From BID to worse...

Boston’s beleaguered Business Improvement District is at the centre of more controversy after a weekend which saw the announcement of the cancellation of the free concert in Central Park – on the orders of Boston Borough Council - into which the BID had intended to pour £10,000 in levy payers’ money. (See our Saturday blog for details.) 
Given the length of time since the concert was announced, and the fact that the event was fully planned and ready, there is speculation that the call to postpone it at such a late stage was more an attempt to defledct the anger of local businesses by saving them money, rather than the “health and safety-ish” pretext of the relocation of the market.
After our reports last week, one of the members of the Task and Finish group set up to look into the affairs of the BID – Independent Councillor Richard Leggott – wrote to Councillor Derek Richmond … the portfolio holder for town centre development and management, car parks, BID, markets and public toilets.
The e-mail appears below.

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His reaction was to suggest from the outset that the information in our report was untrue – but that has, of course, subsequently proved not to be the case.
Here’s what Councillor Richmond – a former right hand man of Boston MP Mark Simmonds, and one time chairman of Boston and Skegness Conservative Association “which has given me experience of local politics” – had to say …

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Among the achievements listed, we were especially taken by the BID “Area Champion Scheme.” In which “Eight area champions volunteered to represent their areas. Held first meeting in June - but only one Champion attended.”
Champion!!
Councillor Leggott was quick to pick up on aspects of the reply – including the apparently large amount of levy which has gone unpaid.
His reply left the ball firmly in Councillor Richmond’s court.


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Over the weekend, Councillor Leggott responded to a request from Boston Eye to comment.
“For a start, let me say that I would like our BID to be successful for the town and individual retailers,” he said.
“As a member of the Task and Finish group that looked into matters BID approximately eight months ago, I have kept up an interest in the reactive outcome to the borough council considerations, findings and recommendations.
“The recommendations were for a really serious attempt to address the communications problems within BID, expressing a hope that a two way flow of information could be implemented.
“BID is a member organisation and I know, from other work in such spheres, that unless members are part of a good two way communication system then members cannot appreciate what is being done and why. Nor can they express their approval, or otherwise, at the relevant times and place.
“Communication in such organisations should allow members to input right to and from the core.
“On hearing what has actually been happening since the Task and Finish group made its recommendation regarding this issue, I contacted Councillor Richmond expressing some concerns.
“I have been told that Councillor Richmond is aware of the ongoing communications problem and has been raising the issue at his monthly meetings with (unidentified) BID members. He has also assured me he will be raising the matter again at next Friday's meeting. Well done.
“However in such correspondence it transpires that two other problems are also 'dogging' BID.
“First; there seems to be much activity in the preparation of lists of 'forthcoming attractions.’ Whether such lists ever get turned into actualities is hard to say as a non BID member. Possibly BID members are better informed but ---?
“Second; it would appear that BID funding can be seen to be procuring services that would normally be provided by Boston Borough Council, paid out of council taxes collected. Am I wrong in thinking that the extra 1% levy was all supposed to be used to provide extra services?
“I feel sure that even if Councillor Richmond does not read your column (as he claims) then his fellow cabinet members, three of whom sat on the BID Task and Finish group, will be able to 'fill him in' on these matters.
But I fear that addressing other issues will be for nought if the lack of communications continues to sour BID members' thinking.
“And that would be a great shame.”
A much lengthier – and in some ways even more telling - email dialogue has taken place between Councillor Richmond and Boston businessman Darron Abbott – a strong critic of the BID – and it has led to some interesting disclosures.
There are too many to publish them here – but what they do show is that Councillor Richmond (pictured below left) appears badly out of touch with some of the issues he is supposed to be knowledgeable about.

In one message, Mr Abbott told Councillor Richmond: “I really do hope that you and the borough take the opportunity to call a meeting and ask the businesses what they think is wrong. Surely you and the council have a duty to listen to all parties; if you fail to do this it will demonstrate to the life blood of this town that they are not important to you as portfolio holder for the town centre, the conservative administration and the officers of the council.
“I hope you will consider my comments as I feel the businesses have had enough and could start to become vocal.
“Remember: ‘Conservatives are the party for business.’"
The response – whilst apparently conciliatory – was also barbed.
“I no objections to a meeting, and am willing to chair it, in fact I welcome every thing being out in the open, I will talk to BID about this.
“I can tell you that BID do a lot of stuff that is necessary for the Town and that in these times of financial constraints, we as a Council, can't afford to do, Boston would be a poorer place without them, what they do need to do is communicate better as I tell them every time I see them.
“If you knew the amount of work I am putting in with other parties to try and revive Boston after four years of neglect I am sure you would not be making offensive remarks regarding the Life blood of Boston.
“We are already making great inroads in the Council thanks to everybodys hard work as I am sure the Officers would be only too pleased to tell you. I would say every member of the Cabinet are putting in in excess of 40 hours a week.”
Note the line: “BID do a lot of stuff that is necessary for the Town and that in these times of financial constraints, we as a Council, can't afford to do…”
The rules governing BIDs are explicit – they are to use their resources to enhance the status quo – not to pay for services the local council can no longer afford.
In an earlier exchange about the number of business which had not paid their levies, when Mr Abbott raised the issue of the outstanding levy payments – which Councillor Richmond has described as “colossal” he retorted (with a copy this time sent to two of the council’s most senior officers) “Yes but that will change very shortly” – a line taken to mean that prosecutions may well be launched against non payers soon.
Readers will recall that Boston Borough Council is the BID’s “enforcer” and issues summonses for non payment which could see refuseniks fined and criminalised.
Councillor Richmond’s comment prompted this response from Mr Abbott: “Would it not be better to call a meeting to find out why people are not paying, there must be a reason. Perhaps people want their day in court, and I would advise caution. In a recent case the courts said the levy must be paid but would not allow the costs to be passed on. This set a precedent and could be very costly to BID and the council. Remember whose name will be on the demands and court summons and will look the bad guys. It will not be BID.”
Clearly, the council is now on the horns of a dilemma.
The situation surrounding Boston BID has deteriorated to a ludicrous degree – helped in no small way by a portfolio holder with responsibility in that area.
Perhaps a cabinet reshuffle would help?

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