1 week Ago By [email protected] (Victoria Fear)
Angry traders how vowed to keep on fighting against a new levy on town centre businesses - as it is revealed that more than £40,000 has been collected so far. Firms have launched a campaign to overturn the Spalding Business Improvement District (BID) after receiving their first levy demands - which have been backdated since September despite only back office work taking place. South Holland District Council is collecting the levy and has received 203 payments which total £41,050.
97 but is now chasing payments from those who have not coughed up the cash. The BID — which organisers promised could raise £1million over five years to help boost the fortunes of the town — was brought in as a result of a very narrow ballot last summer, with just one vote tipping the balance. A total of 115 votes were cast from a business community of more than 400 during the ballot, with 58 in favour.
One of the traders fight against the BID is photographer Julian Wheeler - who is pleased that not all traders have paid up. He said: “I am delighted as this shows that traders are incapable of paying the BID because of the current economic climate.” Mr Wheeler has highlighted that the recent BID newsletter states that income for year 1 should be £102,000.
He has also questioned that £35,000 for ‘looking great, welcome and safe’ along with £25,000 for marketing and promotion. He added: “No events have been planned or advertised.” Mr Wheeler has been running a survey of firms within the BID catchment area - which includes the town centre but also Commercial Road as well as residential streets such as Spring Street and Truro Way - after revelations that not everyone received their original BID ballot paper or its replacement.
The traders are hoping to overturn the result by questioning the validity of the vote but Mr Wheeler said that people do accept that the town needs improvement. Speaking after a traders meeting last week Mr Wheeler said: “It is the charge people are against. “The bills have suddenly landed on top of tax increases and the cost of living is still rising.
“It should be shelved with a view to the feasibility of it all and a proper investigation with businesses. “I don’t think anyone wants it but everyone agrees that the town needs improving.” The district council says it is contacting traders who have not paid the levy.
A spokesman said: “As of March 27, there have been 203 payments made totalling £41,050.97, which is a typical amount to have seen one month into the process looking at BIDs nationally. “Follow-up calls are now taking place where payment has not yet been received, as it would with council tax and all other council managed collection processes.
“All recovery action is taken in line with the relevant national regulations and, as with all collection processes, should this action be required to reach Magistrates Court for a Liability Order application the associated cost would be £82.50 per application / property owned to cover the additional resource used.”.
