2014 - 2019
www.roystonfirst.com
2 Royston First | Renewal Ballot Prospectus | 2014-2019
Achievements in Term One
How did we do?
Projects in 2009 prospectus
1st BID Term 2009 to 2014
Angel Pavement refurbishment
DELIVERED
Free-After-3 parking scheme
DELIVERED
Industrial Estate shuttle bus
DELIVERED
Royston Picture Palace - build
DELIVERED
Royston Picture Palace - ongoing support
ONGOING
Operation Artemis policing
DELIVERED
Pigeon control
DELIVERED
Youth projects
ONGOING
Scratchcard parking scheme
DELIVERED
Christmas lights
DELIVERED
Royston 'Focus' 15,000 circulation business listing
DELIVERED
ANPR cameras
DELIVERED
Signage
DELIVERED
Dressing empty shop windows
DELIVERED
Incentivising new retailers
DELIVERED
Event support
DELIVERED
Gateway signage Visitor Information Centre Town 'App' Cinema 'shorts' publicising businesses in cinema
info@roystonfirst.com
UNDER DISCUSSION IN PIPELINE UNDER DISCUSSION IN PIPELINE
Royston First | Renewal Ballot Prospectus | 2014-2019 3
Term Two? It’s up to you... Activities for 2014 to 2019 if you vote
Activities for 2014 to 2019 if you vote
‘YES‘
‘NO‘
Scratchcard parking scheme extended
ANPR cameras
Event support increased
? Gateway signage
Free-After-3 parking scheme sustained
? Free-After-3 parking scheme
Operation Artemis policing continues
? Christmas Lights installed
Royston Picture Palace maintained ANPR cameras adapted to meet new guidelines Pigeon control maintained Drive for new investment and businesses A ‘Big Win’ initiated, perhaps a splashpool in the park
Christmas lights installed and improved Better employee car parking Gateway signage increased Signage modernised and extended Dressing empty shop windows Visitor Information Centre supported Additional Cinema 'shorts' Town 'App' and website developed and promoted Increased security for small businesses Regular ‘deep cleans’ Retail Academy Business to business hub Improve and to add to markets Royston Focus new editions distributed
www.roystonfirst.com
4 Royston First | Renewal Ballot Prospectus | 2014-2019
CONTENTS 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 16 17 17 18 18 19 20 20 20
Achievements in Term One Term Two? It’s up to you... A message from the Chairman Why a BID? Why keep the BID going? Business as usual Business as usual (continued) Business as usual (continued) Town development Marketing, promotion and events Supporting local businesses (and the ‘Big Win’) Key aims - who benefits? Income and expenditure The BID area Levy arrangements and a typical contributions table The ballot process Monitoring, KPIs and communications Board structure, staffing and management of the BID Risk analysis and Royston without a BID A message from the Royston Town Mayor The Royston First BID renewal team Members of the Royston First Advisory Council The timetable
info@roystonfirst.com
Royston First | Renewal Ballot Prospectus | 2014-2019 5
A message from the Chairman:
ss mandate to on to you all! of the busine g as in se w e ne th re of e ur of th small, local or Compliments to vote in favo l. Businesses here, large or d ke as be ill us al ew Year you w r the benefit of . Early in the N D operating fo es’ BI ‘Y t y rs sa Fi to have all the n ce to keep Roys d ensure they te, one chan an vo e te ill vo on is st th ju ve d to cast the levy bill w national will ha sation is entitle out a ‘Yes’ vote ni ith ga W or ill n. w to ur re ys yo tu in for Ro n’s fu you know who sitive decision behalf. The tow Please ensure ake this vital, po tackles on your Westminster. m D m to BI fro e ed th re ne su at ey es th th k pr n or g io w in at nd od rm fu go fo g in l the easin ey that so does al under ever-incr company mon stop and with thority that is au l ca lo a t my time and ith w en om ly fr sp r le ve so be ha m st I re nu n, tow then well a leaders in the cal people as sure we have other business ort of many lo y D, we can be pp an BI su m e e th ith th g w ys in jo in ta en Along re D BI of e ur Th g in favo ton First. here. By votin all. backing Roys ns that trade challenge us tio ill sa st ni a newly reat ga th or l es su is e nationa th ity cinema in of un y m an m m the co a to : n rm tio crime stats in e year te a unique solu of the lowest in our first fiv s e . se m ns es so oo e cc rn ev su te hi g af in the late s helped ac e outstandin y ha m pt at so em th d g ly ha in sh us ve lic io ca We’ k in prev ed po rks that were g of over £300 n Hall; enhanc hich fills car pa atched-fundin furbished Tow w m g g in rin rk cu pa se -3 in fter sful country; Free-A ve been succes of new e BID team ha th , lly na tio cant number . di rm Ad osing a signifi e first BID te term op th st pr er fir e e ov ar th e es w ic and serv n exercise ccesses from tio su ta e ul th ns of co tu ns g ngin lose impe s. continuatio ded a wide-ra ve the cinema y of these are ha an or pt to M . up Having conclu 19 ck 20 we will attem ls creep ba r delivery by itiatives where let crime leve in t g no in Propositions fo rk to of e pa ed e us in ider ch as th e determ ployees and w schemes – su -to... where we ar parking for em ns to existing d the business io ed an is ns y id pa bs em ex su ad e s, ar ac ur il are all ta ho re g ey Others e in th th rk – , pa nal free for instance in common tio – g di in w ad th ne e e y uc el on et od ve intr compl ever, ha And some are initiatives, how scratchcards. rial estate. All yston. st Ro du in of e t th en on it out now! improvem d ue business hub in nt co please, check e th So n n. ai io nt at ai m rm at e info designed to tick the box th s you lots mor make sure you eat future. nfirst.com give d to ys an .ro as w tm w ris w a gr after Ch Our website ise, a town with be in the post ith great prom pers that will w pa n t w llo to ba a e n, th to Look out for and safer Roys better, brighter says ‘Yes’ to a
ell
David Campb
ell David Campb mpany Ltd ton First BID Co ys e Ro , an Chairm s m ies or would lik te ys , TAP Bios have any quer or u ct yo ire . if D am e 42 te nc 82 al Fina new 763 87 ton First BID re e to phone 01 please feel fre any of the Roys e, or os e cl m ry ith ve w g s ar PS: With votin another five ye ing the BID to to discuss help
www.roystonfirst.com
6 Royston First | Renewal Ballot Prospectus | 2014-2019
Why a BID? BIDs are the fastest growing partnership framework we have seen for decades in the UK. Quite simply a BID is a geographically defined area where businesses pay into a collective kitty to pay for additional services that they feel will benefit them and the local community. Each business pays in according to its size (by Rateable Value: RV) and ALL the money collected goes to buying the extras determined by common consent. The process is managed by the businesses themselves and lasts for up to five years. Royston has had a BID since 2009 but its first term is due to finish next year, in March 2014.
Research to date and the overall conclusions From answers received from business levy payers (representing over 3,000 employees): • Rising business costs are viewed as the greatest challenge to future profitability • +56% feel that Royston has remained the same or has improved as a place to conduct business in the last four years, since the BID was introduced …. and from Royston users: • 87% visit once a week or more frequently but stay less than two hours in total • 50% come to town by car….but a fifth of them still find parking less than easy
77%
+
HAVE SEEN TRADE REMAIN CONSTANT OR IMPROVED OVER THE PAST YEAR
• 80% feel that the town's commercial offer is disappointingly poor • 94% like the market but would prefer it to trade for longer and more frequently • Cambridge, Stevenage and Letchworth are the principal competitors • The park and the friendliness of the people are Royston's key strengths • 55% would spend more time and money in the town if the shopping offer was better
EXPECT TRADE TO REMAIN THE SAME OR INCREASE IN THE COMING YEAR
94%
+
The results of our research prompted us to come up with the following prioritised actions we plan to tackle over the next five years: • Business as usual….the current BID activities that must continue (they would disappear if a 'No' vote is the result of the forthcoming renewal ballot) • Making sure Royston remains the focus for its local community • Supporting local businesses….more activities we can do together to help • Making more of marketing, promotion and events • Choosing and delivering another ‘Big Win’
info@roystonfirst.com
Royston First | Renewal Ballot Prospectus | 2014-2019 7
Why keep the BID going? The Town Centre needs to hold its own in the face of a national decline in retail sales. As we have proved over the last four years, together we are strong and can sustain a collective fight back. With a “yes” vote, we will see more than one million pounds of additional investment brought into Royston. Our Industrial Estate is in robust health with new businesses choosing it for their regional base alongside international “names”. We must continue to ensure that it is seen as an attractive location to invest in, especially from the security angle. Promoting the area’s successes more extensively will support the wider town and community.
The Police Sergeant
The MP
“ I supported the Business Improvement District legislation when it was brought in front of Parliament in 2003 and was subsequently pleased to see it enacted in my home town. Since the 2009 launch, I’ve followed the work of the Royston First BID and have been impressed by the scope of the projects delivered. I am convinced that renewal for a further five year term is an important way forward for our town and I commend the BID to the voting businesses.”
The Business owner
“ I have been the Sergeant at Royston for over four years and during that time I have worked closely with Royston First on a number of projects. It has been an excellent partnership which has proved immensely successful in reducing crime and disorder around the town. In each of these four years the crime rate in Royston and villages has fallen - from over 1,000 crimes to less than 600 forecast for this year and this is in no small part due to our work with Royston First. Initiatives such as the Royston First-funded ANPR system and our extra police patrols (Operation Artemis) have both played a huge part in this reduction.
“ Royston First has greatly benefited our business, not least in the increased security and police presence on the industrial estate, both of which have had a noticeable effect. The various parking schemes have made it easier for our employees to park in Royston, and we have increased our use of local suppliers based in the Town Centre as a result. We are looking forward to working together on the Visitor Information Centre.”
Royston is very much the better for Royston First’s funding of, and collaboration with, our local police work.”
www.roystonfirst.com
8 Royston First | Renewal Ballot Prospectus | 2014-2019
Business as usual The next six pages detail the proposals from Royston First for the BID's activity programme covering the period April 2014 to March 2019.
Security 1. Operation Artemis With Royston First funding, Hertfordshire Constabulary have mounted two-man, late night, weekend uniformed patrols. Commencing in the parks to curb youth offending, they then patrol the industrial areas and pubs/clubs throughout the town. At closing time they maintain a visible presence in the Town Centre and patrol recognised routes home.
2. ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) After working quietly in the background for a couple of years, Royston’s ‘Ring-of-Steel’ drew unwelcome national attention when the ICO labelled the scheme as ‘disproportionate’ – basically it’s working too well! Although no business protected by the cameras has complained, it is likely that the grip will be loosened slightly. However, our town will remain protected.
Parking 3. Scratchcards
Crime figures in Royston have fallen steadily over the past four years ... a fact which the police attribute in no small part to the patrols funded by the BID:
Parking scratchcards offer one hour’s free parking in any of the Town Centre car parks. These cards are issued to any of the businesses in the industrial areas to encourage employees to run errands and shop in the Town Centre.
Reported Criminal Acts
4. Free-After-3
2009/10
653
2010/11
574
2011/12
583
2012/13
491
In combination with our District and County councillors, Royston First has acquired parking privileges from NHDC allowing all parking in the Town Centre car parks to be free-ofcharge after 3pm.The impact of this initiative has been impressive. Designed to entice parents on the school run into town after picking up their children, the car parks have been transformed from empty to full in the late afternoon. A more subtle impact has been that parking as an issue has moved off the top of the “problem” rankings.
Reported incidents of ASB 2009/10
Data not available
2010/11
680
2011/12
527
2012/13
356
Jenny Mica Hardware
Reported Criminal Damage 2009/10
181
2010/11
158
2011/12
127
2012/13
102
“ The "Free-After-3" parking has certainly been hugely beneficial to us. We have had to maintain full staff levels all day because customers continue to visit the shop right up to closing time.”
info@roystonfirst.com
Royston First | Renewal Ballot Prospectus | 2014-2019 9
Information and Events 5. Royston Focus Over the past three years we have produced a number of editions of Royston Focus - an A3, 4-sided, glossy information sheet that is circulated to 15,000 households with details of new public-facing businesses in Royston. The publication features maps of key areas and a listing with contact details and coordinates of all relevant businesses.
6. Events We run half-a-dozen events per year such as the Christmas Carnival and the Easter Chocolate Trail.There are others we assist with such as the May Fayre, and yet more where we provide essential sponsorship (The Arts Festival, Open Secrets and various events organised by Royston Means Business).
7. Visitor Information Centre It is intended that a dedicated Visitor Information Centre be opened to maximise 'tourism' potential from attractions such as the Royston Cave, the Royston Museum and nearby historical artefacts on the Heath. We would like to be in a position to underwrite this project until at least 2016.
8. Town gateways Royston First is looking to support and enhance the digital signage scheme proposed by Hertfordshire Highways. Discussions continue but currently we are pushing for a trial installation this year before a full run out in the second term of the BID.
9. Town app A specification has been issued to create a town 'App' based around the Royston Trail. We hope to deliver this before March next year and expand it further subsequently.
10. Cinema It has been a huge achievement to deliver a state-of-the-art cinema into the centre of Royston - bringing 5-6,000 people into town over a year. All that spend staying in town on a weekend is good news ... and employees of Royston businesses have more for themselves and their families to do locally.
Tony M-Viron
“ Royston First has supported various events in Royston that have had a positive impact on local businesses and attracted shoppers into the town centre. I am involved with Royston Open Secrets which, with support funding from Royston First, attracted over 2000 people in 2013. Royston Means Business are also running events which without Royston First’s support simply could not go ahead.”
www.roystonfirst.com
10 Royston First | Renewal Ballot Prospectus | 2014-2019
Town Centre 11. Empty shop windows In years one and two of the first BID term, Royston First invested money in dressing the windows of vacant units in the High Street and Angel Pavement. As we come to a second phase of window dressing, all but two of the original premises have been occupied. The new dressing will display 3-D renderings of the shops behind as part of our work to attract new tenants into prime units.
Kim Hush Skin & Beauty
12. Pigeons The mighty ‘Royston Flock’ continues to wheel above the town. Many and various methods have been tested in order to control numbers. In the face of legal challenges to culling, we have opted for a policy of moving the birds away from street edge locations and limiting their roosts using a combination of spikes, wires, netting and fire gel (a substance that dissuades pigeons from settling).
info@roystonfirst.com
“ We have seen Royston improve in the last four years since the BID started. The projects that have helped our business are the town events supported by Royston First, particularly the development of the new cinema and free parking schemes.”
Royston First | Renewal Ballot Prospectus | 2014-2019 11
Town development 13. The charter market
16. Cleaning
During 2013 Royston Town Council took over the lease for the market square in order to run the market and parking. Royston First anticipates that the market will continue to evolve and intends to assist with possible additions e.g. visiting markets during the summer.
Not something that was included in the first BID term, deep cleaning of pavements is proposed at regular intervals during the second term.
14. Retail academy We intend that expertise will be brought-in to offer a visiting retail training facility. It is envisaged that this will provide a retail training module looking at merchandising with marketing, window display and customer handling. We are also proposing a separate retail technology module looking at using the Internet and web-building skills for retailers.
15. Christmas lights Over recent years our Christmas lights have been expanded and enhanced. However, the infrastructure that supports them requires upgrading and made more “environmentally friendly”. Although impacting rather less than most of our planned activities, this essential work must be tackled over the next five years.
17. Gateways & signage During a second BID term, it is anticipated that Royston First will work together with Hertfordshire Highways to deliver digital information signs at all major entrances to Royston and digital parking information signs further inside the town. In addition, we will focus on better local signage, directing visitors to areas of particular interest.
Rick TAP Biosystems
“ The BID has been a huge success and the flagship projects - for example the cinema, crime reduction measures, town centre improvements – have been applauded. I have also been impressed with how imaginatively the BID has tried to deliver benefits across the town and the industrial park. Everyone knows about the successful work the BID has done to ease parking in the town (Free-After-3, extra parking slots). Alongside that, the BID has been issuing free Town Centre parking tickets for people working in the industrial park. A lot of the employees at my company have taken advantage of this and it helps retailers in the town centre as well. This is a good example of how the BID has delivered effective, targeted measures to really help Royston thrive. I fervently hope the BID is given a further opportunity to carry on this good work.” © Photo courtesy of the Royston Crow
www.roystonfirst.com
12 Royston First | Renewal Ballot Prospectus | 2014-2019
Marketing, promotion and events We want to increase Royston's profile wherever and whenever possible. 18. Visitor Information Centre We would like to expand the centre's role to actively promoting the town and it's attractions to a wider audience, hosting visitor events on a regular basis as a draw.
19. Cave DVD, town 'app' We will engage a professional PR agency to publicise and distribute these 'digital brochures' as widely as possible in order to bring additional footfall to the town.
Alice Great Fit
“ At first I was sceptical about the BID Levy, it was just another business expense but since we started Royston Means Business and have seen how some of the money has been spent, I can see the value that the scheme has. One thing is for certain, if the BID didn't exist we would find it extremely hard to run any events in Royston and we would face years without improvements to the town centre. Because the money is ring-fenced for our town and to improve doing business in our town, we know it won't get swallowed up by other budgets - it really is there for us.”
info@roystonfirst.com
20. Cinema shorts We will extend the scope of bespoke filming to as many business sectors as possible within the town. This will allow local companies to advertise themselves to audiences created by the re-establishment of a cinema in Royston.
21. Events Royston First aims to add at least one more major annual event to Royston's calendar. High on the list currently would be some form of food festival ... but detailed discussions can't begin until the second BID term.
Ben The Old Bull Inn
“ We are supporting Royston First because we can see how continuing and extended projects such as the cinema and advertising shorts can increase footfall in Royston – which can only be good for our hotel business and the town as a whole.”
Royston First | Renewal Ballot Prospectus | 2014-2019 13
Supporting local businesses (and the ‘Big Win’) 22. Business-to-business hub networking and information exchange Royston First will undertake to build and maintain a Royston businesses web site, featuring: Rolling banner advertising
24. Employee parking Royston First will attempt to negotiate bulk parking rates with NHDC on the basis of filling spare parking capacity ... particularly in the Town Hall car park. This will enable employers to offer their staff an extra perk and/or reduce their current costs.
Business descriptions and products
25. Extend parking scratchcard scheme
Hyperlinks to existing business websites
Very popular with the companies that use it, we will seek to improve the parking scratchcard scheme during our second term and increase the number of companies adopting it.
Skills availability Job availability
26. The next ‘Big Win’
On-line offers Bulk purchase opportunities, including waste disposal and recycling An employment law helpline Security links
Following the success of the Royston Picture Palace, we want to either assist with a revamp of the High Street, or perhaps participate in the installation of a Splash Park and water play area. We have costed-in one of these schemes but may be able to do more if we can leverage more funding from other sources, as we did with the cinema.
23. Industrial estate security Assuming the ICO delivers on its promises to create gaps in our ANPR coverage, we propose that a 'scan-and-display' system, (where a vehicles number is displayed as it passes), will be installed at the entrances to the main industrial estate (our most vulnerable area).
Denise Hardcastle Burton
“ We are excited about the prospect of a second Royston BID term because the planned new projects will directly benefit our business and the wider Royston community. We particularly look forward to the new business hub and to improved parking arrangements.”
Jenny Schoolyard
“ We were extremely pleased to read about the further security measures being planned by Royston First. We also benefited directly from the opening of the cinema. That’s why we are supporting the BID renewal.”
www.roystonfirst.com
14 Royston First | Renewal Ballot Prospectus | 2014-2019
Key aims - who benefits? By working closely with our partners from North Hertfordshire District Council, Royston Town Council Hertfordshire Highways, The Trustees of The Royston Cave, Royston Museum and Hertfordshire Police, we aim to:
Aims:
Benefits:
Grow the economic health and well-being of the whole town
The benefits that the BID will bring to the town are:
Continue to improve community facilities and social cohesion Maintain the perception of safety across the entire town Increase and promote local businesses and the standards they trade by Increase the involvement of businesses in the broader, local community Work smarter with other organisations that are dedicated to raising the profile and appeal of Royston
Mat Ad Hoc
To the corporate sector 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, giving an improved bottom line Continued low levels of criminal damage to property, both company and private Improved perception by clients following a more positive experience in Royston A strong, collective voice on key issues for businesses
To retail and professional services sector A positive impact on footfall as a direct result of an improved business environment A reduction in retail crime and stock loss via our safety and security actions Longer dwell-time leading to increased visitor spend (which our surveys suggest has dropped over recent years) A safer and more attractive shopping environment which will optimise our chances of attracting new businesses to the town centre Sustained investment over a five-year period
“ As the owner of two businesses in Royston, I can say without any doubt that Royston First has directly benefited us. Their support (with Royston Means Business) for Ad Hoc’s Summer Rock event dramatically increased footfall into the town centre. We want to see a second BID term and look forward to working with Royston First on future events.�
To the community A safer and more secure environment for residents and visitors Marketing and promotion projects will raise profile and footfall More activities and amenities to engage and entertain Better employment prospects for local workers Greater civic pride and taking pleasure from an attractive, green environment Family costs reduced by having to travel less for shopping, or using amenities (e.g. the cinema)
info@roystonfirst.com
Royston First | Renewal Ballot Prospectus | 2014-2019 15
Income and expenditure Projected income for the period 2014 to 2019 Year One
Year Two*
Year Three
Year Four
Year Five
Total
Levy receipts
175,500
180,750
186,250
191,750
197,500
931,750
Earned income
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
8,000
26,000
Total
178,500
184,750
191,250
197,750
205,500
957,750
Anticipated expenditure for the second term of Royston First BID projects
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Five-year total
Business as usual
69,000
70,000
61,000
62,000
63,000
325,000
Marketing, promotion and events
35,000
36,000
37,500
39,000
41,000
188,500
Town development
15,000
15,000
16,000
16,000
17,000
79,000
Supporting local businesses
25,000
25,000
30,000
30,000
30,000
140,000
Major project support (the ‘Big Win’)
5,000
8,000
15000
18,000
20,000
66,000
Overheads and contingency
29,500
30,700
31,700
32,800
34,500
159,200
Total
178,500
184,700
191,200
197,800
205,500
957,700
Notes on the accounts: These budgets are for illustration only. There are several factors that will influence the precise amounts collected and spent. However the BID board will not spend money it simply has not got
John Johnson Matthey
1. *A typical inflation figure of +3% has been added to the income each year. The precise rate will vary. +3% on a typical levy payment of £250 a year adds an additional £7.50 to the bill 2. A contingency of £5,000 per annum has been included. At the end of the next five years, assuming it is unused, it could be applied to cover the cost of a further BID renewal 3. Overheads are calculated as a fixed percentage of the overall income, at a figure lower that than recommended by the BID guidance notes from the InterBanking Federation with which our business plan complies
“ Johnson Matthey is very proud of its involvement with Royston First and is keen to support it through a second successful term.”
www.roystonfirst.com
16 Royston First | Renewal Ballot Prospectus | 2014-2019
The BID area N J E MA
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Princes Mews Priory Lane Queens Road Rock Road Serby Avenue South Close Stamford Avenue Station Yard Sun Hill Tannery Drift The Warren Upper King Street York Road York Way
ER MACK
Kiln House Yard King James Way King Street Kneesworth Street London Road (Part) Lower Gower Road Lower King Street Lumen Road Mackerel Hall Market Hill Melbourn Road Melbourn Street Mill Road Morton Street Newark Close North Close Old North Road Orchard Road Palace Gardens
ELD THFI HEA
Angel Pavement Baldock Road (Part) Baldock Street Barkway Street Beverley Close Church Lane Coombelands Fish Hill George Lane Gower Road Grantham Close Green Drift Greenfield Green Street Heathfield High Street Jarman Way Jepps Lane John Street
A505
A1198
LDAM AV
The following is a list of the streets known to fall within the 2014-19 BID boundary:
B1039
BID BOUNDARY
Levy arrangements and a typical contributions table The BID investment levy will be the principal source of income for the BID, needed to meet the costs of the additional services identified from our research as listed on pages 8 to 13. Royston First will apply a levy of 1.75p in the £ on all rateable properties with a rateable value of over £2,500 located in the eligible area. This represents a reduction of 12.5% on the levy rate that was set for the first term of the BID. Those properties with a rateable value of £2,500 or less will pay a fixed contribution of £52 per year to be part of the BID organisation.
Example levy payments to Royston First from 2014: Rateable Value (RV 2010)
Levy per year at 1.75%
Levy cost per week
Less than £2,500
£52
£1.00
£10,000
£175.00
£3.37
£25,000
£438
£8.41
£100,000
£1,750
£33.65
NHDC have generously agreed to collect the levy without charging. They will issue the BID levy bills and collect the levy from March 2014 and transfer the entire sum generated to the BID's accounts where it is controlled by your nominated Board members. The BID levy is charged on an annual basis and is a compulsory payment, just the same as your business rates (it is enforced by very similar legislation). You are required to pay the levy if the BID renewal vote is successful regardless of whether or not you voted, or how you voted, if you did.
info@roystonfirst.com
Royston First | Renewal Ballot Prospectus | 2014-2019 17
The ballot process In the second week of January next year all eligible businesses inside the revised BID boundary described on page 16 will be asked to cast their vote to retain the Royston First BID Company for the BID for a further five-year period. It will be a formal and confidential postal ballot lasting 28 days, run by the District Council's Electoral Services Department. All those business ratepayers listed on the Council's database as at 23rd December 2013 are eligible to vote in the ballot (the date of the Notice of Ballot). Nominated individuals entitled to vote in the ballot will have one vote in respect of each hereditament occupied or, if unoccupied, owned by them in the area of the proposed BID. Ballot papers will be posted to all voters on or by the 9th
January 2014 and ballot papers must be returned to The Ballot Holder by not later than 5pm on the 6th February 2014 (the 'day of the ballot'). The BID will progress to a second term if both of the following tests are met: Of the votes received, a numerical majority of the rateable properties voting in the ballot must vote in favour Those voting in favour must represent a numerical majority by aggregate of their rateable values of the rated properties exercising their vote If the vote is in favour of continuing the BID then it will maintain its operations seamlessly from the termination of the first period of operation at the end of March 2014 to the commencement of the second on the 1st April 2014.
Monitoring, KPIs and communications How will we measure success?
Key Performance Indicators:
Royston First will deliver the projects and services as outlined in the activity section earlier over the next five year “life� of the BID. Each project and service will either build on what is already provided by the BID Company to date or introduce a new service now considered a priority by businesses.
1. Individual project delivery in relation to the Business Plan timetable
A key dimension to the BID proposal is the reassurance to all non-domestic ratepayers that they will see value for the money they contribute. Naturally this will be measured against each individual project but the overall impact of the BID over its five year term is important too. The level of progress made on all projects will be assessed during each year of the BID using a dedicated Key Performance Indicator for each individual project. We will also have a number of specific indicators for the whole of the BID and the town so that we can be sure we are moving solidly ahead vis-Ă -vis our stated ambition. All the KPIs will be independently assessed by an external auditor. The results of this will be reported back on a regular basis to BID levy payers through our recognised lines of communication (website, ebulletin, newsletters and meetings).
2. Recorded footfall patterns 3. User opinions of the town via on-street market research 4. Car parking performance statistics 5. Reported crime figures including theft, car-related crime and reported violence, especially associated with the industrial complex 6. The level of vacant units in the town centre
Core services monitoring: Regular monitoring and evaluation of the standards within the BID area will ensure that the services provided by public agencies are to the standard and requirements set out in the Environmental Protection Acts and other legislation/ schedules that define how some Local Authority services are delivered into the town. We will also plan to benchmark against other locations of a similar size and profile to Royston to check that we are making progress ahead of those places without a BID operation, and compare ourselves with the few towns and cities that have set up their own BID function. www.roystonfirst.com
18 Royston First | Renewal Ballot Prospectus | 2014-2019
Board structure, staffing and management of the BID As the BID is largely an investment by you as local businesses in the management of the trading environment around your premises, it is vital that control remains with those who are paying for the extra services. Consequently the Board members will be nominated by you and directly accountable only to you as the contributing businesses. It will have a private sector chairperson and aims to consist of 20 members (as a maximum) including at least 15 elected Board members representing the different sectors of the levy payers in the BID area. All members will be determined by ballot of the voters at the AGM with a third of the Board offering to retire each year by rotation. The Board will meet at least three times per year. There will be working groups, each led by a different Board director, for each major activity theme.
They will oversee the work of a BID Manager and supporting staff who will offer a consistently high standard and attention to detail in both supervising the delivery of our extra services and communicating regular updates and information about the BID and its progress. A stakeholders' report will be issued every six months to keep you informed of progress and there will be regular email bulletins sent out giving you the latest BID news updates. Our website will continuously stream information both to stakeholders and visitors to the town. The accounts for the company and its business plan and the delivery against it will be regularly assessed by external auditors and scrutineers to ensure maximum return on investment for those paying the BID levy. They will be audited independently on an annual basis and be presented at an AGM to which all levy payers will be invited. At this annual AGM levy payers will also receive reports on the BID performance during the year and can question the Board on the progress of the BID and the town, before new Board members are elected.
Risk analysis and Royston without a BID Royston First is a significant business undertaking with all the attendant risks that go with it. Its sphere of operations directly influences the commercial area that all businesses, both in town and on the industrial estate and their staff rely upon for their living. It is appropriate, therefore, to give due consideration to this challenge and to the risks associated with it. If BIDs across the UK do not develop and grow further, current national business trends indicate a gradual, sustained decline of commercial profitability in town centres like Royston. Competition across the region is already strong and recent investment decisions in Cambridge, Letchworth, Stevenage, Peterborough and Milton Keynes will increase their appeal, especially for the evening economy. Failure to respond positively to this competition will inevitably mean
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further decline in sales and overall profitability for many of the companies trading in the BID area. The BID combines solid business support and a compulsory payment scheme, which guarantees constant cash flow. Thus, it will be easier for Royston First BID Company Ltd. to control costs, plan over the longer term and rise to the expectations of its stakeholders. A financial contingency is contained within the budget meaning that, should the income from the levy fall short of those anticipated for any period, costs can be adjusted accordingly. At the end of the next five years, if no discernable difference is detected then a vote against renewal will simply “switch off� the BID and with it all business contributions. The Company is VAT registered to ensure that the tax can be reclaimed on expenditure. It also benefits from mutual trading status meaning that it is exempt from any Corporation Tax liability.
Royston First | Renewal Ballot Prospectus | 2014-2019 19
A message from the Royston Town Mayor: OUNCIL
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www.roystonfirst.com
The Royston First BID renewal team: David Campbell
Finance Director, TAP Biosystems
John Gourd
Site Director, Johnson Matthey plc
David Smyth Nigel Reader Geraint Burnell Chris Hollins Julia Brooks
Voting members of the Royston First Advisory Council: Alan Barlow Managing Director, ABA Consultants
Madeleine Jones Proprietor, Knibbs Meatsafe
Partner, UHY-WKH Accountancy
Alan Widdington Manager, The Stationery Cupboard
Proprietor, Borders & Bows
Bill Davidson Representing Royston residents
Margaret White Veterinary Nurse Royston Veterinary Centre
Royston Town Manager
Cath Boughton Proprietor, The Listing
Director, pfbb UK LLP
Cllr. Fiona Hill Representing NHDC
Communication team
David Smyth Senior Partner, UHY WKH Accountants
Rick Hollway Director of Projects TAP Biosystems
Ian Knowles Partner, Sharman Knowles
Rupert Matthews Proprietor, Fourways Accountants
James Keatley Director, NPK Development
Stephen Larcombe Partner, Limbach Banham
Jim Bullard Managing Director, Archers
Steven Jackson Managing Director, Enfield Electricals
John Gourd Site Director, Johnson Matthey
Susan Thornton-Bjork Town Clerk, Royston Town Council
Sharon Windebank Communication team
Nigel Reader Proprietor, Borders & Bows Oscar Sassoli Partner, Penn Sassoli
David Campbell, Chairman
Contact information: Please ring our answering service on 01763 878 242 or visit our website www.roystonfirst.com
The timetable The timetable for the next few months: By 23rd December 2013
March 2014
Notice of ballot
Levy bills issued
North Hertfordshire District Council Public Notice
Payable on receipt of the Demand Notice
9th January 2014
1st April 2014
Ballot papers issued
BID company formally commences second term
NHDC
Contracts ready for additional services provision
6th February 2014
1st April 2014 to 31st March 2019
Day of the ballot
BID term
Ballot closes at 5pm
The start date and end date of the BID
7th February 2014 Announcement of ballot result
ROYSTON F1RST c/o Town Hall Melbourn Street Royston SG8 7DA t 01763 878 242 e info@roystonfirst.com
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This prospectus is an extract from the Royston First renewal business plan. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that it is an accurate reflection of that business plan no liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions that may have occurred during the preparation of this document. Š Royston First BID Company Ltd
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