THE joint chairmen of Weymouth’s Business Improvement District have announced they are to resign with immediate effect.

It follows stinging criticism of the management of the BID, which came to a head at the recent AGM.

A statement released today states: “Following the AGM the joint chairs Alison Theobald and Alistair Clarke have decided in the interests of Weymouth and the businesses the BID represents that, rather than waste levy payers’ monies responding to a vote of no confidence in the senior management team, it would be better to resign with immediate effect from the board.”

The resignation of the BID’s joint chairmen comes as the Echo can reveal details of the organisation’s accounts, which were discussed at the BID’s AGM on November 18.

The annual accounts report covering August 1 2013 to July 31 2014 shows the organisation spent £42,719 on employment and staff training.

The BID collected £297,646 from levy payers in the town and spent over £75,726 on Weymouth events, including £19,295 on Christmas events, £12,500 on maritime events and £4,263 on the Halloween Spooktacular.

The BID also spent £17,418 on events management, of which £13,074 went to Christchurch-based company RLA Project Management for their ‘WE Welcome’-branded campaign.

A total of £38,533 was spent on advertising and marketing in the past year.

They had £109,366 ‘cash at bank or in hand’, which excluded nearly £40,000 owed by the organisation.

BID board members said they had made a number of decisions following feedback from levy payers, but in a potentially controversial move they announced they will not remove the four board members levy payers rejected in a vote at the AGM, and they will ‘remain in position in accordance with company law’.

Board members announced they would set up regular surgeries with the BID manager and at least two board directors, make the BID constitution into a set of management rules with the opportunity for levy payers to offer feedback, create a suggestions page on the website and create an online suppliers and services page where businesses can bid for contracts.

Steve Newstead will take up the post of Interim chairman and Tim Williams will remain as treasurer.

'PLEASURE TO BE INVOLVED'

Alison Theobald said: “I joined the board of directors to help instigate positive change.

“Due to recent events at the Weymouth BID AGM I now feel that I cannot continue as chairman.

“I truly believe that Weymouth does have a bright future if businesses, the local authority and Weymouth BID work together. I wish the BID every success in the future.”

Alistair Clarke said: “It has been a pleasure to be involved in Weymouth BID and work alongside a fantastic and committed board of directors.

“We have achieved so much over the past year; work that can be built on and will help deliver real benefits for the businesses in Weymouth.”