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BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS WORKING GROUP: FORWARD LOOK PAPER 04/07

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Introduction

With reference to the remit this paper is intended to map out the work required for the Group to fulfil its obligations.

Remit:

To bring forward proposals on how to establish Business Improvement Districts in Scotland, producing for Ministerial consideration:

• recommendations on the involvement of property owners
• recommendations on the introduction of BID pilot projects in Scotland
• draft guidance document on BIDs for consultation
• recommendations on the use of BIDs in rural areas

Meeting dates and agendas:

5 October

Agenda items:

• Jacquie Reilly attending next meeting

Aim: to update the group on the attendance of Jacquie Reilly at a future meeting

• Paper on regeneration work in Scotland

Aim: Update on progress to date regarding the brief guide on regeneration/urbal renewal in Scotland

• Update on COSLA paper on use of BIDs in rural areas

Aim: to inform members of the progress made by COSLA in relation to this area of work

• Euan Dobson paper on BID pathfinder projects

Aim: to agree an initial way forward regarding BID pathfinders

• Outline BIDs guidance document

Aim: to agree a draft outline guidance document, with reference to the ODPM guidance document, that would be suitable for use in Scotland. Additional issues which are not addressed in the ODPM document can discussed by the Group with the aim of agreeing a draft outline for the Scottish version by the end of the meeting

• Communication/Consultation methods

Aim: To agree ways of communicating the work of the group, particularly regarding the draft guidance document and work on BID pathfinders.

• Landlord briefing from the British Property Federation on involvement of landlords

Aim: for information/discussion

Agree:

• Whether to proceed with work on BID pathfinders
• A draft outline for the Scottish BIDs guidance document
• Communication methods

6 December

Agenda items:

• Update from Jacquie Reilly (BID Pilot Project Director) (tentative)

Aim: So members are aware of the challenges faced by the BID pilot projects in England, and the complexities of BID projects "on the ground"

• Scottish Executive paper regarding formal involvement of landlords

Aim: so members are aware of the legal position regarding the Tenant/Landlord relationship, and the complexities of involving landlords formally in the BID levy. This will allow the Group to either come to a decision on whether Scotland will legislate to involve landlords, or to seek further advice from external sources before reaching a final view.

• 1 ^st draft of BIDs guidance document

Aim: for the Group to agree any additional issues to be addressed in the document, and discuss any proposed amendments to the current draft, with the aim of Secretariat producing a 2 ^nd draft for circulation prior to the next meeting.

• Pathfinder BIDs

Aim: to report on work taken forward to date regarding the potential of Pathfinder projects, with the aim of identifying particular local authorities/businesses to take the work forward

• Paper from COSLA on use of BIDs in Rural areas

Aim: to enable the Group to agree an initial view on how BIDs can be amended to be of use in sparsely populated areas that have little or no business presence, and to agree any further work in this area

Agree:

• Way forward regarding formal involvement of landlords
• Latest draft of guidance document
• Identifying additional work in relation to Pathfinder projects
• To agree any additional work regarding "Rural BIDs"

17 January

• Draft report to Ministers setting out recommendations of BIDWG

Aim: to agree the broad outline of the group's recommendations to Ministers, in line with its remit

• 2 ^nd Draft of BID guidance document

Aim: to discuss any proposed amendments/inclusions to the latest draft of the guidance document

• Draft paper on Pathfinder projects

Aim: to agree a paper setting out the group's view regarding the potential of Pathfinder projects in Scotland

• Draft paper on modification of BIDs for use in rural areas

Aim: to agree a paper setting out the group's view regarding the potential of a "Rural BID" in Scotland

Agree:

• Outline draft report to Ministers
• Latest draft of guidance
• Draft Pathfinder paper
• Draft "Rural BID" paper

7 March

• BIDs Guidance Document

Aim: to agree the final version of the BIDs guidance document

• Report to Ministers setting out recommendations on "Rural BIDs"; BID Pathfinders; and involvement of landlords.

Aim: to agree the final form of the report

• Future of Group

Aim: to discuss the need for any further work by the Group with the aim of including any thoughts in the report to Ministers

Agree:

• Final guidance document
• Final report