Payers and members urged to put past behind them in hope of extending Dorchester bid (From Dorset Echo)
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Payers and members urged to put past behind them in hope of extending Dorchester bid
11:30am Thursday 24th January 2013 in News By Samantha Harman
CRUCIAL TRADE: South Street, Dorchester
LEVY payers and board members were urged to put the mistakes of the past behind them and vote yes to a new term at a meeting of the Dorchester BID.
Tempers flared as traders voiced their concerns over extending the scheme for another five years after 20 had signed a letter calling for an emergency meeting to address the board.
Chairman Peter Legg said extending the BID was essential to ensure Dorchester didn’t become a ‘little town’.
He added: “If you deal with businesss in Weymouth you will know they are desperate for a BID because they want to emulate our success.”
He added that concerns over communication were being addressed with each of the 420 levy payers being assigned to a board member they could go to with concerns.
Levy payer Ray Slater of The Salvation Army said: “How are you going to convince us to vote yes to another five years when you have failed against your key indicators on the BID mandate?
“This board is still the same board.
“We haven’t achieved any of our key indicators.
“I am not saying some of the things you have done aren’t wonderful, some have been very good.
“But when it comes to re-voting, how can you expect that when you have failed?”
Mr Legg replied: “I have only been on the board since April and chairman since November.
“And since November I have spent a lot of time arguing with people over mis-information and wrong facts.
“I am trying to get everything back on track.”
The ballot, which was originally pushed back from February 2013 until April, will now take place in June.
Mr Legg explained that should the scheme be extended, it will involve a hiatus that will last until September when a new board of members will be selected.
Malcolm Curtis of Redtale Holdings said: “To sit here listening to us air our dirty laundry in public is a real shame.
“I would propose that we put the past behind us and we move forward with a new board.
“We can forget this tenure and just remember all the good which the BID has done over the last five years.
“The town does look better.”
Dorchester Town councillor Molly Rennie told the meeting: “West Dorset District Council has agreed to give £15,000 for a new BID.
“I couldn’t believe you got that money knowing how difficult times are.”
She added: “That’s the trust they have put in, and if you don’t vote yes, you will lose so much for Dorchester.”
Comments(3)
CoogarUK.com
says...
5:51pm Fri 25 Jan 13
The BID likes to distance itself from the politicians but at the same time seem happy to take their (OUR) money and never criticise them.
“The town does look better.”
Apart from all the empty shops, charity shops, a huge multimillion-pound office block for WDDC, etc. perhaps?
ANinjaPirate
says...
6:43pm Fri 25 Jan 13
(I remember bringing up with a board member that we couldn't find out when board meetings were so we could attend - they never send emails or letters to tell you when they are and sometimes are posted on the website after they happen. I was then told this was my fault for not calling and asking them when meetings were. I don't believe that is a 'two-way-street' as the Chairman called it)
It is also a concern to see that the member responsible for the upset that caused the meeting still remains on the board, with no way for levee payers to vote them off.
Communication has been the key issue with this BID board since it began, and despite this issue being raised with them, it has not appeared on any minutes of board meetings. I believe they have lost the trust of levee payers and a radical shakeup is needed if the BID is to carry on. In theory a BID is a great idea, in practice this BID leaves a lot to be desired. They operate in a vacuum and do not represent their levee payers.
CoogarUK.com says...
5:45pm Fri 25 Jan 13