Backing falls short over drive on trade in Halesowen

Chamber of commerce chairman Wayne Edwards was seeking £6,000 of community funding to help him establish a Business Improvement District – BID – in the town.

But the six councillors who make-up the Halesowen North and South Community Forum had concerns about granting the full amount and instead agreed to pledge just £2,000.

BIDs are intended to deliver additional services to firms and to boost the local economy. Businesses put money into a central pot and make decisions on how the fund is spent.

Speaking after the community forum this week, Mr Edwards said: "I am disappointed. I feel the BID would offer the town huge long-term benefits and that has not been recognised.

"Ultimately this could bring great savings to Dudley Council and be hugely beneficial to the regeneration of Halesowen.

"The money would be at the level where people know how best to spend it. At the end of the day the council simply hasn't got the resources to spend on additional schemes."

For a BID to be formed, it must win the support of the majority of firms in the proposed area in a ballot. Mr Edwards was planning to use the £6,000 to finance 'high profile' marketing to form a strong case to put to traders.

Businesses pay in on the basis of their rateable value and it has been estimated a BID in Halesowen could generate £51,668 with a one per cent levy and £103,337 if it is set at two per cent.

The cash could be used to fund special events, more security or to promote the town generally and make it more attractive.

While the six ward councillors supported the principal of a BID, Councillor Karen Shakespeare said the money was being awarded on a 'speculative' basis as there was no guarantee businesses would back the proposals.

Councillor Nick Gregory also raised concerns about awarding the full amount applied for.

He said: "While I fully support the proposals and the regeneration of the town, I find it difficult to comprehend how we can spend almost half of our budget, which is for community groups, when it would directly benefit businesses and not those community groups."

Mr Edwards said he had already received positive feedback from firms in the town.

He added: "Since coming in as chair of the chamber my number one objective has been to get the footfall back into the town.""

Ward councillors suggested Mr Edwards seek a further £2,000 from the Belle Vale, Hayley Green and Cradley South community forum when it meets on Tuesday.