Expect no surprises from BID study

The rumpus over the uselessness of the Boston Business Improvement District (BID) has prompted Boston Borough Council to set up yet another talking shop which is sure to reach a foregone conclusion.
A report at tonight's meeting of the Policy and Projects Committee recommends forming a “Task and Finish” group to review Boston BID to see if it is operating effectively.
Despite the fact that the answer is glaringly obvious, we are certain that the outcome will be to suggest some minor tinkering with the BID’s motor, and then to allow it to potter hopelessly on - no matter what its members may think.
Let’s not forget that once a shaky “majority” voted to introduce the BID to Boston, every business in the area became a member compulsorily - even if they had not voted - and forced to pay a levy of 1% of their business rate to fund the BID’s “services.”
Over five years, it is claimed that this will raise £650,000 for the betterment of business in Boston - and it is also claimed than the same amount will be raised in matched funding.
Aside from the fact that this latter idea is pie in the sky, more than 30% of the levy money is earmarked for staff and administration costs.
So far, more than a year on, the best the BID has come up with is some basic litter collecting, a largely impotent “security” force in the shape of the Town Rangers, one of the most pathetic business “directories” we have ever seen, and running occasional errands for Boston Borough Council.
And, as a number of “members” have found to their cost, withholding their levy to protest that the BID is largely duplicating services which are already paid for in their business rates - which they were promised would not be the case - resulted in court summonses being issued by Boston Borough Council with the threat of a fine and criminal record if they stood their ground.
The link between Boston Borough Council and Boston BID is a cozy one to say the least.
Not only does the council act as “enforcer” for levy payments, it has a considerable financial involvement with the BID.
It has also dumped a number of tasks which were the responsibility of the council - including the community “hub” project - for the BID to “manage” ... thereby saving money as the expense of the borough’s business community.
This allows the BID to claim that it is taking on external projects, when the truth is that without the borough’s support it would be seriously struggling.
So, basically, it is in the interest of Boston Borough Council for Boston BID to continue, which is why we expect no surprises when the Task and Finish group announces its deliberations.
We think it’s called “democracy in action!”

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