Working in partnership
“Creating the Bath City Centre we all want” and “Bath City Conference” Success and achievements 2012 These two projects involved volunteers from local government, residents, local businesses and other key stakeholders within the city of Bath during 2012. The aim was to deliver tangible project success within twelve months. The final meeting of the project took place in December 2012 and was attended by 20 group members and senior Top POP representatives. The session enabled a review of the process and an update on progress with the projects to date. During 2012, as the project progressed three working groups were set up:
Transportation & Pedestrianisation • Street Management • Economic Vibrancy The key aim for both projects was to achieve viable outcomes within a short timescale. Part of the success of the exercise was that willing volunteers for the three groups were engaged and they felt empowered to provide solutions to the issues raised. The individual group reports, as at December 2012, are detailed in this document.
The main highlights of the projects were noted as:•
willing volunteers work best within a group of diverse representatives;
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an independent facilitator was beneficial;
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the function of the Top POP representatives (Passionate, Operationally Capable and Powerful) worked successfully in removing obstacles and negativity;
The level of engagement within the groups allowed for effective progress within the twenty key projects throughout the year.
Transportation and Pedestrianisation This was chaired by Patrick Rotherham from the Federation of Bath Residents’ Associations and they met numerous times during 2012. This group’s deliberations were submitted to Peter Dawson, B&NES Transportation Consultation and included a recommendation to pedestrianise Milsom Street. This group’s work will be presented by Peter Dawson within his final report.
Bath Business Improvement District
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01225 430 640
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info@bathbid.co.uk
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www.bathbid.co.uk
Street Management Group Throughout the year the group was tasked with looking at some on-going and challenging street management issues. These had been raised:
Street Cleansing
Agree baseline / weekly meetings
Greater co-ordination of hotspot areas
Immaculate streets that reflect our World Heritage Status
On going review
This now falls into the category of on-going management. Weekly meetings and monthly strategic meeting take place between the BID, B&NES Council and resident groups. This has proved very effective in addressing and responding to issues quickly and collaboratively. This concept should be widened to other areas as a model of engaging and resolving issues.
Street Trading
Obtain licensing buy-in
Agreed strategy
Implementation
Empty Shop standard
Planning support for delivery
To Radically improve the quality of street trading
The Bath BID met with B&NES licensing for a progress update.
Property Landlords
Widen scope to include all empty premises
Reduce eyesore of vacant property
Vacancy survey carried out by the BID. Further work with Economic vibrancy group (Ken Elliott) and landlords required to create ‘Empty Shop Standard’.
Buskers and Chuggers
Convened buskers and stakeholders
Problems solving plan
Implementation and on-going management / review
Convene busking management group
Buskers: This work has progressed well within the timeline. A new Buskers leaflet, a badge scheme and regular busker briefings, along with joint weekend stakeholder groups are being implemented. Chuggers: a new agreement has been reached.
Waste Management
BID and B&NES both carried out their own review
Increase duty of care & enforcement (on going)
Implementation of waste review action plan
Consolidation of waste review recommendations
The BID are announcing a new commercial recycling and business rubbish collection service for the city.
Banners & City Dressing
Secure planning authority
Agreed Policy
Implement Protocol
To raise the quality of city dressing
A ‘Drop in Event’ was held by B&NES Council at the Guildhall in October 2012. The planning department are leading the development of the strategy in partnership with Major Projects and Tourism Culture and Leisure. The business community are keen to engage with this both from a management perspective and commercially.
This group is planned to continue under the Bath City Conference. Volunteers are needed, if you would like to help please contact Les Redwood – E: les.redwood@bathbid.co.uk
Bath Business Improvement District
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01225 430 640
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info@bathbid.co.uk
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www.bathbid.co.uk
Economic Vibrancy Group Report – December 2012 Update Idea
Progress
Completed or Next Actions
Championing the non-profit sector a) representatives of colleges, universities, job agencies and small businesses have all been contacted and expressed interest in participating. The idea needs to be co-ordinated by one body, the proposal is currently with B&NES. b) 5 businesses canvassed, all keen to use such a site. Bath University to be approached for website design
a) Organiser needed or idea to be dropped
Promotion of CleanSlate's YES (Youth Employment Scheme) campaign
The BID circulated details of the scheme, no results thusfar. A Business Ambassador is sought
Redouble efforts including further circulation by BID, publicise testimonials and meet again with Cleanslate to understand where difficulties occurring
Raise awareness of the activities and promote successes of Bath's Social Enterprise Companies
Liaising with Economic Development Department
Further meetings sought
Council to provide Relocation 'Hosts' or 'Fixers' to assist smaller businesses set up home in Bath - emphasis on creative or technology industries
As part of the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership initiative, B&NES now have a local host Polly Tuckwell, who works within the Economic Development Dept. She is currently part-time and we have noted an action in a few months to meet with her to review whether she feels she is getting the support from other council departments and wider agencies
Completed
Bath Stats' toolkit- downloadable & customisable pages of key facts/selling points for outreach businesses such as private schools, property agents etc.
Should be available shortly via Economic Development Department - money to be allocated from LEP initiative above
Completed
Encourage quality flags/flagpoles for selected key retail streets by issuing planning guidelines on height, material, colour etc in the same way as Westminster City Council
Suggestions put forward as part of PRMS (& others) initiative consultation. Also being taken forward by the public realm group.
Clarity needed from Council
More targeted approach to the location/style of street trading in general & Christmas market in particular to help encourage footfall distribution around the city
Problems encountered in getting Christmas Market into Lower Broad St. - pedestrian priority ideas for this area will help - review to take place of the new satellite markets this year
Clarity needed from Council
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Trial & Pop-Up premises now on offer through both council estates department and private landlords - list to be published shortly. On the issue of discretionary rates we are awaiting Government proposals to give greater local discretion on collection of rates
Completed
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Landlords to set up & promote 'Trial Premises' Offices, studios & Pop up shops - greater use of discretionary rates
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Identify under-used property assets and publish merged vacancy list for both private and BANES owned properties
Awaiting response from Estates dept., BID vacancy survey now completed on a regular basis
Follow up with Estates Dept.
Meeting facilitated between Bath Business News and BID, format of report agreed - draft being produced
Completed
Free public transport, parking for selected occasions/ events for NES residents - suggested Bath Childrens Literature festival as a trial
Meeting facilitated between Bath Festivals Trust and executive from First Bus - first promotion due next year
Completed
Research scope to expand role of Discovery Card to drive commercial initiatives aimed solely at local customers
Discussed at Top POP - issues re use of Council data suggestion that it is used for commercial promotions that fall within council's aspirations whilst driving locals to use local businesses eg entitlement to discounts for stone cleaning, tree surgery, approved builders with experience in conservation work etc etc.
suggestions and response needed from Council
a) Bath Jobs Fair
01 b) Online 'matchmaking' tool for work placements/ experience between local businesses and students/ graduates
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b) EVG to follow up with university
Enabling Inward Investment
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Place Making
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Better Knowledge Shared More
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Regular Bath Business report - stats & facts & news & views - information kit - city centre healthcheck - A local version of The Times business supplement - help to inform decisions, awareness of other businesses, footfall & trading reports etc etc Inspiring the Residents
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This group is planned to continue under the Bath City Conference. Volunteers are needed, if you would like to help please contact Les Redwood – E: les.redwood@bathbid.co.uk
Bath Business Improvement District
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01225 430 640
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info@bathbid.co.uk
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www.bathbid.co.uk
www.bathcityconference.n et
The Second Bath City Conference Wednesday 1st May 2013 – 2-8 pm, The Guildhall, Bath You are invited… The Guildhall in the centre of Bath will be the venue for the Second Bath City Conference. A broad range of local businesses, community groups, charities, social enterprises and B&NES Council departments will be showcasing their products and services in The Guildhall. The aim of the day is to engage with you, the people of Bath whether you live work or visit the City; we want to discover what you think, what do you value in the city? What bothers you? What could improve? What part could you play now and in the future? The working group established at the last conference will be reporting back on their progress to date. Workshops, presentations and performances will be taking place in other areas of the Guildhall on topics as varied as transport, leisure, city centre vibrancy, sustainable development and having some fun. Towards the end of the day there will be a panel discussion in the Council Chamber chaired by Henry Brown and including Jo Farrar and Councillor Paul Crossley to debate the issues raised during the course of the day. The discussion will be available as a webcast and will be relayed throughout parts of The Guildhall. Everyone is welcome to attend during the day, there is no charge, you can drop in wander round, take part in the workshops and discussions if you wish, enjoy the performances and if you feel hungry or thirsty enjoy fresh good value tasty food and drinks in the Aix en Provence room. We are looking for volunteers for the three working groups of Economic Vibrancy, Street Management and Leisure, to help deliver projects across Bath. To find out more and receive regular updates, join www.bathcityconference.net
If you would like additional details on the progress to date of any of the issues raised in this newsletter or how to be involved in the ongoing city conference work please do not hesitate to contact:Sue Green - City Centre Better Project co-ordinator sue_green@bathnes.gov.uk Les Redwood – Business Improvement District Project Manager and contact for Economic Vibrancy and Street Management groups les.redwood@bathbid.co.uk Andrew Cooper – Business Improvement District Manager andrew.cooper@bathbid.co.uk Henry Brown – City Centre Better Residents Representative henrybrown@bethere.co.uk John Myers - Independent facilitator john@its-a-wonderful-life.com Anji Henderson - City Conference Leisure Group Chair Anji.Henderson@theatreroyal.org.uk Councillor David Dixon - Overall projects co-ordinator david_dixon@bathnes.gov.uk
Bath Business Improvement District
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01225 430 640
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info@bathbid.co.uk
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www.bathbid.co.uk