Archived decisions

Winchester Business Improvement District

The Authority has agreed to support the proposal by the Winchester City Centre Business Partnership for a Winchester Business Improvement District (BID).   A BID is a partnership between the local authority and the local business community, the anticipated benefits of which include better management of the local evening economy by the development of a co-ordinated programme of activities to reduce crime and the fear of crime; improved community safety by extending the Shop-watch and Pub-watch schemes; and improved street management and access. 

The BID will be funded by a 1.5% increase on the business rate which will amount to £8,000 for the Authority's estate within Winchester.  Although the Authority was mindful of this additional expenditure within the context of a very tight budget, Members balanced the advantages and disadvantages of participation and, whilst there were some concerns as to the added value that participation would bring, decided to enter into these new partnership arrangements. The Authority has requested that a police representative serve on the BID partnership board.