GLA Group meeting with BIDs and business networks

12th December 2008

Provided through the London BIDs Programme, which is run by Partnership Solutions on behalf of the London Development Agency

On 12th November 2008 a meeting was held for BIDs with the GLA Group, chaired by Sir Simon Milton, Deputy Mayor for Policy and Planning. Senior officers from the London Development Agency, the London Fire Brigade, the Metropolitan Police and Transport for London were in attendance.  All the operational BIDs in London were invited, as well as some key business networks.    

During the meeting, Sir Simon made it clear that the Mayor recognises that BIDs and local business networks have an important role to play in tackling many issues in the current economic crisis.  These include ensuring areas are ‘looked after’ – giving confidence to potential investors, as well as to residents. BIDs also help to make London safer and cleaner – especially in tackling the fear of crime and low level crime through local visible policing.  Retail crime is a large and growing problem related to the recession being tackled by BIDs.  BIDs also provide an effective channel of communication - for the LDA and the Mayor’s Office to be informed of businesses’ concerns.

A number of topics were discussed; a summary of these is below:

The Mayor’s Economic Recovery Plan:
The Mayor is taking the current economic situation very seriously and plans to maintain investment through these tough times to ensure advantage can be taken of the upturn when it comes. The Mayor is talking to a variety of business organisations to identify ideas to support and strengthen London’s economy.

The LDA’s Business Plan:
The LDA’s Business Plan is being adjusted to ensure that the LDA delivers relevant products in the current economic climate.  The LDA is refocusing on three themes: Growth, Skills and Jobs.

Within these themes are five priorities - Energy and Waste, Olympic Park and Lower Lea Valley, Youth, Employability and Global Competitiveness.

The LDA Business Plan or LDA Investment Strategy 2009 to 2013 is now out for consultation until 26th January 2009.

Policing and crime:
The Mayor is focused on policing major transport hubs. There was discussion on how BIDs can work with the Police: for example, on counter terrorism programmes; and BIDs also provide a valuable channel of communication between the Police and businesses. There is a police scheme to encourage businesses to allow staff time off (8 hours per month) to train and work as ‘Specials’.  In return the Police guarantee that the employee will patrol the business’s local area.

Transport:
Transport for London are working to gain a better understanding of all the areas that BIDs are operating in - to help ensure that TfL is able to prov ide a valuable strategic level of partnership working.

Sir Simon reported that London boroughs will be given some TfL funds to spend without being tied to TfL priorities, which could provide an opportunity for BIDs to engage.

Sir Simon reported also that there has been a delay at the Department of Transport on the issue of co-ordinated roadworks in relation to the London Wide Planning scheme.  The Mayor has met with Geoff Hoon (Secretary of State for Transport) to try and
enable this scheme to go ahead.  As yet this issue is not resolved.

The empty property rate relief:
The Mayor’s Office is looking for examples where properties are being removed or rendered unusable to escape the charge - to assist with informing Governme nt on this matter.  BIDs and business networks were requested to provide the Mayor’s Office with details of where this is happening.

Crossrail and the business rate supplement (BRS):
It has already been reported that the GLA cannot offset BRS as this could jeopardise other funding sources going into Crossrail. However the GLA is keen to work with BIDs to reduce the impact of BRS on them, and to investigate how the GLA can make it easier for emerging BIDs potentially affected by BRS. For example:

• The GLA will request the Government to formalise the involvement of property owners in BIDs
• The GLA Group could work with BIDs to help ensure that GLA-planned projects in BID areas are publicised for their positive outcomes, as areas approach t heir ballots.  

GLA Consultation: Way to Go! Planning for Better Transport
The Way to Go! Document is the Mayor's vision of transport in the capital and is currently out for consultation. Views and comments are invited; these will be considered by the Mayor prior to drafting his Transport Strategy. Comments should be sent in by 16 January 2009.

The key questions being asked by the GLA on this document are:

• Do you generally support our principles for developing policy? If not, what other principles should apply?
• Have we identified the key challenges facing transport in London?  If not, what other issues should we be considering?
• We have emphasized an approach to encourage more people to walk and cycle. Do you agree with this?
• Are there things you think the Mayor should do to improve transport in London which are not identified here?

You can find the document and details of the consultation at:

http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/publications/2008/11/way-to-go.jsp

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