and entrepreneurial in how they manage themselves – the BID model allows this to happen. They give businesses the chance to decide and direct what the priorities are for them.
Without the BID, we will be hard pushed to make sure that Ipswich is seen as a great place to invest. We have great talent and a great community and the BID is the perfect vehicle to shout about this to the outside world.
With localism at the top of everyone’s agenda, BIDs are a truly effective way of delivering things that would, otherwise, simply not happen.
DR JULIE GRAIL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, BRITISH BIDS
Ballot papers will arrive to all BID Zone businesses asking them to vote On the BID.
5 MORE YEARS 2
3
Voting ‘yes’ will retain the BID for a further 5 years THROUGH to March 2017. Ballot papers must be returned by 5pm on Thursday 3rd November 2011.
If a majority ARE in favour, services will continue and the additional commitments will be guaranteed. The new term would commence IN April 2012.
Without the BID, Ipswich will go backwards - vote ‘yes’, it’s for the greater good, making Ipswich a world class town and a great place to do business.
MARK PARKER Managing Director, willis, Ipswich
excellent BID models, like Ipswich, have gone further than mere operational management. They are now fundamental to SECURING the long term strategic direction FOR their place, enticING new investment, and enhancING the experience for the consumer who must leave wanting more. Sir Stuart rose
30
31
committed to a better town centre
LOTS DONE I LOTS TO DO I LOTS TO LOSE Visit: www.voteipswich.com Email: enquiry@ipswichcentral.com Call: 0845 155 3030
Designed and produced by White Space Design (www.white-spacedesign.com)
Š All photography displayed in this publication has been commissioned by Ipswich Central and taken by Sylvaine Poitau (www.poitau.com).
This business plan has been created with support from Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk County Council.