Presentation from Gemma Nichols and Mark Clemson, Wirral Chamber, about the Business Improvement District.

Gemma Nichols and Mark Clemson of the Wirral Chamber of Commerce addressed the Committee in respect of the progress of the Birkenhead Business Improvement District (BID).  The BID had started in April 2016 as a result of a vote among businesses in a defined geographical area and was focussed on increasing footfall, making the area safer and looking better, and making the area a good place to live, work and shop. 

The BID had four key priorities, as listed below, and work undertaken in support of these priorities were highlighted to the Committee: -

·  A Safer, More Secure Birkenhead

Town Hosts operated within the BID area using their particular skills to better the area.  A multi-agency approach was used to address problems, and strong working relationships with businesses and the community had been developed.  As an example, the BID Team reported issues such as anti-social behaviour to the police and the Council for resolution, but action was also taken to address those areas where anti-social behaviour was likely to occur.

·  A Cleaner, More Attractive Birkenhead

The placement of hanging baskets and planters and the refurbishment of street furniture had contributed to making areas look good and be places to be proud of.  Clean-ups had been undertaken with local businesses and housing agencies, and civil powers had been pursued with the Council to address buildings and wider areas in poor condition.  Forthcoming work included development of proactive business community clean-ups and the provision of new bins.

·  Better Marketing and Promotion for Birkenhead

Approaches had been a mix of BID initiated activities or, mindful of resources available, activities in partnership with or complementary to those being developed by others.  The BID had supported a Commercial Property Showcase highlighting available properties and  presented as positive opportunities to potential investors, and had contributed to or undertaken complementary activities linked to events such as the Tall Ships, Tranmere Rovers homecoming, the Pyramids shopping centre summer activities and the Bigger Birkenhead Festival.

·  Better Support for Businesses in Birkenhead

The BID had initiated or promoted a number of schemes in support of businesses such as a collective buying scheme to secure better discounts for businesses, networking events to put businesses in contact with each other, and the provision of or signposting to business development guidance.

The BID Team was also engaged with Volunteer Wirral to establish a network to increase the number of volunteers involved in their local communities, the project being developed being seen as a means of instilling a sense of pride back into local areas.  With regard to the seeking of volunteer Town Hosts, Mr Thomas suggested the use of the term ‘Birkenhead Ambassador’ or similar, as opposed to the term ‘volunteer’ which might not be an attractive term to some people.  He further noted that the Little Centre was an accredited training centre that may be able to provide appropriate training for volunteer Town Hosts recruited.

In response to a query from a member of the public regarding parking charges around Hamilton Square, it was confirmed that the BID Team had had discussions with the Council on this issue.  The issue was not necessarily as straightforward as it might appear, for example there was a concern that free parking would be used by people travelling onwards to Liverpool, but consideration of options and dialogue with the Council would continue.

Further to a query from Councillor Steve Foulkes, the funding arrangements for the BID were advised.  Once businesses had voted to have BID in place, a levy of 1.5% on the business rates of those businesses in the agreed area was collected by the Council and given to the Wirral Chamber of Commerce to manage.  The annual sum was in the region of £400k, and was split to support the for priority areas.

The Chair, on behalf of the Committee, thanked the representatives from the Wirral Chamber of Commerce / Birkenhead BID Team for their presentation to the meeting.

RESOLVED – That the Wirral Chamber of Commerce / Birkenhead BID Team be thanked for the presentation and for the work being undertaken to enhance and promote Birkenhead.