BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT Croydon BID Proposal
we’re ready to do your bidding what would you like to improve?
croydonbid.com
In February 2007 businesses will be asked to vote on whether they
want a Business Improvement District (BID) in Croydon town centre. This proposal forms the foundation of the Croydon BID, and aims to inform businesses about the benefits that can be expected from a BID in Croydon, and how it would be managed.
JOE ROWE
CHAIR’S FOREWORD
“The purpose of the Business Improvement District (BID) is to maintain and improve the competitiveness of Croydon town centre and to develop its position as a leading commercial and cultural centre in the South East. This will be achieved by delivering a series of new services, and enhancements to existing services, which businesses have indicated are necessary priorities. These improvements will run through a five year period and will not replace services currently provided by the Council. As Chair of Croydon BID, I have seen, and been a part of the hard work that is going on within Croydon Business to ensure that the BID Proposal reflects the wishes of the major business sectors in the town centre.
We want businesses to be able to take control and have a direct say and influence on creating a Croydon they can be proud of and a town that stands out among its competitors as being the place to do business.
The BID team has given every business the opportunity to identify their priorities, which feature in the formal BID Proposal. Indications are that businesses support this initiative and are prepared to fund the BID through a small levy based on the annual rateable value of each business unit. This would raise at least £5 million extra to invest in the town centre area over the five years of the BID, which, if the ballot is successful, will commence on 1st April 2007.
The notification of ballot will be sent to businesses in mid-January, followed by the ballot papers at the end of January. There is then a twenty-eight day ballot period, during which votes can be cast for the BID. The ballot closes on 28th February 2007.
The bigger the majority in the ballot, the more influential the BID can be on behalf of businesses, with agencies such as the Council. We know that Croydon town centre could be vastly improved with the right funds. We do not want businesses to miss out on this opportunity.
If there are any further questions after reading these proposals, please contact the BID team on 020 8680 6107 or visit www.croydonbid.com.”
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PROPOSAL CONTENTS 04 05 06 08 09 10 13 14 16 18 19 20 21 21 22
What is a BID? What Advantages do BIDs offer? Why Croydon? The Croydon BID Area What Businesses told us The BID Projects How will we Measure Success? Estimated Income and Expenditure BID Levy Arrangements The Ballot Collection of the Levy Management of the BID Alteration of the BID Termination of the BID Benefits to your Business Sector (Your Chance to have Your Say about Your Croydon)
24 25 26
Frequently Asked Questions Streets covered by the BID Summary of Baselines
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WHAT IS A BID? A BID is a business-led initiative within a defined commercial area. Businesses in the area are invited to come together to decide how to improve the trading environment for themselves and their employees, customers and clients. Through consultation, a range of projects and services are agreed, which are then put to a democratic vote involving all the eligible businesses in the area. It is an opportunity for businesses to become directly involved in making improvements to the local area, by working in partnership with the BID Company, the Council and other service providers such as the Police, to bring direct benefits to the defined area in which the BID operates. Business Improvement Districts are becoming a global success story – there are currently over thirty-five BIDs in operation around the country including twelve in London. Twenty-four BIDs are in town centres, just like Croydon. Others can be found in mixed-use areas and industrial estates and some focus specifically on tourism areas. Around the world, thousands of BIDs are in operation, including Canada, where they originated in the 1970s, the United States, South Africa and Australia. A Business Improvement District can only come into existence if it is approved in a ballot by businesses in that area. Of those that vote, over 50% must vote in favour by number and also by proportion of rateable value. If the businesses give this approval, the BID is funded by a compulsory ‘levy’ based on the rateable value of all eligible businesses within the BID area. After five years, the success of the BID must be reviewed and businesses will decide whether it should continue through consultation and another ballot.
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HOW A BID WORKS A BID is not part of the Council and the projects and services that a BID delivers do not replace existing Council services. Part of the role of a BID is to ensure that the Council and its contractors fulfil their contractual obligations. To achieve this, Croydon BID has been working with the Council, Police and College on a number of baseline agreements. These agreements allow businesses to be clear on what services are covered by business rates, and where the best possible standards are not being maintained, the BID Company will act on their behalf to redress the situation. Furthermore, it is important that the activities of the BID clearly add value over and above the services already provided in the area by the Council and other bodies. A summary of the baselines can be seen on page 26.
WHAT ADVANTAGES DO BIDS OFFER? BIDs operate on a basis of statutory contributions This means that all eligible businesses in the Croydon BID area are obliged to contribute to the scheme after the majority of businesses support the BID in a ballot. This means that there is no “free-loading” – everyone contributes.
BIDs are sustainable over a longer period of time Because the BID will operate over five years, we know how much income will be generated and can put appropriate short, medium and long-term projects in place. Although the BID will act to attract other funding to supplement the BID levy, there will be less reliance on public funding and sponsorship.
The BID levy can be supplemented with other funding Croydon BID will be seeking voluntary contributions from property owners and other interested businesses that would like to be involved in the BID but are not eligible levy-payers. Other public funding can also be used to supplement the levy. It is foreseen that the BID levy will lever in an extra £250,000 per year in private and public funds for specific projects. BIDs are about businesses helping each other to improve their working and trading environment. A BID is an action group, not a talking shop.
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WHY CROYDON? We have carried out various stages of consultation with businesses, at both local and head office level, to ensure that there is a need and support for a BID. In January 2006 we held a series of Visioning Workshops, in June and July we undertook a detailed ‘qualitative’ survey with a range of businesses and key stakeholders, and in September we consulted with all of the businesses that would be eligible to take part in the vote.
Footfall in 2005 was 28 million and we have seen a 6% increase in 2006 so far
Croydon is in a unique location, on an axis between central London, Gatwick International Airport, the South East, South Coast and on principal routes to mainland Europe leading to a ready access to regional, national and international markets
Croydon is home to the highly successful Clocktower complex, the famous Warehouse Theatre and the internationally renowned London Mozart Players. Croydon is one of the liveliest and best-served centres of culture in London. Fairfield Halls has a 1,750 seat concert hall and a 763 seat theatre
Croydon is the fifth biggest retail centre in London, with an annual turnover of £554 million and approximately 1.7 million sq. ft. devoted to shopping. Of the four that are larger, the West End, in central London, and Kingston town centre both have successful BIDs that have been operating for 2 years
Croydon will become the third biggest retail centre if developed as planned with an estimated annual turnover of £1,300 million
Croydon is the largest office and retail centre in the South East, excluding Central London. Many companies have placed their Headquarters in Croydon including Direct Line, Mondial, Nestle and Mott MacDonald.
Data source: GLA ECOMONICS, ‘Retail in London’, 2006 06
Croydon has many positive characteristics, including the extensive shopping offer, the excellent access via public transport and the cosmopolitan and diverse community, to name but a few. However, our consultations show that businesses and customers feel current services do not meet all of their priorities adequately. The existing town centre management scheme run by Croydon Business provides a number of services for the town centre, but it is clear that more activity is needed to ensure that Croydon maintains and improves its business competitiveness. There is no doubt that the regeneration plans for Croydon offer a promising future. Nevertheless these are plans for the future and there is need for change now. Croydon BID offers just that, an opportunity for change, an opportunity for businesses to input directly into the needs of the area and give it a new life and energy over the next five years. Without a BID, Croydon town centre will continue to lose out to its competitors and is unlikely to reach its full potential. Croydon BID will generate ring-fenced funding for the BID area alone, and businesses will have a direct say on how this funding is re-invested back into the area, in the form of security, marketing and cleansing, initiative, in addition to the activities already carried out under town centre management.
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THE CROYDON BID AREA The proposed BID is within the area denoted by the grey line, from West Croydon Station in the north, taking in Cherry Orchard Road and the NLA Tower in the east, along Park Lane to Coombe Road in the south and Charles Street and Church Street to the west. Properties that are both on the line and inside the line will be included. That is to say, where the BID boundary is drawn along a road, properties on both sides of the road are included in the area. A full list of eligible properties can be downloaded from www.croydonbid.com
1. HOME OFFICE
Train Station
2. WHITGIFT SHOPPING CENTRE 3. CENTRALE SHOPPING CENTRE
Bus Station
4. CROYDON PARISH CHURCH
Tram Stop
5. FIRE STATION 6. ALMS HOUSES
Car Parks
7. TOWN HALL 8. TABERNER HOUSE 9. COLLEGE 10. FAIRFIELD HALLS 11. POLICE STATION
WC
Toilets Walking Distance
12. N.L.A TOWER 13. LAW COURTS
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Churches
WHAT BUSINESSES TOLD US Croydon Business, as the proposer for the Croydon BID, has been consulting with businesses to identify the top priorities of businesses, through telephone conversations, face-to-face meetings, workshops and most recently, a business survey. Croydon BID wants to work with business to make Croydon a more desirable place to work, visit and be entertained. Businesses identified that the town centre has an energy and ‘spirit’ about it. These strengths should be harnessed and built upon. However, there is also room for improvement. When we consulted business on how these concerns were best addressed, the responses were:
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Ensure that visitors, customers and employees feel SAFER and business premises are more SECURE
2
Improve the PERCEPTION and IMAGE of Croydon as an area in which to invest, work and live
3
Make the working environment CLEANER and more ATTRACTIVE for visitors, whether they are shoppers, employees or office clients
4
Improve ACCESSIBILITY by promoting awareness of good transport access to the BID area and making the area easier to navigate
5
Establish one ‘port of call’, which would act as a FACILITATOR and a collective voice to identify issues and solutions for businesses and to represent them to Croydon council and other organisations
The projects and services provided by Croydon BID are laid out in this BID Proposal and address the five themes: ‘Safe & Secure’, ‘Perception & Image’, ‘Clean & Attractive’, ‘Accessible’ and ‘Facilitated’.
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THE BID PROJECTS SAFE & SECURE Budget £282,000 Croydon BID will ensure that businesses and other employers and their employees, clients and visitors feel safer when using Croydon town centre to work, visit, live and do business, both day and night.
The following pages describe the kinds of projects that the BID will aim to undertake to meet these priorities during the first year of operation:
PROJECTS Work with relevant organisations such as the Police and the Council to provide an efficient security and enforcement service to offer a reassuring presence, support and advice to businesses, shoppers and visitors, undertake workshops with businesses, gather intelligence for crime reduction initiatives and to enable services to be directed to where they are most needed. Croydon BID would co-ordinate additional security presence, which could be directed to hot-spots to create ‘Safe Passages’ for employees and clients, as identified by businesses. These patrols would also be linked into the CCTV network. Implement a ‘Retail Theft Initiative’ – a scheme that provides a quick response to petty crime within shops. A team will detain the offender, allowing the shop staff to return to work. Parents, Guardians and / or social workers will be engaged and an ‘Acceptable Behaviour Agreement’ will be drawn up in agreement with the young person in order to prevent other instances of anti-social behaviour. Work with relevant organisations to provide alternative activities for young people, rather than grouping in the town centre, particularly in the covered shopping centres, and at bus stops. Provide an ambulance service to deal with incidents of injury on Friday and Saturday evenings. Work with businesses to ‘design-out crime’, potentially through a grant scheme, by ensuring business premises are well-lit, have appropriate security measures and reducing the instances of recessed doorways, for instance. Ensure that facilities and equipment that are already provided, such as CCTV cameras, are maintained by the appropriate organisations.
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Perception & Image Budget £201,000 Croydon BID will build on the existing pride and spirit of Croydon’s diverse community, with its great office and retail environment, and work on spreading a positive image of Croydon both locally and nationally so that people feel Croydon is a place they would like to visit and spend more time in.
Clean & Attractive Budget £195,000 Croydon BID will work with the Council and other service providers to improve the cleanliness of the BID area and to make it a more attractive place in which to work, shop and do business.
PROJECTS Market Croydon as a great place to shop, work and play, through a co-ordinated marketing campaign including advertising on public transport and in the local and national media, especially during the redevelopment of certain areas of Croydon through a ‘business as usual’ campaign. Organise additional events such as festivals, Christmas events and themed markets, which are well-planned and well-promoted to benefit the town centre as a whole. Work in partnership with business and the Council to establish a co-ordinated events calendar.
PROJECTS Ensure the Council and its contractors adhere to existing contracts and performance through a monitoring group and baseline agreements. Make alleyways and main underpasses more pleasant to use by working with property owners and community organisations. Keep the streets cleaner by providing ‘deluxe’ services that the Council does not already provide, such as power washes and chewing gum removal, and by providing a ‘hot spot’ clean-up. Provide extra greening by installing additional hanging baskets and flower tubs.
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THE BID PROJECTS Accessible Budget £140,000 Croydon BID will promote awareness of the existing public transport to the town centre and make the area easier to navigate to encourage more people to visit and ensure they return to Croydon.
PROJECTS Promote awareness of accessibility to Croydon via public transport through a strong co-ordinated PR campaign. Work in partnership with other organisations to improve signage within the BID area and encourage ease of accessibility for customers and visitors. Install staffed information kiosks in key locations to assist visitors to the area. Promote awareness of potential disruptions caused by planned developments in the town centre and give alternative access options to visitors.
Facilitated Budget £49,000 Croydon BID will act as one ‘port of call’ and a collective voice to identify issues and solutions for businesses and to represent them to Croydon Council and other organisations.
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PROJECTS Provide a ‘One Stop Shop’ for businesses to resolve day-to-day issues and also to act as a strong, representative voice for the business community on local and national issues. Promote trading between businesses and build up the business community through free networking and workshops for BID levy payers. Be an effective communication channel to ensure businesses are kept informed of major town centre development plans through a property developers group and a transport planning group, to minimise disruption to businesses as the large developments planned in Croydon take place.
HOW WILL WE MEASURE SUCCESS? The projects and services would be delivered by Croydon BID, or via a third party contracted to work on behalf of the BID. Each project and service will either build on what is already provided or introduce a new service that is considered a priority by businesses. A range of input and output measures will be put in place to assess the level of progress made throughout the year. This will be reported back on a regular basis to BID levy payers.
Input measures
OUTPUT measures
Safe & Secure Number of security officers (or equivalent) Support to business through safety and security awareness campaigns Activities for young people Number of ‘design-out crime’ grants made
Perception & Image Positive press in local and national media A full marketing programme Local information panels Additional events A co-ordinated events calendar
Facilitated Regular newsletter Dedicated website E-commerce club Welcome pack for new businesses
Clean & Attractive Clean-up activities ‘Greening’ activities
Incident logs from security officers (or equivalent) Crime statistics Cleaning audits Service level agreements with Croydon Council Footfall counts Customer perception surveys
Accessible Improved signage Information kiosks Property developer group Visitor map
Business satisfaction surveys Occupancy surveys One - stop-shop enquiries
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ESTIMATED INCOME & EXPENDITURE Existing BIDs report a collection rate of between 98% and 99%. The Croydon BID estimated income and expenditure during 2007-08, have been based on an estimated 95% collection rate of the 1% BID levy. Any funds collected above this estimated recovery will be added to the flexible fund. The full BID levy arrangements can be seen on page 16. The cost of developing the BID has already been met by significant contributions from both public and private sector bodies and therefore this will not be recouped from the BID levy. Once the BID is operational, minor variations within budgets will be managed by sub-groups, major variations will be reported to the main Croydon BID Board for agreement. The Board will agree on an annual basis how funds for subsequent years will be allocated. This will be based on business feedback during the previous year and priorities for the coming year, which allows the BID the flexibility to respond to changing business needs and requirements.
OTHER INCOME Croydon Council will contribute £40,000 during the first year of the BID, in addition to its contribution via the BID levy. The BID will seek to secure voluntary contributions over the course of the BID. These may be from property owners or developers, or businesses that are not eligible for the BID levy but wish to make a contribution in order to receive some of the benefits a BID can bring. Voluntary contributions will be added to the flexible fund via a Voluntary Members Agreement. Any contributions received will be paid directly into the BID Company’s bank account. The BID levy will also make it easier to obtain other sources of public funding for specific projects and these opportunities will be pursued. Including applications for grants, and contributions for planning agreement (section 106) where appropriate, it is anticipated that these additional funds will increase the income to the BID by at least 25%.
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PROJECT
INCOME
BID levy (95% collection) Council voluntary contribution Safe & Secure Perception & Image Clean & Attractive Accessible Facilitated Flexible fund
EXPENDITURE
£1,000,000 £40,000
....... .......
....... ....... ....... ....... .......
£282,000 £201,000 £195,000 £140,000 £49,000 £30,000
....... ....... .......
£117,000 £10,000 £16,000
Management of the BID
Staffing Office costs Levy collection
TOTAL
£1,040,000
Share of expenditure across budget headings
5%
Safe & Secure
3%
1%
13% 27%
Accessible Facilitated Flexible fund Staffing
2%
11%
Perception & Image Clean & Attractive
£1,040,000
19%
19%
Office costs Levy Collection 15
BID levy arrangements The BID levy will be the principle source of income for the BID. This will be set at 1% of the rateable value of each hereditament (rateable property) within the BID area valued at ÂŁ40,000 or more.
The 1% BID levy will be applied to rateable values listed in the 2005 Ratings List as at March 2007.
The BID term would be for five years, commencing on 1st April 2007 until 31st March 2012. Before the end of this period, the BID Board may choose to seek renewal of the BID for a further term, through a renewal ballot.
Premises with a rateable value of less than ÂŁ40,000 will be exempt from paying the levy and therefore will not be eligible to vote in the ballot. Currently this means 578 rateable properties will be eligible for the vote.
Charitable status or mandatory charitable relief will not apply to the BID levy.
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The BID levy will be chargeable to the property owner where a hereditament is vacant at the start of the charging period.
The BID levy is charged on an annual basis. There will be no refund where a property enters or leaves the ratings list, or a split or merger occurs.
Businesses that begin to occupy existing hereditaments during the five-year term of the BID will be liable to pay the levy provided the hereditament remains eligible for BID membership.
The BID levy will be increased each year in line with the Retail Price Index.
How can I work out my BID levy? Simply multiply the rateable value of the business unit (based on the 2005 ratings list) by 0.01. For clarification of rateable value or potential BID levy, please contact the Croydon BID team on 020 8680 6107.
Rateable value X 0.01 = BID Levy Typical rateable value £50,000 £100,000 £300,000 £500,000 £1,000,000
Annual BID levy payment £500 £1,000 £3,000 £5,000 £10,000
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THE BALLOT From 1st to 28th February 2007 businesses will be asked to cast their vote for the BID in a formal and confidential ballot. The Council is responsible for managing and paying for the ballot, to ensure it is carried out fairly and not influenced by the BID. A ballot paper will be sent to each rateable business unit, to be completed by placing a cross in either a ‘YES’ or ‘NO’ box, as a response to the question ‘are you in favour of the Business Improvement District Proposals?’ The ballot paper should be signed by the person that completed it and returned in the pre-addressed postage-paid envelope. If a business has more than one rateable business unit it will receive a ballot paper FOR EACH UNIT. Each paper counts as one vote. It is important that EVERY paper received is completed and returned.
THE BID WILL PROCEED IF TWO TESTS ARE MET:
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1
A simple majority of those voting in the ballot must vote in favour
2
Those voting in favour must represent a majority by rateable value of the hereditaments (rateable properties)
COLLECTION OF THE LEVY If the ballot is successful, Croydon Council will issue the BID levy bills and collect the levy on behalf of Croydon BID. Funds will be transferred to the BID’s bank account under arrangements set out in the formal Operating Agreement. This agreement will be available on www.croydonbid.com. A hard copy may be requested by calling the BID team on 0208 680 6107. The levy will be held in a separate account solely for the BID. It will be collected in one instalment and due on 1st April each year. Funds that are collected over the expected collection rate will be added to the flexible fund. Enforcement where non-payment of the levy has occurred will be subject to recovery actions as defined within rating regulations - Local Government Finance Act 1988 and the Non-Domestic Rating (Collection and Enforcement) (Local Lists) Regulations 1989. Such actions include the issue of a reminder, Magistrates Court summons, collection agencies and distraint. The non-payment of the BID charge will be strongly pursued via all available enforcement options to ensure fairness to those businesses that have paid the BID levy. This will include: the preparation, issuing and serving of summonses at a cost to the BID payer; the use of bailiffs; committal action; insolvency action and County Court action. All of these actions may incur additional costs for which the BID payer will be liable.
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MANAGEMENT OF THE BID Croydon Business is the proposer for the BID, and will act as its agent. The BID will incorporate as a not-for-profit Company Limited by Guarantee. This will mean that the legal and financial liabilities of the BID Company are covered and that the BID Company will operate in a transparent way that is answerable to its constituency - the businesses eligible for the BID levy. There will be a detailed set of protocols detailing the relationship between Croydon Business and Croydon BID including a formal Operating Agreement, which covers the management of the BID and billing, collection and transfer of the BID levy. The BID Board will be responsible for the strategic management of the BID and be responsible for all decisions relating to the BID. The existing BID Board will continue whilst new Board members are being recruited and co-opted. The structure of the Board will be representative of the numbers and types of business in the BID area and will aim to maintain at least 75% levy payers, broken down as follows:
SECTOR BREAKDOWN OF THE BID AREA 7%
5% 4% 1% 1%
VOTING PLACES Retail / Shops Office Leisure / Entertainment Public & Voluntary Sector / Education Other (transport, car parks, hotels) Property Developer Property Owner Metropolitan Police Croydon Council
4 4 2 2 1 1 1 1 1
NON - VOTING PLACES Croydon Business
1
Other members may be invited onto the Board at their discretion. 20
37%
45% 19%
Retail / Shops
Leisure / Entertainment
Vacant
Office
Public / Voluntary Sector & Education
Hotel
Other
The BID will operate a series of sub-groups, also led by businesses, to manage each of the five themes. The sub-groups will be administered by the staff of the Croydon BID. In addition to this, all businesses that would be liable for the levy will be invited to become Members of the BID Company, which will entitle them to vote at the Company’s Annual General Meetings. The Chief Executive of Croydon Business and the Chair of the BID will meet on a regular basis and updates on progress and activity of the BID will be made to the Croydon Business Board by a representative of the BID Company. The BID Company will pay a management fee to Croydon Business to staff the BID appropriately. The BID Company will report results of annual auditing and its AGM to the BID Board, the Croydon Business Board, and levy payers. Minor project variations will be managed by staff and reported to the BID Board, major variations will be managed by sub-groups and referred to the BID Board for approval. The Memorandum and Articles of Association that govern Croydon BID will be available from www.croydonbid.com.
Alteration of the BID arrangements The streets and hereditaments to be included in the BID area may change due to alterations in Croydon Council’s ratings list. Hereditaments may be additionally included if their rateable value, at any time during the BID period meets or exceeds £40,000 or they are newly added to the ratings list and the rateable value threshold criteria is met. Hereditaments may also be excluded from the BID area and BID levy charge in cases where amendments are made to the ratings list and either removes hereditaments from the list or alters the rateable value to below £40,000.
BID arrangements may be altered without an alteration ballot as long as there is no proposal to alter: The geographical area of the BID The BID levy in such a way that would: i)
cause any person to be liable to pay the BID levy who was not previously liable to pay; or ii) increase the BID levy for any person other than for inflation purposes, as mentioned above.
Termination of the BID Croydon Council may terminate the BID if: In the Council’s opinion, the BID has insufficient finances. Before this happens, however, the Council must offer the BID body a reasonable opportunity to arrange for financing the shortfall or for a reduction in the works or services which is sufficient to offset the shortfall. In addition, the Council must give those businesses that are liable for the BID levy an opportunity, at a public meeting, to make representations in relation to the termination of the BID arrangements. The Council is unable, due to any cause beyond its control, to provide works or services which are necessary for the BID to continue and the authority has consulted the BID and conducted a consultation with such representatives of the business community for the BID area as the authority considers appropriate. Croydon BID may terminate the BID arrangements if: The works or services to be provided are no longer required; It is unable, due to any cause beyond its control, to provide works or services which are necessary for the BID to continue. 21
YOUR CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR SAY ABOUT YOUR CROYDON Vote for improvements 1st – 28th February 2007 Benefits for the office sector Offices in the Croydon BID area will benefit from: An improved working environment, which will increase business ability to recruit and retain quality staff and in turn, minimise loss of expertise. A reduction in staff turnover, to deliver an improved bottom line. Improved perception by clients of business, due to a more positive experience in, and perception of Croydon
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Benefits for the retail sector Retailers in the Croydon BID area will benefit from: An increase in footfall as a direct result of an improved business environment. Additional consumer spend and retail sales leading to increased profit. A reduction in retail crime and stock loss through additional focus on safety and security.
A strong voice on issues that matter to businesses.
A safer and more attractive environment in the shopping areas of Croydon.
A reduction in business crime.
Sustained investment over a five year period.
Benefits for the leisure sector Leisure operators in the Croydon BID area will benefit from: A safer and more secure environment for customers. A more accessible location as marketing and promotion projects gather momentum. A co-ordinated events programme to ensure there is always something to see in Croydon.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What do business rates cover? Business rates are a national tax that is collected by the Council and then redistributed at a national level. The Council’s income is spent throughout the borough on statutory and discretionary services (as detailed on page 26) for residents and businesses. Businesses have very little say in the way the funds are spent. The great thing about a BID is that the level of investment via the BID levy has been set by businesses, through a series of consultations. The money is kept locally, and spent locally, for the benefit of the local area. The BID levy is nothing to do with business rates. It is based on 1% of the rateable value of the business unit (hereditament) and is an investment in the town centre. The funds collected through the BID levy will be kept in a separate BID bank account, held by the BID Company. The income from the levy, and from extra funds attracted, will be used to fund local activities and services, as decided by businesses.
Will rents & rates increase? The area as a whole needs better promotion and a better image. The BID will aim to increase trade, footfall and spend per visitor to make rents and rates more affordable. Other areas that have BIDs have experienced a reduction in retail crime and stock loss, which has had a positive impact on the bottom line. Insurance premiums in other BID areas have already decreased as insurance companies recognise the drop in crime that additional security staff bring, for example. In addition, a more pleasant experience in Croydon will mean staff retention will improve and therefore reducing recruitment costs.
How will the public sector & charities benefit? The BID levy is not a tax, like rates, it will improve the area for staff and visitors. Big businesses will be paying more than small businesses, since the levy is relative to the size and location of the business.
Why are businesses under ÂŁ40,000 exempt? We recognise the impact of the levy on a small business. The cost of collecting the levy from smaller businesses outweighs the income generated from them. It also means that the number of businesses is reduced, meaning that we can communicate with eligible businesses more effectively. Businesses that do not pay, do not get a vote, although they can make voluntary contributions if they wish.
What benefits will shopping-centre tenants receive? We firmly believe that the BID will benefit all sectors and this is reflected in the projects that we aim to deliver. Visitors arrive from the stations and car parks and walk through the streets to get to the shopping centres. Safer and cleaner streets and better signage will mean that they enjoy their experience of Croydon much more. The BID will work with youth organisations and the College to undertake projects designed to engage young people in meaningful activities that are not detrimental to the town centre. The BID will be able to promote the whole town centre and will work towards ensuring it has a better image. The Retail Theft Initiative will really benefit businesses within the shopping-centres, by freeing up their staff to continue serving customers and running the shop. 24
Streets covered by the BID The following streets are in the BID area, either in whole or in part. A full list is available from www.croydonbid.com
A B
C
Addiscombe Road (Up to 28)
Altyre Road Barclay Road Bedford Park Bedford Place Bell Hill Billington Hill, Station Road (East Croydon)
G H I K L
Charles Street Cherry Orchard Road
(Up to 37)
D E F
Crown Hill Dingwall Avenue Dingwall Road Drummond Road Edridge Road Fairfield Road Fell Road
R S
Surrey Street Sydenham Road
(Up to 45)
(Up to 42)
M N O P
(Up to 19)
V W
(West Croydon)
(2-20 and 1-61)
Lower Coombe Street London Road
Pump Pail North Pump Pail South Reeves Corner Robert Street Scarbrook Road St Michaels Road Station Road
Laud Street
(Up to 60)
Church Road Church Street Cobblestone Place College Road Coombe Road
Frith Road George Street Hazledene Road High Street Innes Yard Katharine Street Keeley Road Lansdowne Road
(Up to St Mary’s Primary School & 16, The Bedford Tavern)
T
Tamworth Place
Tamworth Road Thanet Place The Croydon Flyover Viceroy Court Walpole Road Wandle Road (Up to 62)
Wellesley Court Road Wellesley Grove Wellesley Road (Up to the junction with Station Rd, including Prospect West)
Whitgift Centre Whitgift Street
Masons Avenue Middle Street Mint Walk North End Old Palace Road (Up to 1A)
Oriel Court Overton’s Yard Park Lane Park Street Poplar Walk Priddys Yard 25
Summary of baselines Regular monitoring and evaluation of the standards within the BID area will ensure that the services provided by public agencies, including the Council are up to the standards and requirements set out in the Baseline and Operating Agreements. The Baselines also ensure the services directly delivered by the BID Company are an efficient, effective and productive investment of the BID income. To this end, annual reviews and surveys and independent status reports on the services will be provided, and their contribution to achieving Croydon BIDs objectives and the impact they have had on businesses, workers, residents and visitors of the Croydon BID area will be assessed. The following baselines have been drawn up in partnership with Croydon Council, the Police and Croydon College: BA1
Trading Standards
The Council makes provision for a fair and safe trading environment including providing the following services: Limited advice on trading standards Assisting new businesses Guidance on legislation
BA2
Licensing
The Council licences a number of activities, premises and people throughout the borough
BA3
Community Safety
The Council has a statutory duty to work with the Police to reduce crime and disorder, promote community safety and deliver the aims of the Crime Reduction Strategy with all its relevant partners. The Safer Croydon Partnership is the statutory body responsibly for co-ordination and delivering strategy outcomes. The Council’s Community Protection Team are the main operational team and include: CCTV network Noise pollution Reducing anti-social behaviour
BA4
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Risk assessment Protection from unfair competition
Public Car Parking & Parking Traffic Enforcement
Community safety projects Mobile enforcement unit Street wardens
The Council is responsible for: The management of all maintenance, cleansing, parking and customer care related issues associated with Council-owned car parks The investigation, review, design, implementation or amendment of parking controls
BA5
BA6
Closed Circuit Television
The Council operates two major services:
Street Trees, Public Parks & Green Space
The Council is responsible for carrying out horticultural and arboricultural maintenance on Council-owned sites within the area, including:
CCTV cameras on behalf of Transport for London (traffic enforcement and offences) CCTV surveillance to monitor crime and anti-social behaviour in conjunction with the Police and other partners
Design and installation of hanging and barrier baskets Technical advice on horticultural and arboricultural matters
BA7
Festivals & Events
The Croydon Clocktower offers a range of projects and events within the museum and the arts
BA8
Street Cleansing, Graffiti & Litter Removal
The Council provides a regular programme of street cleansing, litter bin emptying and a graffiti removal service. The street cleansing service includes: Cleansing pavements and kerbside channels Cleansing surface water drainage gullies Washing pavements beneath bridges Emptying litter bins
Removal of dog fouling Removal of dead animals Removal of fallen leaves Weed control
The graffiti service is available for the removal of non-offensive and also sexist / racist / homophobic graffiti from both small and large businesses within the town centre.
BA9
Refuse Collection & Recycling
The Council provides information to non-domestic ratepayers and businesses on the options available to them for the removal of their trade waste and / or recycling. Each non-domestic ratepayer must engage on an individual basis and arrange with a licensed waste carrier for the services they require for the removal of their waste.
BA10
BA11
Planning & Transportation
The Council is responsible for all aspects of planning including:
Street Lighting
The Council provides a range of street lighting in the town centre including period style lights, old orange style lights, new white lighting, and wall lights. The Council service includes:
Planning control Building control Engineering and project co-ordination Traffic, transport and road safety Urban design
Policy and strategy Services development Environmental sustainability Major developments
Maintenance of street lights, illuminated bollards, signs and beacons Design and implementation of new lighting schemes Technical advice on street and exterior lighting Repairing lighting faults
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BA12
BA13
Street Furniture & Signage
The Council maintains and replaces where necessary, street furniture and signage including:
Highways Maintenance
The Council is responsible for maintenance of the public highway. This includes:
Maintenance and cleansing of litterbins and seating Repair to damaged signs and provision of new signs as directed by Acts of Parliament
Carriageways Footways Trees and verges
BA14
Nuisance / Abandoned Vehicles
The Council has responsibility for the management of the removal of all nuisance vehicles from all adopted highways, Council managed car parks and private lands
BA15
Tourist Information
The Council provides a tourist information service providing tourist information, a website, and ticket and transport information
BA16
Public Conveniences
The Council is responsible for the Public Convenience in Fell Road
BA17
Town Centre Management
The Council funds a Town Centre Management scheme within the BID area. This service is currently run by Croydon Business and deals with the promotion of the town centre, the management of day-to-day operations and the delivery of the BID
BA18
Metropolitan Police
The Police offer business: A dedicated Town Centre Unit (TCU), which offers businesses a single point of contact, as well as response team patrols on a 24/7 basis A Uniformed Tasking Unit and Special Constabulary, which joins the TCU and response team patrols for night-time patrols, which benefit the night-time economy A licensing unit that offers special advice and support for the night-time economy CID and specialist departments, which investigate serious crime Crime Prevention Officers, who are experts in their field who can visit businesses to offer advice and expertise A close working relationship with Council CCTV operatives, with direct radio link A partnership approach with involvement in many town centre groups
BA19
Croydon College
The College offers business: A training needs analysis assessment and the design of an employee development plan for each employer Training in the following skills: retail, customer service, hospitality, financial management and accounting, purchasing and supply, basic skills classes Customised training Support in the recruitment of prospective employees from successful students A fuller description of the baseline information is available at www.croydonbid.com
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vote ‘YES’ for YOUR BID
CONTACTS You can contact any of the BID team with comments or questions via phone or email below: Ros Morgan BID and Town Centre Ops Manager 020 8680 6106 rmorgan@croydonbusiness.com
key dates 31st Jan 07
Distribution of ballot papers
1st Feb 07
First day of the 28 day ballot period
28th Feb 07
Ballot day (last day of the ballot period)
2nd Mar 07
Ballot result announced
1st Apr 07
Maria Chapman BIDs Project Manager 020 8680 6107 maria.chapman@croydonbid.com
Georgina Dawkins Consultant BID Project Manager 020 8686 8012 georgina.dawkins@croydonbid.com
Formal BID start date
SUPPORT The BID has been developed with support from the following businesses within Croydon: Allders
Minerva
BT
Southern
Centrale
Stanhope
Clydesdale Bank
Stiles Harold Williams
Croydon Council
Whitgift Centre
Erinaceous Howard Holdings
Croydon Business is a borough-wide private-sector organisation that has been managing the town centre through a voluntary scheme. www.croydonbusiness.com
what would you like to improve? croydonbid.com